calf and toes cramps

[Geeforce99]

hi everyone, I have been taking steroid prednisolone for a lupus flare up which occurred after covid and now post covid. I have been getting the worst leg cramps and leaves me struggling to even stand up. I read the steroid can deplete your body of potassium so have been having potassium rich foods in hope it helps and drinking more water. Does or has anyone else have or had this issue on these meds it only started day 5 of taking medication, now have to put shoes on in bed or toes cramp up so bad jolt makes me sit up. It also has on occasion affected last two finger on both hands. I look forward to hearing from anyone thank you for you time 😃

[PMRpro]

Much more likely to be a magnesium deficiency - also possibly due to the pred. Try taking a magnesium supplement - not too much at a time or you may get the runs. Alternatively, there are sprays and oils for topical use or use Epsom salts as a foot bath if you can't face using them in the bath.

[happytulip in reply to PMRpro]

I agree but would go for an oral spray. I still shudder at what the magnesium tablet supplements did to me.

[PMRpro in reply to happytulip]

oral or topical???

[happytulip in reply to PMRpro]

Oral spray, although after a recent post I have purchased a topical spray. Jury is still out on the verdict. 👍

[PMRpro in reply to happytulip]

That is a new one on me!!!

[happytulip in reply to PMRpro]

Oops, I made a mistake. It's not magnesium oral spray that I bought recently, it was vit D. I'll blame brain fog. 😬I have recently bought magnesium spray to be sprayed directly onto skin.

I have had painful legs and lower limbs and muscle cramps with a flare recently and my potassium was low and was found to be the cause. I wonder if that could be the cause of the pain? It might be worthe getting bloods Geeforce99 ? It's easy to get dehydrated after this recent weather.

HT 🌷

[Geeforce99 in reply to happytulip]

Hi happytulip and PMRpro, I hope you both have a better day with your health, no problem I take vitamin d3 spray it works quicker than pills and was researched by Cardiff university, I have not used the d3 spray as I tried magnesium in multi vitamin my partner takes she said it’s got no GMOs no fillers no artificial additives, which gives me 27% daily dose of magnesium I also sprayed my toes and feet two sprays on each, I am not quite as bad and seemed to sleep deeper once eventually got to sleep so thank you for advice and I am really hoping it is better tonight too. Take care 😃

[Broseley]

Hi Geeforce99, I had foot cramps when I started pred for PMR. I was on 40mg. I only had to flex my toes to kick off the cramp. I have tapered my dose and I am now down to 7mg. I haven't noticed any cramps since 10mg. However I do take an Mg supplement, so not sure which is the remedy. I suspect it's the lower pred dose, as I've taken the Mg right from the start.

[PMRpro in reply to Broseley]

Interestingly - I had cramps like that with PMR - not with pred, long before I was put on that. Pred helped.

[Broseley in reply to PMRpro]

I had them too before starting pred, but the pred made them worse. Now I don't get them at all.

[Geeforce99 in reply to Broseley]

Hi Broseley I did have cramps before starting the prednisolone but nothing like what they have been also fingers still affected today seems odd. Post Covid will not go been six weeks now any other people have this ?

[Geeforce99]

Hi BpDoctor I am on blood pressure meds for hypertension ramipril and prednisolone, I had a blood test last Wednesday to check cholesterol and the usual not sure what k is your referring too? Vitamin k

[Krazykat26 in reply to Geeforce99]

K is the chemical symbol for potassium 🤓I only know this coz I questioned it in school many years ago n said it was stupid..surely potassium starts with a P Sir!! 😹Think I got extra homework for that one 😁🌈😽😽xx

[PMRpro in reply to Krazykat26]

Did he tell you WHY it was K? Kalium, the German word ...

[Krazykat26 in reply to PMRpro]

No he didn't Pro 🤗Thank you. I learnt more about it in nursing with the use of diuretics such as Frusamide-K the k being to replace potassium which is depleted alongside the drug. Dandelions however are diuretic without leaching the body of potassium coz they contain K 🤓💜🌈😽😽xx

[PMRpro in reply to Krazykat26]

"Potassium was called Potassium (and Sodium Sodium) by Humphry Davy, who first isolated both; it was then renamed Kalium in Germanic countries because of a previous naming proposal by Klaproth, who was the first to show that potassium carbonate and sodium carbonate were different."

Too many Ps and a shortage of claimants for K no doubt

[Krazykat26 in reply to PMRpro]

Wow thanks!! 🤓 Every days a school day 💜🌈😽😽xx

[Geeforce99 in reply to Krazykat26]

Hi Krazykat26 and PMRPro thank you for that and information all good 👍🏻 be glad when I am off prednisolone affecting thinking and memory unless it’s post Covid still no idea 🤷‍♂️ 😃

[richblessings]

I have sjorgrensvand get this problem at night so bad it's sprains my right ankle at times. The GP prescribed Quinine Sulphate tabs which help. I don't know about side effects but it does help a lot and stops it.

[Lemrac66]

Can anyone advise I have systemic mastocytosis..and myloplastic syndrome.I was started on chemo in Feb. For myloplastic.

Then in April I was told to stop .as guys hospital said I also have the other one aswell.

Went to guys in July. They said they will contact me in 2 weeks and a appointment in 6.

Myself and my doctor can not get hold of anyone at guys

The hospital where I wS diagnosed with mylo.

Gives me some pills to help me sleep.

Mental health care gave me different pills to help me sleep.

Neither works. Now hospital told me take what mental health have given me untill I hear from guts hospital

But one week left.

Who can advise me about guys hospital.

Carmel

[Geeforce99 in reply to Lemrac66]

Hi Lemrac66Sorry to hear of your illnesses, have you tried calling for advice on this number got on Google Guys hospital reception: 020 7188 7188, extension 56805. Sorry can’t be of more help.