cramp like pain at night from left buttock right down leg

[Stargiver]

I posted a similar issue not so long ago as a sort of 3am phenomenon. Lately it has got worse and I thought maybe I was tapering pred too quickly ( down to 6/7 mg.)

So have taken 10 mg for 2 days and am ok in the day but am now up at5.30 am having experienced first quite severe cramp in my lower left leg and after that this intense ache again all the way from my buttock to my foot.

Is it linked to my PMR which I have had for nearly 2 years, or is it something else? For the most part I am ok in the day - a bit of stiffness if I sit too long, but not this intense ache.

I have just taken some paracetamol with the hope that with that and moving about a bit now I am up, will allow me a bit more sleep later,

. Any ideas lovely people?

Also is paracetamol or NSAI ( ibuprofen) better or do I need to whack up the steroids?

Thank you in anticipation. This forum is so helpful.

[SheffieldJane]

You may find that Magnesium supplements ease this. Cramps are something we are prone to due to absorption issues I think.

[Stargiver in reply to SheffieldJane]

I think there may be something in the magnesium idea, as I took some yesterday and had a better night. Half a tablet before bed which meant I slept better until the 3.30 wake-up. Then got up and moved around and took the other half and the pain subsided and I slept until 6.30, waking with no pain. Difficult to know. I have had sciatic pain before but don’t think it is that as I don’t have it in the day.

Thanks everyone.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You need a diagnosis!!!!

The location of the pain is typical for sciatic pain along the full length of the nerve and there is something about the way you sleep that is putting pressure on some point of the nerve.

scoliosisreductioncenter.co....

does explain that - you needn't read the bit where they are advertising their treatments!!!

This is another article about sleeping positions

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

It may be linked to the PMR - it can lead to tight muscles which pinch the sciatic nerve but if so I would expect it to be bad in the day too. As such, more pred might help but I doubt it. Ibuprofen is probably better for the sciatic pain relief but not recommended to be used too much with pred. If you do use it, occasional use with food is best. I use it for daytime back pain - together with a hot water bottle over the low back sore area. But that is difficult for the entire leg at night!!!

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

There are long sausage shaped hot water bottles now that maybe useful. I love a hot water bottle.

[Koalajane]

I get something similar which is sciatica. I noticed I didn’t get the pain the night I travelled through the night by plane so it is probably the position I sleep in.

It hurts in the night and also when I first wake up until it seems to loosen as I walk

[piglette]

Is the pain down the back of your leg or the front? If down the back it could be sciatica.

[Merryfield]

I am going w sciatica, which I believe is caused by a tight periformis spelled wrong i am sure, rubbing on the sciatic nerve. Causes pain and numbness in butt and leg(s). Have had it multiple times. And once so bad I couldn’t walk. An epidural shot in my back at orthopedic clinic saved me more than once. Have not have repeat in years knock on wood.

[Pixix]

I’d suggest sciatica…I have sciatica on my right side and trochanteric bursitis on the left! Suggest heat pads, electric bed blanket. Look up exercises & stretching on Google, but taje it gently. See a doctor???