Cramps legs/hands

[mag123ben]

I'm on hydro, aspirin and B12. Got my walking up to 2 hrs daily to village and back. But had to cut down drinking so much . Now my cramps are back. My legs are on fire and pins and needles. my fingers go into claws. One minute I'm told walk more , but can't drink as no toilets around. A catch either way. Next week my go back to just walking the dogs , 1/2 Hour each one. Have two.

[hunter5582]

Sounds like a Catch 22. It is essential to stay hydrated when managing a MPN, especially when taking HU. The cramps sound quite bothersome. Suggest letting your MPN care team know that you are experiencing this issue as it may be related to MPN treatment.

Hope you are enjoying walking the dogs in the meanwhile.

[Mostew]

I would think 2 or three shorter walks will do you good. Maybe when at home brisk walking up and down stairs for a few minutes ? ( if you have stairs of course)

[RietFontein]

Hi mag23ben,I had dimilar problems (muscle cramps) after excercising.

A blood test reveal low magnesium levels.

I am now using a product called "Total Magnesium" (by Medford) - prescribed by dietician. It helps, however, every now-and-then I take a effervecent (slow mag) before bedtime which helps with better sleep (muscle relaxing?)

Ps. My bloodtest also revealed I need to use rehydrate more often. Just wondering if that may contribute to having cramps

Good luck!

[Strumin210]

Hope all gets back to somewhat normal. The stuff we deal with there seams to be not many normal days. I have early MF and ET and my platelets don't get under 700,000 most of the time. All I can suggest for the cramps is an uptake in water. But with no restrooms available that's what we call here in the deep south a " catch 22 ". Bye the bye greetings from LA. Lower Alabama

[Wendrew]

I also get cramps in legs, feet and hands. I usually down a banana for the potassium and that helps some.

[mag123ben in reply to Wendrew]

Have oats ,chia seeds, yoghurt and banana every day. Take B12 tablets and still cramps . Went on small 1 HR. walk this morning with dogs now sitting down with two feet burning and cramps. I know the answer, chop them of . But knowing me would have phantom foot cramps. Ha ha

[TB66]

Hi , I also have bad cramps in my hands legs and arms .. I’m drinking a lot more fluids than I used to but still have really bad cramps.. was told it’s all to do with ET /JAK2 and there isn’t much I can do about it. Am also taking daily Magnesium tablets. Perhaps you might be lucky if you try them I know a lot of people are . Take care

[mag123ben in reply to TB66]

I have ET/JAK2 will mention it on my next telephone appointment. Thanks

[Grateful333]

I agree about the magnesium and potassium. Be careful with the potassium as it can go too high. I also have at times changed my diet to only meat and vegetables and I will sometimes have electrolyte problems as a result. I was waking up nightly with cramps in my legs. After trying many many things including pickle juice and mustard, I landed on an odd combination.

I bought a ginger concentrate tincture from a health food store, and mix that with a tiny bit of cayenne pepper and cinnamon. Put a little bit of it in your mouth and swirl it around It will be extremely bitter and spicy. Then spit it out or swallow. There is something about the spicy bitterness on your tongue that causes the cramps to go away. Honestly I don't understand how it works but it does.

I didn't just make this up. There is an actual product and I can't remember the name of it, but it is for athletes who have leg cramps and need to get immediate relief during a marathon. Taking this would allow me to go immediately back to sleep.

But I cannot go without magnesium anymore I take two 400 mg capsules every night.