cramp ,especially in my calves and feet at night

[nissemor]

I’ve been getting severe cramp in my lower legs at night and sometimes during the day too. I take magnesium at bed time ,but it doesn’t always work. Sometimes I get it in my hands as well during the day, especially if knitting , or even writing. . Any suggestions? My current dose of prednisone is 5 mg

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Get your GP to check calcium, potassium and other electrolytes.

[nissemor in reply to PMRpro]

thank you, I will. A friend of mine has a been given quinine, but I gather that can be toxic?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to nissemor]

Never tried it - a lot of doctors don't like using it. Unfortunately there isn't enough quinine in tonic water these days so don't waste your money there!

[jayemmemm in reply to PMRpro]

It's not entirely a waste of money. If you add a measure or two of gin it makes quite a nice aperitif

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jayemmemm]

Oh well obviously - though the amount of tonic you'd need for cramp would lead to rather a lot of gin being required ...

[jayemmemm in reply to PMRpro]

Bring it on!

[papadapadoo]

Electrolytes, yes. When I get those cramps it is generally because I am dehydrated, even if I don't feel it.. Eliminating (as far as possible) salt makes it harder to retain water.

[Knit11 in reply to papadapadoo]

When I wake up at night with a cramp I drink water and it passes.

[Sammyd66]

hi have you tried magnesium spray I find that helps if you spray on your legs and feet before bed

[Handloomweaver]

I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve been on high doses of Prednisolone for the last 6 weeks and noticed that I am getting (mild) cramps in my feet at random times. Is that caused by the steroids?

I’m interested to hear if anyone has tips on how to prevent cramps.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Handloomweaver]

Try magnesium supplements - pred makes you lose more magnesium through the kidneys, Blood tests don't really help as the main store of magnesium in in the cells, especially muscle cells, and the blood level is kept fairly steady by scavenging from there so if the blood level is low, the muscle level is even lower.

Don't take too much by mouth as it has a laxative effect but you can also get oils and sprays for topical use or you can put Epsom salts in the bath or use it as a foot bath and you absorb some through the skin.

[nissemor in reply to PMRpro]

thank you PMR pro. I’ve got a gel, which I use ( when I remember) but will make sure I do this evening. Epsom salt baths are very relaxing too.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to nissemor]

WOuldn't be for me - I'd be too worried I'd never get out again!!!

[nissemor in reply to PMRpro]

no, not for everyone, that when one needs a good strong friend!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to nissemor]

OH wasn't that even when he was alive!

[Handloomweaver in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. I will try that if it gets to be more frequent, or worse.

[Karenjaninaz in reply to PMRpro]

I take 375mgm Mg glycinate with no effect on bowels.

[Crusty1949]

Been there. Cramps, especially at night, can be a sign of not drinking enough water. Hydration is important, 8 glasses or more a day is recommended. Good luck.

[Pixix]

My Dad used quinine tablets, he suffered throughout his life with cramp! But doctor did not approve! I get it, too, but since PMR started I have less (calcium tablets helping? And magnesium, I take that, too). Personally, I decided not to take quinine, but it’s a personal choice..perhaps search for ‘quinine’ & ‘cramps’ here (if you haven’t done so already) & see if this subject has come up before…I think it has!

[Rain-bows59]

drink water before going to bed and sip during the night, it works for me never found magnesium much good.

[PMR2011]

Magnesium lotion worked well for me. And works very fast.

[nissemor]

thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions. I do have magnesium lotion and it worked when I used it in the middle of the night. So I’ll try that again. I probably don’t drink enough water, so I’ll up that as well.

[Bramble2000]

If you can, talk to your GP as they can prescribe something for cramp. X

[nissemor]

thank you Bramle2000,

I have an appointment to speak to a GP at the end of next month….

[Ronzy]

I found it certainly did the job ,but had to stop it as it reacted with my prednisone.

Gave a lot of them to a friend of mine. He was amazed how they worked for him.

He was not on pred or owt. 👍

[Buenavista]

Hi,My husband had suffered severe cramps, especially at night for many years. He was also taking magnesium tablets in the morning and dissolvable magnesium in the evening. Nothing was working and he lost a lot of sleep because of the cramps. I told him to drink more water, but he said, I don't like water because it doesn't taste of anything and he would prefer cider hahaha.

He is on 8 3/4mg of pred at the moment for PMR.

After trying everything I could think of to help, me and my sister decided to make my husband up some homemade electrolyte drinks. And I'm pleased to say, it worked. He's only got cramp twice since and that's because he didn't have the electrolyte drink.

Hope this helps all you people out there. There are many homemade electrolyte drinks out there, but this is the recipe I use for my husband. It makes up 2 x 500ml bottles. ONLY HAVE ONE BOTTLE A DAY

2 cups water

1 teaspoon of sea salt

1 tablespoon of honey

1/2 tablespoon of maple syrup

1 cup of coconut water

1 cup of orange juice, no pulp

Squeeze of lime juice

Squeeze of lemon juice

And a sprinkle of sweetener if required.

Best regards,

Buenavista

[nissemor]

Thank you. That’s interesting. Well done you for finding the answer. I will try an solution if nothing else works.

[winfong]

Good article on magnesium:

huffpost.com/entry/magnesiu...