Night cramps..

[FionaGFG]

How many of you suffered foot, leg and calf night cramps pre diagnosis? And how many find these have now improved on a gf diet.

[MichelleM]

Yes, I suffered with leg and calf cramps pre diagnosis and now on a gf diet I no longer get them. The thing is, until reading this question here, I never made the connection!

[leslaki in reply to MichelleM]

I didnt make the connection either. it all makes sense now. Do you know though i have been to the docs a many times complaining about rls, not one has mentioned the connection with gf or taking vitamins etc. I have been coeliac for 20 years or so and since diagnosis it has not been mentioned since, i suppose having psoriatic arthtritis that kind of took over everything else. am at the docs today so will mention it, if they give me time, they always seem to rush me out, is it me???!!!

[Hidden]

I had a lot of cramps, not just at night, managed by high intake of calcium and some prescribed quinine. Post giving up gluten I no longer need to take calcium supplements everyday to control these.

[Liana]

Yes I had leg cramps, swimmy leg etc at night. I take potassium and magnesium. The Dr checks my levels regularly with blood tests to make sure I'm getting the right amount. The GF diet did help too ... no question. Ask your Dr. ..it may just be a simple vitamin or mineral deficit.

[Jacks]

OH has restless leg syndrome and after extensive blood tests now has to maintain a calcium/magnesium supplementation balance. Quinnine was prescribed for a while, but apparently it isn't great in the long term. Since I've been coeliac they've followed a GF diet most of the time and they do have less problems with RLS.

This website might be of interest as gluten is indicated:

therestlesslegsblog.wordpre...

[vince]

I did get alot of cramp not so bad though tingley hands and feet still here aalong will loss of feeling

[JaneyD]

I'm with Michelle-I'd never thought of the association but now you mention it-Yes! I had shocking night cramps and now havent had a single one since going GF. Now- here's one for the girls- did any of you suffer with sore boossoms? By that I mean not like when you're feeding a baby, I mean like a tenderness in the breast area? I've had it all my life and now its gone-miracle!! Another bonus to being Gluten Free

[carona in reply to JaneyD]

I wouldn't have made the connection either- had problems with leg cramps, circulation problems & general stiffness in all my joints from a very early age, t o when I was finally referred to the hospital at 17. I'd had Glandular Fever & things started getting worse. Had endless tests, even one for Gout- as one Dr didn't like the colour of my feet & toes!

Finally told that I had Arthralgia(?) The cause of the swelling & pain. Had problems in my late 20's to early 30's with frozen shoulders. Having to have Cortisone injections into the sockets to free things up.

Does any of this sound familiar to anyone? Anaemia was a problem from the onset of adolescence. So just how long did the CD go undiagnosed?

Thank goodness for the GFG's & posts from us all. Hope someone somewhere is taking note of our symptoms/problems in common. So the generations following will get recognised sooner & hopefully not end up with the long term damage & the ripple effect it has on other problems.

P.S.- JaneyD my boosoooms are fine ...lol.. ;D

[Hidden]

Had night and day cramps in my calves for ages before I was diagnosed. Now GF they have disappeared. Result!

[AnneB]

Pre-diagnosis I used to wake up with agonising cramps in the legs. I was told I was lacking in some salts but after diagnosis have had no problems at all.

[FionaGFG Administrator]

Great comments guys. So I wonder if atypical Coeliacs (who didn't have the cramps & bloating) pre diagnosis - yet who get night leg cramps from time to time are doing so a) as they've been glutened but didn't realise it or b) have low magnesium & calcium? Did you know that when the Drs run your blood tests the level of calcium in your blood is not a great indicator of what's in your bones. So a daily supplement (in liaison) with your Dr is worthwhile especially of you are lactorse or dairy free...

[meanioni]

Had them before going GF and still get them occasionally - you're right about Calcium levels - being dairy free too, this is an issue to be aware of.

Another practical, physical thing you can do if you have a cramp/feel like you are going to get one or just plain want to avoid one is:

- Stand about 2-3 feet away from a wall, facing the wall. Place your hands on the wall and lean into it (like doing a vertical press-up). One of the triggers for a cramp can be flexing of a calf muscle in the wrong direction, this exercise stretches the muscle in the opposite direction and reduces the likelihood of a cramp. You only need to do this exercise (leaning in) for a minute or two.

- Avoid pointing your toes - this is something that is more likely to trigger a cramp if you pre-disposed which is why a lot of people get them in bed (more likely to point your toes than in normal activity)

I have tried this for the last year or two and it works. Especially if you have had a cramp and feel like it could happen again.

[kay1982blru]

I've had really painful calf cramps as long as I can remember both day and night, and I can't actually remember the last time I've had one - and I've been diagnosed a year! But I didn't think there was a connection. I also got tingling sensations in my hands and arms pre-diagnosis (and still do sometimes), again didn't realise there was a link!