Morning all Does anybody else suffer with se... - Vasculitis UK
Morning all Does anybody else suffer with severe cramp in their feet? It cripples me up in pain when it happens, especially at night.
Hi
I used to get awful cramp too, especially at night time, which I discovered was caused by a lack of magnesium due to the immunosuppressants I started taking a magnesium supplement which worked at treat.
Best Wishes
Nell
That is interesting to know.. John has cramp in his leg and feet especially at night ...
thank you
Susan
I do. It really hurts. I put it down to the nerve damage in my feet as it usually happens when I have been walking or when my feet are cold, but also find the magnesium supplement very interesting and something worth looking into.
I do too . i get awful cramps in both legs and feet ( Only one has nerve damage ) and in my hips and in my nerve damaged hand so it makes no sense to me .
I do too, in my legs, nightly, and several nights a week in my feet. during a WG flare I can only walk on the outside edge of my feet and even that is very painful [hurty is a good description!]
I suffer from cramps in my feet and shins at night. I have been prescribed quinine which seems to help to some extent. The way to relieve cramp one you have a spasm is by muscle stretching but it has taken me a while to fathom out how to do this without assistance. You can usually relieve cramp in your calf muscle by stretching the muscle by walking on it. That doesn’t seem to work with the muscles at the front of your legs and feet. Your foot needs to be forced downwards to stretch these muscles. I found I could do this whilst still lying down by using the heel of my good leg to press on the toes of my cramped leg to force the foot downwards. This seems to work for me.
I do as Chris-Bromsgrove does, it works for me too.
you can also use one of those stretch bands which you hold an end in each hand, make a dropped u shape and put your put in it and pushing down with the toe end forward then push the heel down. a towel also works very well instead.
Chris can you check with your doctor about the quinine tablets, the hospital thinks that is what brought my Vasculitis on, and if you read the information that is one of the side effects. I know several doctors down in Wales have stopped patents taking then, and America they are off the market.
I really have bad cramps, and have done from some time
I had quinine tablets for my cramps the the doctor took me off them as it can affect the heart. Bananas are good too, if you want to try something other than tablets. Also rubbing alcohol, rubbed in before bed.
Suffered bad cramps in legs, feet and shins for many years, but I have never associated it with my Vas. However I will from now on and intend to ask my consultant about it at my next checkup thanks. Certainly worth trying the Magnesium as well. For the foot pain I always prance about the bedroom in stilettos .... funny I know ... well it does the trick for me but doesnt help with the shin cramps. I guess it wouldnt work well for the guys out there either! 
Yes, I get cramps in the aches of my feet and sometimes when I have it my toes get sort of locked in a strange downward position and then will suddenly snap back of their own accord.
Thank you all for your answers, sorry for delay in replying but been having problems with my IT!!!!
I will be asking my consultant about the magnesium supplement Neil when I go to Nephrology clinic in a couple of weeks. I have mentioned the cramps to them before, maybes I need to mention it again.
That's exactly what happens to my toes Jenny14 - ouch it really hurts doesn't it!
Chris-Bromsgrove - it is when I do that with my feet that the cramp starts and I get the Jenny14 toes 
Thank you all again, you have been very helpful
Jacqui x
Hi Jacqui
Yes the toe thing really does hurt, its also happens to me (like you say) when I point my toes down when my feet hurt and my toes then get stuck in that position. I was having that long before I started on immune suppressants though so don't think (in my case) it is due to the drugs.
Jenny
Hi Jenny
Well my cramps only started since I've had this nasty disease. I will discuss with my GP/Consultants as to the causes and what is recommnded to help ease it. Will let you know what they say
Jacqui
In the early stages of treatment for M.P.my blood sugars went very high `41` (steroid induced diabetes) .At the same time I started having severe cramp in my feet at night. I found a hotwater bottle did wonders.
As I came off the steroids the diabetes,disapeared, and the cramp almost became a thing of the past. 4 years on, I can occasionally still have cramps but now very mild.
I hope this is of some help
Tony
Thanks Tony, I long for the day when I can stop Pred but when they are reduced I have a mini flare!!! I live in hope to bed rid of both Pred, weight gain and the painful cramps
Jacqui x
So many odd things which I used just to try to ignore seem now to be a part of this disease. I had the symptoms before diagnosis (which took nearly ten years) or any medication so I don't think anything of mine stems from side effects to drugs. Cramp in my legs and feet can be really painful and sometimes I jump out of bed up to 10 or 12 times in a night to try to catch it and get my weight onto my leg or foot before the muscle spasms uncontrollably, I sometimes wonder what I will do when I am too old to leap out of bed!!! At other times I don't get it at all for weeks but then that is true of all the symptoms I suppose. I tried quinine to absolutely no effect but I have not tried magnesium. I too will ask my consultant and report back if I have any news.
Probably the least helpful answer, but are you drinking enough water? I found my thirst diminished after starting steroids (despite developing 'steroid diabetes ewhich is meant to make you thirsty). I'm now drinking more and the cramps are reducing. However I'm also reducing prednisolone at the same time, so like so much with vasculitis its not possible to be certain of cause and effect. Drinking more water probably a good idea for most people anyway. And I've been advised to check with specislist before taking any supplements. Hope things improve.
Yep biggusg, I'm always drinking water. I have my clinic appointment shortly so will be asking them some questions although I am sure I have asked before??? I will let you know once I've seen them.
Thank you all for your responses, most helpful
Jacqui M
Morning Jacqui
I have cramp in my feet and hands. It is so bad in my hands that I sturggle to write and hold utensils. I have checked with my consultant and he had confirmed that it is the Ciclosporin that I am on. The thing is that I have felt quite rough and tired the past weeks so think it is a combinatin of the Vasculitis and the meds. I have tried everything and find that only deep heat works on my feet. My hands are starting to take the shape of the cramp when not cramping as it is on the outer side of the top ...running down to my little finger.
I am going to see my consultant again tomorow so will ask him if there is anything I can do to alleviate the symptons. I'll let you know what he recommends.
Good Luck
Sarah
Hi Jacqui
I suffer from cramps in my hands and feet, especially at weekends. Have just released that I take my Alendronic Acid on a Friday and have noticed that this is one of the 'rare' side effects. I may miss my Alendronic acid one week to see if it makes a difference.
Good luck
Mooka
Hello everybody.
I am so very, very sorry for long delay in replying to you all. Been having other problems 
Anyway, my renal consultant suggested quinnine in tonic water may help. I asked if I could have a dash of vodka in it!
To be honest, I haven't had any cramps since I have seen him so I haven't had the opporunity to try it out to see if it works but have bottle just in case. If anybody else tries it and found it to be working, please let me know.
Thank you all again for your replies
Jacqui
YES!!! It hurts so bad that I want to die, last night especially, feet become distorted, leg and back of thigh, sometimes in both legs at once. This just started about 3 months ago and it happens almost every night.I drink plenty of water , but I sit at my desk for long periods of time, but I know other people who sit all day long and don't get this. So frustrated.
