Cramp

[Stifffingers]

Do you guys suffer from cramps. I keep getting specifically in my toes on my left foot only.

Do you take anything to help ?

Happy New year to you all , may it be healthier & pain free .

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Pred causes the body to lose calcium and magnesium through the kidneys and low levels of either can lead to cramps. The more likely is magnesium and it is worth increasing the amount of magnesium containing foods in your diet or adding a magnesium supplement to see if that helps your cramps. If it doesn't - ask the doctor, but here in mainland Europe that is the first thing our GP will suggest,

[Marijo1951 in reply to PMRpro]

A good soak in an epsom salts bath is a lovely relaxing way to absorb some magnesium.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Marijo1951]

It would be if I were in a postition to get out of a bath! Haven't been in a bath for the best part of 14 years...

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

Neither can I although it was one of my greatest pleasures to soak in warm soapy water with a sprinkling of perfume in it. HOW I miss it!😟

[Marijo1951 in reply to Constance13]

Before I was diagnosed and was stiff and in pain, I made the mistake of getting (with some difficulty) into a nice deep bathtub of warm scented water. Then after half an hour of bliss it was time to get out... I was alone, hadn't taken my phone in with me and out of habit (and quite unnecessarily) had bolted the door so, even if my daughter had eventually wondered what was wrong and come round to check, she would have had some trouble to get in to save me. After a number of painful efforts, I gritted my teeth and forced myself over the side. It took me hours to recover.

However, since I started on pred, I've been able to get in and out the bath with relative ease. Obviously I have to count myself lucky...

[Marymon in reply to Constance13]

Me too, I have my daughter here from US, when she was here last year thought I would try a bath with rescue near at hand and with both knees replaced.

Ooh we did have a laugh AFTER she had hauled me out.

Have toyed with idea again, but thought better of it. Don’t want to do her back in.

Have toyed with having a crane installed.

Always feel envious when others mention soaking in a 🛀 I still get tempted and buy

buy luxurious bath oils and soaps, at least my occasional guests are pampered.

[piglette]

I keep getting cramps more in my right leg and foot though. My GP gave me quinine sulphate which is brilliant.

[dancersize]

I get spasmodic pain in one toe on my left foot and have since starting pred. It's the one next to my small toe. I thought it might be a pinched nerve or caused by shoes I was wearing (although it happened in various shoes.) I take a couple of Panadol oesteo and puff a bit. Sometimes removing the shoes does ease it. Thank you for the info on magnesium PMRpro. I occasionally take a supplement. Maybe I should be more regular with that.

[JanboC]

I have suffered from really bad leg and foot cramps since being on pred. I drink low calorie tonic water, about a glassful, before bed every night , and very rarely get it now. It's the quinine that helps. I also keep a bottle at the side of the bed, just in case.

[Pym1 in reply to JanboC]

Doesn’t quinine need gin with it (and possible a little ice) to work properly? 😉

[JanboC in reply to Pym1]

Ha ha, yes of course! That's what I have before the one I have before I go to bed lol 😁

[Pym1 in reply to JanboC]

Hoping the bottle by the bed refers to the tonic and not the gin. 😂

Good luck for 2019, sometimes think reactions to PMR and associated medications seem to depend on the luck of the drawer. I’ve been really good and resolute since diagnosis in September ‘17 but I’m battling to get below 5.5mg per day and I’m getting fed up with it.

Best regards.

Pym

[JanboC in reply to Pym1]

Yeah, unfortunately lol. I was diagnosed with GCA in April 2018, down to 17.5mg. Hang in there, you just have to be patient, your time will come. Good luck to you too. I am quite surprised you have got so low so quickly! Jan

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pym1]

After 14 years I'd be ecstatic to be at 6mg...

[Pym1 in reply to PMRpro]

Just read your background again. Yes, I’ve been lucky so far - great commiserations with your journey.

I had an MI at 42, followed by stents 20 years later. Still have to be careful about blood pressure and I’m not sure that statins plus clopidogrel go well with steroids.

Still, as a laconic Northern friend of mine says when asked about his health. ‘Above ground’!

Long may it remain so!

ATB

Pym

[patriciawhite]

I get quite severe cramp in the night sometimes ,It comes in bouts ,I run the shower on my legs when it is very severe . My doctor says that wont help but hey ,I f I think it does .Then it does and it certainly does no harm .

[panda22]

I use to get really violent cramp in my calves. They use to make me cry.

eventually the doctor prescribed quinine tablets. I take one a night and now very rarely get any cramps.

[Jeannie29]

I drink tonic water before bed, and massage magnesium oil onto the soles of my feet, I find it really helps

I wish you well

Happy New Year x

[Jayge]

I get toe cramps and legs too, I heard magnesium. Tried it and they disappeared for a month but despite taking magnesium, they are back.

[ipsidipsy]

This may seem strange, but my physiotherapist advised a squirt of lemon juice sometimes helps - it does for me. If your stomach can take it of course.

[Pym1 in reply to ipsidipsy]

I’m definitely getting a message here. Tonic water (quinine), lemon, ..... keep going 🍸🍸

Then relax🙂

[JMTS]

It is interesting to read everyone's comments about cramps - I had a smile on my face about the baths it reminded me of myself, I take my mobile and also put a rubber bath mat in the bath so I won't slip - I can get in but it is the getting out - I also put a wet face washer along the edge of the bath so I rest my arm on it when I am getting up so it won't slip. I am coming up 82 years of age still doing voluntary work. I make up a spray bottle full with magnesium Flakes and distilled water, keep it and a towel beside my bed if I get a cramp during the night which isreally severe i Just spray the magnesium on the area -rub it in and bingo the cramp goes I find that works for me I have been getting cramps since I suffered badly with CFS but then from what I have been reading on this site and the latest info elsewhere I think most of my problems come from my Thyroid - I swallowed radio Active Iodine 40 years ago in which they over dosed me. I have never been the same since.

[Kael-gca]

I am a GCA newbie, diagnosed in October. On 35mg Pred at the moment and cramp is a problem to me. My Rheumy and Doctor both looked surprised and suggested Quinine tablets but reluctant at the moment due to the cocktail of precautionary drugs I am already taking. I get up two or three times a night with cramp in my legs but during the day I also get it in my fingers, e.g. holding a toothbrush or car steering wheel. . Any one else get it in their hands? Will give some of these very helpful post suggestions a go and let you know how it goes.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kael-gca]

I had cramp in my hands before pred but I think that was part of the PMR and eventually improved a lot.

However - sometimes I wonder about the basic knowledge some doctors have!! Pred causes the body to lose more calcium and magnesium from the body - that is part of the reason that we are advised to take calcium supplements. Why doctors would be surprised you have cramp is beyond me...

[Rimmy in reply to Kael-gca]

I have been taking Pred for 2 years now for PMR/GCA - still on 12mg and have recently developed small cramps or muscle spasms in hands and feet on and off. A few months ago I also injured my Achilles tendon which is apparently more susceptible - as are all tendons to injury - when on Pred - which changes the 'micro-architecture' of your muscles. I got severe nocturnal calf cramps until my Achilles improved (nothing helped but 'time') but these feet and hand versions are not nearly so bad. I think it IS the Pred but like many of the 'effects' we get difficult to say absolutely what IS 'cause' and/or 'effect' ...