I have a question for those taking Singulair ( Montelukast Sodium)....

[Willow7733]

I have noticed that I get leg cramps during the night when I take this medication, and was wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them? I have had the leg cramps before, and stopped taking the medication for a while, and the leg cramps stopped. Then, when I started to take the medication again, they came back. The pills are helping me breathe better at night though. I work long hours and need to get good sleep when I can, but this is really painful and really affecting my ability to get good quality sleep. Just wondering if this is a typical side effect??

[starveycat]

I am not taking the same medication you are, but there was a post about cramps a while back and they advised eating a banana regularly, just a thought

[Willow7733 in reply to starveycat]

I was thinking of doing that...because I am sure I may have a potassium deficiency, but I am very allergic to bananas. There much be another way of getting it. Maybe through a supplement.

[MommaMich]

I take Singulair and get leg cramps, I don’t know if that is the cause of my cramps. There is a product called Theraworx (it’s a topical foam) works better than I thought it would. My pulmonologist recommended a supplement called Myocalm while it did work, it was a bit costly, I switched to a magnesium supplement and I rarely get the cramping anymore.

[AsthmaSufferer]

I too was advised take a Magnesium supplement when my legs cramp (and it works). I also drink 1/4 cup juice with 3/4 cup water every day. My nutritionist advised that everyone should do this to prevent dehydration (of our red blood cells), which I have found that it works. I also take the generic for Singulair to help my breathing during night, but do not know if it causes cramping. Good luck, as leg cramping does hurt - when it starts, try to stretch leg muscle (and move back and forth) or stand up on foot and leg ASAP.

[Willow7733 in reply to AsthmaSufferer]

Omg does it ever hurt. One leg will cramp up, then just as it is getting better, the other starts! It hurts so bad, I have trouble breathing through it. All I can do is try to relax (which is nearly impossible). Yesterday, while out doing errands, it happened while I was driving! Scared me that is for sure. I am going to take a supplement and see how that helps because the Singulair is helping me during the night. (Less coughing).

[AsthmaSufferer in reply to Willow7733]

You are having scary leg cramps, then (especially not safe while driving). Glad you're taking the magnesium supplement. You can also soak in a tub of magnesium salts (I will add up to 1 cup to my bath water - I just fill tub up while taking shower and then soak in tub for up to 5 minutes afterward). Also, you may be severely dehydrated - please consider drinking 1/4 glass juice with 3/4 glass water each day. If your juice already has water in it, then no need to add water, of course. If you will do this once a day, you may notice that your leg cramping will go away. Also, drinks with caffeine (and also alcohol) dehydrate us. On the other hand, caffeine helps asthma. But, I notice whenever I drink too much regular coffee, my legs and feet will start cramping and so I immediately will drink a glass of juice+water. It really works. In addition, I truly believe in Kineology muscle testing. If you know of a nutritionist or a Chiropractor who offers this service, they can tell right away any nutrients your body may be missing. I have gone to a nutritionist who practices Kineology after a bout with cancer 6 years ago (with chemo, radiation & surgery), and do believe in muscle testing. Best of luck to you.

[HikesWithDogs]

I have been taking Singulair for 5 years and I do not get leg cramps. In the last 6 months or so I have been experiencing nerve pain in my left foot and ankle at night that keeps me awake but if I take 1 50 mg Tramadol for it, I can sleep. The first time I took Singulair I got a terrible headache that didn't go away with pain relievers for a couple of days and I blamed the Singulair and stopped taking it even though my doctor told me Singulair wasn't he cause. About 6 months later my allergist told me I needed to take Singulair and I didn't get the headache again so it could be something else causing the leg cramps.

[Willow7733 in reply to HikesWithDogs]

I am thinking maybe so. I don’t want to stop the Singulair because it does help me. I am going to try other things first...like supplements and getting enough water through the day.

[Suerkaplan]

My leg cramps are helped by Vitamin E. My PCP told me to take them after learning I already take 500 mg of magnesium a day. I started at 400 mg and now take 1200 mg a day as that is the amount at which I no longer get the leg cramps. Good Luck!

[Phrankenstrat in reply to Suerkaplan]

You take 7 capsules of vitamin E per day?

[MarilynSakkis]

I took motelokust 2 days and had to stop immediately....made me too anxious.

I have copd, asthma, and bronchiatitis....

I use an acapella devive 2x daily and lots of supplements...

if neededI use inhaler...also have food sensitivity that can go into asthma.

I'm a yoga teacher ,71 years old.

Some great days...yoga helps a lot.