Legs uneasiness/convulsions - possible relief - PSP Association

PSP Association

9,152 members11,289 posts

Legs uneasiness/convulsions - possible relief

sammy90210 profile image
7 Replies

Hi

My dad is late stage PSP sufferer - for some time he has been suffering from what seems to be cramps in his legs - he crosses them and sometimes kicks them violently while convulsing all over - it's very painful to watch

I tried massaging his legs but he wouldn't let me touch them so one time I tried turning him on his side (also called recovery position: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recov... - and put a light pillow underneath his extended/bent knee and almost immediately he stopped kicking and went off to sleep

This works 8/10 times - if it doesn't work on one side, I turn him on the other side and it almost always works

So, in case you come across this with your patient, this may be useful

Written by
sammy90210 profile image
sammy90210
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
7 Replies
abirke profile image
abirke

What a dutiful child your father has.....God bless you. And thanks for more info!

AVB

Christine47 profile image
Christine47

My husband sleeps with a pillow between his knees as suggested by his PT. That seems to help as well.

formercarer profile image
formercarer

Mum never suffered from night cramps, but I do. People suggest potassium (bananas have lots) and quinine (as in tonic water) In my case it is because I have a slipped disk though so dietary advice doesn't help.

Sleeping with a pillow between legs is good, and stops the spine from twisting. You could also think about whether a hospital bed would help.

Amatryptaline is a drug that they say helps with night-time nerve pain. Valium was a sure-fire winner too. It was the only thing that would relax the spasm, and it worked within 10 minutes. Perhaps it is worth talking to his doctor about a few night-time emergency supplies? Best wishes to you both.

sammy90210 profile image
sammy90210 in reply to formercarer

Thank you for all the good advice - I am due to meet his doctor and will take dad along too, will check with him

He doesn't have a hospital bed but we have a folding support thing which can be set up on different angles - he has an air mattress underneath and lots of pillows...

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage

I learned to raise my husband legs a little with the help of his hospital bed or place a small pillow beneath . he also takes A,itriptyline . are they maybe Myclonic jerks he is having . they happen to John when he is in a relaxed position . REM rapid eye movement period

sammy90210 profile image
sammy90210 in reply to cabbagecottage

Putting a below beneath his ankles did not help - he just pulls his legs inside.. I will check for the meds with his doctor - thanks :)

Amilazy profile image
Amilazy

Recovery position also useful to ease choking as allows the saliva to escape onto the neckerchief, towel etc I put under her head, rather than letting M try and swallow which only causes uncontrollable choking, yes she is flat but I only keep her in the position for about 30 min, it relaxes her so that when I sit her up or raise the hospital bed she has got over the choking anxiety and relaxes.

Thanks for the observation best wishes Tim

You may also like...

PEG fed - sputum swallow problem - possible relief

has a lot of sputum in his throat and he cannot swallow - turning him on his side doesn't help...

VAT relief - not quite a relief.

much trouble for them. I can't claim anything back from HMRC and have to do it at the time just...

Desperate for some pain relief!

swallowing (at times), constipation, and other PSP related issues. He has so much pain to the back...

Pain relief for CBD Patient

first before they try anything else. I thinks she's already tried that and it didn't work, but when...

Swollen feet and lower legs

diagnosed with psp for about 14 months. He has swollen feet and lower legs. Is this common? His...