, I get terrible cramping pain in my lef... - Cure Parkinson's

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, I get terrible cramping pain in my left leg and my foot also curls up ,every evening,

linsoko profile image
50 Replies

It is very hard for me to fall a sleep at night. Does anyone have any kind of advice what i can do to help with the pain.. thank you

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linsoko profile image
linsoko
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50 Replies
BBPILOT profile image
BBPILOT

Hi Li,

May be two things, Leg pain could be Ham String

Foot definatly PD

Leg pain can also be SCIATICA SPONDIALOSIS ,Spine problems which I have

and tuck 1 shot, EPIDURMAL,

Good luck

BB66

linsoko profile image
linsoko in reply to BBPILOT

thank you

jenniferdunstan profile image
jenniferdunstan in reply to linsoko

For toe cramping and curling, I find standing tippy-toe for a minute or two stops the curling. Sometimes I have to repeat it before it goes away for awhile. Also, to stretch your calves by sitting down and pulling my toes with my hands toward me several times.

I hope this helps!

Jennie Lee

hilarypeta profile image
hilarypeta

I take a tonic water or quinine tablets...also bananas. I get them too! :)

WayneP profile image
WayneP in reply to hilarypeta

Stop taking quinine tablets ASAP!!!!! My Neuro told me that all doctors have been told to stop advising patients to use quinine as they it can be a serious health issue.

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday cautioned consumers against using quinine for leg cramps, warning that the drug could cause severe side effects, including death. Quinine, sold in this country under the brand name Qualaquin, is approved for treatment of uncomplicated malaria, but has a long history of use as a remedy for leg cramps, especially at night. In many countries, it is sold over the counter. Studies have shown that it can reduce the incidence of cramps by one-third to one-half but that as many as one in every 25 users can suffer serious side effects.

In a new warning to health professionals, the FDA said that between April 2005 and Oct. 1, 2008, it had received 38 reports of severe adverse events associated with the drug, including two deaths. Twenty-one patients had to be hospitalized because of severe bleeding due to a loss of blood cells called platelets -- a condition called thromobocytopenia -- and an additional 12 had bleeding in their mucosa. The agency believes many similar events went unreported.

hilarypeta profile image
hilarypeta in reply to WayneP

Thanks. I dont take them but dr prescribed them. Is tonic water ok?

WayneP profile image
WayneP in reply to hilarypeta

Tonic water is fine but there is one on the market with quinine added that should not be consumed.

This information was given to me by my neurologist at the VA and VA doctors are forbidden from prescribing quinine but the can be open for malpractice.

Your doctor should never have given that to you

hilarypeta profile image
hilarypeta in reply to WayneP

Excuse my ignorance but what is the VA? So quinine in any form is harmful?

WayneP profile image
WayneP in reply to hilarypeta

Veteran' Admin.

If you got malaria I would take it but other than that, no need. Plus they have shown it has no effects on cramps.

linsoko profile image
linsoko in reply to hilarypeta

thank you

Carrigan profile image
Carrigan

My husband has cramp also was prescribed slow release meds at night but didn't do much good, he just puts up with it i'm afraid, I am the cramp massager when needed xx good luck

linsoko profile image
linsoko in reply to Carrigan

You sound like a great , caring wife. thank you

Annie81963 profile image
Annie81963 in reply to Carrigan

Thank God for spouses! I dont know what I would do without my hubby.He makes PD less painful.Without the love and support of Bill, I would be lost.

in reply to Carrigan

I am also blessed with a spouse that massages my legs. You are a blessing!

Partner profile image
Partner

My partner's restless legs (not the same I know) are helped by a magnesium supplement at bed time - in fact magnesium supplementation generally may help PD muscle problems. Bananas are high in magnesium - see for example livestrong.com/article/5345...

I take Mg to help me relax an go to sleep. Many people swear by magnesium taken through the skin, which is supposed to be a more efficient way of taking it into the body -- do an internet search for 'magnesium oil' or 'magnesium clhoride + muscles (say).

I do hope this helps.

PecanPie profile image
PecanPie in reply to Partner

Magnesium works for me. I get horrible cramps in my legs, but with mag. supplement no more cramps. I just got back from a family vacation, did not bring my supplements and wouldn't you know it, cramps. I have also been told to use icy/hot on cramp but I haven't tried it.

linsoko profile image
linsoko in reply to PecanPie

thank you for the advice

linsoko profile image
linsoko in reply to Partner

thank you for the advice

Kadie57 profile image
Kadie57

Water, Drink more water and ask you doctor for a muscle relaxer, don't let you leg get cold either this what I have figured out from having rigidiness in my left arm and leg.

PatV profile image
PatV

I get it in the morning. 400 mg of magnesium at night. Toe curling is a bit of a problem for me in the morning. It goes away after meds and breakfast. Someone recommended a device called "yoga toes". I just have to put rigid sandals on so I don't trip myself. :) Oh yes and lots of fiber and fluid.

etterus profile image
etterus

Try stretching your toes up and back with your hands frequently during the day and before bed. Also try to wiggle the long bones in the forefoot up and down with both hands. If you can't, see if someone can do it for you. Maybe a masseur. Finally, perform runners calf stretches frequently... it's done standing, best at kitchen sink for safety. loosens things up for a decrease trigger for spasm and pain.

MagicMax profile image
MagicMax

I take Gabapentin 400 mg about 1/2 hour before bed and it stops the pain and makes me sleepy.

linsoko profile image
linsoko in reply to MagicMax

thanks for the advice

MaryChristine profile image
MaryChristine in reply to MagicMax

Gabapentin 300 mg every night 30-60 minutes before bed stopped my restless legs.

olpilot profile image
olpilot

I have had the same problem for 6 months or so and my neuro prescribed AMANATADINE, in a few days the problem started to ease on one pill in the morning. Now I'm on 2 daily one motning and one midday and I havr not had a cramp or foot trying to curl since. It is primarily a flu drug but has been used fot PD for years. It really worked for me. My neuro said the problem is dystonia.

linsoko profile image
linsoko in reply to olpilot

Thank you will ask about that

in reply to olpilot

Michael J Fox has added Amanatadine to his meds. I've used it for 2 years. It is very helpful.

TessL profile image
TessL

Linsoko............. you are having DYSTONIA. Common PD symptom. OPILUT...................... great advice. I started the AMANTADINE a couple of months ago and although I sstil have Dystonia but very moderatly and doesn't slow me down in the slightest. Before it was regular episodes that kept me from hiking and going on long walks and if I wasn't having a dystonia "episode" , I felt like I was about to. I take 100mg capsules 3X a day. No side effects no adverse drug interactions. Ask your nuero. - Tess

linsoko profile image
linsoko in reply to TessL

thank you for the advice

blessed4431 profile image
blessed4431

I had the same thing/ My PD Dr said like TessL said it is Dystonia and put me on Amantadine. No problem since

linsoko profile image
linsoko in reply to blessed4431

Thank you I am going to ask the doctor about that.

honeycombe3 profile image
honeycombe3

Welcome to the club!!! 8 yrs dx still suffer to varying degrees. Have just had X rays lower spine, hips, knees, ankles & feet. Awaiting results.As I'm feeling a bit better I'll try to keep posting.

tunde profile image
tunde

please go see the doctor that near you

linsoko profile image
linsoko in reply to tunde

Well i don't have health insurance til, October thats when my medicare kicks in.

SUEJ profile image
SUEJ

I have had same problem. I was diagnosed with P.D. in March of last year . You might want to ask your neurologist what he/she thinks about a prescription called ropinirole. This is to best of my knowledge a generic name. I still have the frozen twisted foot but not as often and for not as long of periods of time. I hope this gives you more information that you can share with your dr and good luck to you .

linsoko profile image
linsoko in reply to SUEJ

thank you, for this information but i was on that and i was getting very sick and it was not helping he took me off of it..

SUEJ profile image
SUEJ in reply to linsoko

sorry to hear that, and I know what you mean about it making you feel sick. If you find something tht works without side effects please let me know and good luck to you.

MagicMax profile image
MagicMax in reply to SUEJ

Ropinirole is Requip which is a weaker form of Mirapex.

Leftlegstuckagain profile image
Leftlegstuckagain

I had a stiffness in the lower left ankle, foot after walking a while...this was before I was diagnosed. Not particularily painful, but difficult to move, my foot would arch over like a capsizing ship. After a short rest it would disappear. I believe this was oner of the first physical signs of the disease I had. Good news is, dont get that anymore, like all the odd aches and pains associated with PD, they last for a while then go...

Loika profile image
Loika

I've found vitamin E 400mgs. ,one in the morning & one at bedtime ,plus 400 mgs. magnesium helps my leg & foot cramps.

linsoko profile image
linsoko in reply to Loika

i will try this , hope it helps thank you

Iron1 profile image
Iron1

Exercise and massage, as well as yoga and stretching all help Careful with Requip discuss with dr. and read up on the possible side effects..... hope you can learn some mediitation and any other techniques to ease this annoying symptom.

iron- aug 17

linsoko profile image
linsoko in reply to Iron1

thank you

2georgepheobe profile image
2georgepheobe

I suffer with terrible cramp in my feet and legs I take quinine tablet's from doctor they work lf you take them regular

Pelley profile image
Pelley

Acupuncture works for me. Meditation too

MylovedhasPd profile image
MylovedhasPd

Energy as medicine - I use reiki and tapping to help unstick trapped emotions, the physical manifestation of which is in whichever pain, cramp or heavy feeling he has. So if you know a reiki practitioner, accredited healer or eft practitioner ask to be taught how to do this for yourselves - it is so empowering. I can't count the number of times a combination of massage, or touch, or tapping has helped Beloved through discomfort, with the benefit that he doesn't need a med for pain, to my surprise. By the way, life has improved enormously in this last year since he went off pramipexole (now on low dose rotigotine that works for him) and takes a daily banana! When he took a (foot)bath the magnesium chloride worked fine. I use frequencies designed to alleviate symptoms also.

CheriinMI profile image
CheriinMI

Severe muscle cramping in feet, calves and front of thighs was one of my first symptoms of PD. Fairly well managed now with magnesium, E2, and I've recently added therapeutic massage. Sometimes just mildly stretching one muscle can trigger cramp in another muscle group, so therapist is using a slow, incremental process of releasing rigid areas using trigger point and other techniques, as she describes it, in layers. Often, it feels worse for a day or two before it feels better.

TheLordsWeapon profile image
TheLordsWeapon in reply to CheriinMI

started with left foot for me about a year ago, happens three for nights a week now usually between 3 and 5 am, very bad knotting/pain in center of left foot, I usually jump on stationary bike for 5-10 min...un knotts it...... I just think of the children at St Jude, and I have no problems,, God Speed

Idofotos profile image
Idofotos

Theraworx works great for me. Walmart amazon around $18

TheLordsWeapon profile image
TheLordsWeapon

yup.. let me see , ok yaa its 4am my left foot cramps are right on time 8(

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