Does PBC cause body cramps?

[hypnovoice]

Does anyone with PBC suffer from painful body cramps, NOT LIMITED to calves, but could be anywhere, including the neck, abdomen, and femora. I take magnesium and potassium, but the only thing that seems to help a little is dill pickle juice. I don't know if these are due to PBC, meds I take, or what. Doctors aren't interested. They just brush it off. I would be interested to know if others with PBC are experiencing similar symptoms. Thank you.

[tthuynh]

I have neck pain but my doctors always tell me there’s no issue and to see a chiropractor. My x-rays show nothing alarming apparently. I’m not sure if it’s something to do with my osteoporosis or if it’s a pinched nerve, or maybe even PBC - who knows! But it’s frustrating that there is limited resources out there to help me determine what’s causing this. I’m interested to hear others thoughts too.

[OdinsMom]

I did before tx. Tried everything from magnesium, tonic water, super hydrating even muscle relaxers and when they decided to come nothing touched it. Heps didn't know why but believed it was PBC related. My joints would lock and deform eventually

[JanetHill in reply to OdinsMom]

Yes I had this same deformity after cramping in my hands. It was awful. Same for my toes. Has never after transplant

[Stub007]

I have been aware of my stage 3 PBC for three years; I am a physically active 82 year old male and have not observed any cramps that I thought might be related to that condition. I hope that this helps.

Don

[Mama63]

I'm in stage 1 of PBC. I have severe cramps on my right side and in my feet and hands(my joints even lock up) my husband helps massage them, but it doesn't always work. I have osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis in my spine so I can't go to the chiropractor. The doctor thinks the cramps are from the arthritis so there is nothing they can do.

[hypnovoice in reply to Mama63]

Thank you. I hope they get better. Dill pickle juice really does help my cramps, but if yours are caused by arthritis, maybe it would not be helpful for you, but may be worth a try. One can drink it right from the jar or order Pickle juice shots . I have heard that PCB also affects the cognitive function of the brain. Do you know anything about that. It seems doctors just focus on PCB effects on the liver and not things like the brain, etc.

[Sanov]

I've also noticed strange cramping in my feet, calves, hands and other areas after being diagnosed with PBC and AIH and starting Urso . And sometimes the cramping causes loss of smooth muscle function for a few minutes. Not sure of the cause though:/ I'm also experiencing pretty constant dizziness... mostly mild, but sometimes more intense. I'm wondering if this is a med side effect or PBC.

[OdinsMom]

I had them that literally broke my finger and pointed my toes straight up. I was stage 4. When I started decompensating they got worse. Didn't matter what I took they would come randomly

[hypnovoice in reply to OdinsMom]

I am so sorry. They sound like the worst ever. I hope you find something that can alleviate the pain and cramps you are suffering. I was already on Magnesium and pickle juice when my doc gave me an rx for potassium, which somehow seemed to help stop the cramping or at least the time in between episodes.

[OdinsMom in reply to hypnovoice]

Thanks but none now as I'm 6 yrs post tx. None of that worked for me even was on flexoril

[mrspeffer2]

Good Morning...OMG! those cramps are the worse. Weird how they appear out of nowhere too. I have noticed that on days that I do not consume enough liquid, they are worse. The Pickle juice is really salty, right? Perhaps an electrolyte imbalance. Low calcium tends to cause hand cramps, low potassium/magnesium seems to cause the lower extremities to cramp up. I use an electrolyte powder a couple of times a day to keep them at bay. If that doesn't work, I have found taking magnesium glycinate works fast. Moist heating pads too.Be well

[hypnovoice in reply to mrspeffer2]

Thank you. I am kind of between the devil and the deep blue sea here as cardiac wise I am told to limit my water and salt intake and, hepatic wise, just the reverse for my liver. I was already taking magnesium and calcium and pickle juice, but when I was prescribed potassium for my heart that seemed to decrease my cramping episodes. It seems highly possible to me from the replies I have gotten that the cramps are in some way related to the PBC as so many people are experiencing them.

[mrspeffer2]

The electrolyte powder I use has sodium, calcium, and potassium. My husband has heart issues too and he uses it with great results. I use Jacked Factory HydroSurge in the stevia formula. Hope you find the answers you are looking for. Yes, this PBC causes lots of strange phenomenon in our bodies...Be well

[hypnovoice in reply to mrspeffer2]

Thank you. I will give it a try.