Cramp

As mentioned before waiting patiently for my treatment to kick in and start making me feel better but whilst this is on going I've noticed in the last few months that I get cramp in either leg now and again and the pain is unbelievable. Ended up with a 2nd blood clot a.few years back after I had been experiencing severe cramp in my lower right leg. As I'm on warfarin and get tested regularly I know its not another clot. Anyone else experience severe cramps like this, could it be the medication I'm taking for the lupus or even the reaction my body has had to the medication.

[Northernd]

Don't mean to scare you but you can still get clots while on blood thinners, I'd see your gp just to be sure that it's not.

[Hidden in reply to Northernd]

Seeing my consultant tomorrow so will ask him

[Northernd in reply to Hidden]

What did your consultant say?, I hope you're okay

[Hidden in reply to Northernd]

Thanks for asking, he's recommended I drink a glass of tonic water at night and that should help. Need to get used to the flavour of tonic water 1st as it's not the nicest.

[PMRpro]

Have you tried magnesium supplements for the muscle cramps? It's the first line approach here in mainland Europe and the first thing the GP asks when you complain of cramp. They are safe to use with warfarin - my husband is on warfarin, gets terrible cramps and magnesium helps a lot.

[grannyjogger in reply to PMRpro]

I had problems with muscle cramps, mostly in my legs and feet. I started to use magnesium salts in the bath and have seen a big improvement.

[DJK99]

Yes I had dreadful cramp in whole of foot, ankle and up front of shin. Unbearable! I remembered I used to take magnesium/calcium/zinc by holland and barrett (now take solgar) and have one in am and 2 before bed. Hey presto no more cramp - and even now I’m on Tamoxifen which is well known for bringing on leg cramps. Please try it - and drink lots of water all day too (as I’m sure you do!). D

[Hidden in reply to DJK99]

Spoke to consultant today, the cramp is caused by a mixture of the kidneys being effected and the steroids, steroids have been reduced and advised to drink tonic water at night as it contains something called quinine that helps the cramps

[DJK99 in reply to Hidden]

The amount of quinine you’d need to make a difference could see you under the table if it’s a G&T ;). Yes i asked my gp for help initially and he prescribed quinine... but i remembered seeing somewhere it wasn’t actually prescribed anymore due to v bad side effects - I googled and it was confirmed side effects are absolutely not ok - so didn’t take them at all and took the magnesium etc etc and as i mentioned.. it went away instantly. Lack of magnesium brings on muscle spasms according to the sports article i read.. and which sent me off to H&B again. Hope the combo works.. but if the cramps carry on, as I’m sure my lack of magnesium is due to the steroids or metho or whatever else I’m on brought it on too, please try the mag/calc/zinc combo (full 3tabs a day) and let us know if you gain relief. All the best, D

[Hidden in reply to DJK99]

Thanks, I will do

[Imom]

Hi. I don’t know what you take for your Lupus but I take Plaquenil which is often prescribed. It is quinine. I recently developed sciatica and the pain shot down my leg with a severe cramp in my calf. I had it for three days and was in tears. I tried everything. A friend recommended drinking PICKLE JUICE!!!! I drank a shot glass full and the pain was immediately gone. It came back a little and I repeated the drink. It has not returned. I started physical therapy for the sciatica and mentioned this. He said his wife does the same. When pain is severe it’s worth a shot!!!

[Hidden in reply to Imom]

Nor on that drug, I'll give anything a shot if it helps in anyway