Lower leg cramps

[Ruby_sommer]

Daft question,I,m 10 weeks into inj.methertrexate last few weeks upon waking been getting terrible leg cramps,scared of moving when I wake up as they really are bad.don,t know if it,s related to mexx.anyone else had this problem?

[Hidden]

Oh my, leg and foot cramps have been the bane of my life for ages! I've been taking Mtx on and off for over 4 years, mostly on. Since 2014 I've also been taking Humira. I do get breaks from cramp at times and I reckon they correspond with the periods when my PsA is particularly well-controlled rather than being anything to do with Mtx. The time when cramp was at its worst was the year or so before diagnosis i.e. before taking any drugs. For a while then I was working a long way from home, staying in a hostel with thin walls. I'd hop around my room at night desperately trying not to scream with the pain! Over the years it has got much more bearable, at least.

My rheumy says that people with inflammatory arthritis just do suffer with cramp. In which case I think it's a tad more complicated than simply being dehydrated, though in healthy people I believe cramp is commonly blamed on that. But we do need to drink plenty of water anyway while on Mtx (helps prevent side effects) so I'm sure it's a good idea to check your water intake.

Exercise, good nutrition, plenty of water .... I think all these things may help minimise cramp as well as all the other unwelcome bits & bobs we have to deal with.

Do you drink at all? When I do drink alcohol my cramp is worse for sure.

[Leonwp]

The cramps when on mtx can be incredibly painful, its like someone sticking a knife in your calf and yes it makes you freeze with fright. Sorry to say i found it to be one of the nasty side effects but i hope for you the benefits outweigh the problems

[Hidden]

Hi I also suffer with bad cramps in my legs and feet, I think it is something to do with having RA, as I take sulfasalazine for my RA and get these awful cramps. So may not necessarily be the mtx. Hugs.

Lady B 😊

[mason]

hi i get bad leg cramps when i am in bed at night i cant take quinine so i asked my doctor i saw an older doctor his advice was use soap i was confused he laughed he said get a bar of soap any kind and put it under you bottom sheet and leave it i have tried this for a week and i have not had cramps every month get a new bar the old bar scrape of the dry soap and use it it works ,try it it worked for me ,

[Ruby_sommer]

Well.can only try.will let you know how it goes 🤔

[mason in reply to Ruby_sommer]

hi ruby well its still working for me i used to get very bad cramps you know they start in your toes then move into the calf your calf goes rock solid its agony .but since i have put the bar of soap near my feet under the bottom sheet no more cramps good luck hope it works for you ,and any one else xxx

[Hopeful1]

I am not on Mx but have found a magnesium supplement stops leg cramps for me. it was suggested in a health food shop and I know it works for others. As always, check with GP.

[andyswarbs]

I find I am at more risk from cramps lying on my back with legs straight. Try lying to one side or with knees supported slightly.

[Scottiedottie]

Cramp can be associated with lots of health conditions ...We always drink tonic water with a dash of lime juice every evening and have 1 bag of salty crisps a day as well as the usual drinking plenty of water during the day

[Coastwalker]

Check ALL your medication's 'side effects' Rubi_sommer.

An Asthma inhaler was actually causing not only my Husband's Asthma (a side effect listed,) but also causing chronic lower leg cramps for two years before we worked it out. Two years of suffering side effects of drugs that was meant to be helping him.

Not saying it will help you Rubi, but just another possibility to look at.

[Whiskers64]

Whiskers, Hi Sorry about leg cramps to which I also suffer on & off. I tend to agree with Lady B as I too am on Sulfersalazine not MTX & think it's an effect of the RA but you must mention it to your Rheumy when next you see them. Hope you get some clear answers soon

[mary4444 in reply to Whiskers64]

dont know if this any help to anyone rheumy told me to buy indian tonic water as it has quinine in it but it must be indian check on the bottle and drink before u go to bed very good for the cramp best of luck xx

[beeckey]

I also get really bad cramp back of leg and foot but also what feels like cramp in my back ribs and jaw need to watch how i move

[Fcrooks]

Leg cramps drive me silly at night and I often get up and walk around to trying and get the circulation moving. I'm now taking magnesium before I go to bed and elevate my right foot as I have RLS (restless leg syndrome). Prior to diagnoses of RA 3 years ago it was my right leg that kept cramping up especially when driving any longer than 45 minutes. I'm doing better at the moment but will not stop taking the magnesium. Hope you find something to help you out as it can really interfere with sleep etc.

[Kariss]

Hello, I'm new on this forum and was diagnosed with RA about 6 years ago but have probably actually had it for about 10 years. I'm on methotrexate having failed with others and my RA is always active, never a break, (mostly hands and feet). Your post sounds just like me - the lower leg cramps are excuiating - the pain from the last one I had lasted over 2 weeks and I eventually went to the doctor just to check I hadn't got a thrombosis. Sadly I can report that I've had cramps even before being put on methotrexate, but everyone is different so that doesn't mean it's not your trigger. After a bad attack I too am afraid to stretch my legs when I wake and feel terrified of another attack!

For me, keeping my lower limbs warm at night, (hot water bottle, socks, pj's etc) really does help, as does increasing salt in my diet, (luckily I have low blood pressure). If you look online there are also simple muscle stretching exercises you can practise which are supposed to help relax the big leg muscles.

Good luck, hope some of the tips work !