Fibromyalgia Community

I get leg and foot cramps a lot. Last summer it was 5 out of 7 nights. I have been told this is part of FM. Now I get them in the right muscle in my back. I talked to the doc about them and he explained to me what was happening but offered no help. I'm told muscle relaxers help but I can't get my doc to give me any. I would explain to you what he said but I can't remember right now

Soft Hugs
Leslee

I used to get these in my legs and back, out of the blue and oh my, it was bad.

Do you drink plenty of water throughout the day? Do you take calcium and magnesium and D? Do you exercise at all?

Yes, I've taken potassium, calcium, magnesium, large doses of Vitamin D and I am an avid lifter of weights, a lap swimmer and a walker. All of these since 1971! I don't always get in 8 glasses of water a day, but I come close. Maybe this is just another of those things I have to learn to "suck up" I guess I should feel thankful I don't get them in my back like some of you do. Thanks for your help. My internist told me to put 2-3 bars of Ivory Soap at the foot of the bed because she said it helped her when she was pregnant and had terrible leg cramps. I've been doing this for a few years and I know this does help (I know it does sound silly), but it doesn't het rid of them completely. Now I'm afraid to remove them even though my husband kind of giggles about it

It sounds like you need to get a different doctor! No physician should allow their patient to have leg cramps, lose sleep and begin that cascade of events that make you just miserable.

If the physican has tested your blood for electrolytes and they are normal (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium), then you should be give a muscle relaxer.

Try warm baths and showers before bed and then lightly stretch those muscles that are cramping in the night. Take a little extra magnesium if you don't have loose stools at the time.

If none of that works, see a different physician for a small dose of muscle relaxers or some other type of medication that will help you relax.

I think FMers are going to have issues with muscle spasms no matter what we do, but we have to keep trying things until something gives us relief.

Restless legs and muscle cramps are common with my FM, my Rhemy gave me a cycleopenize? Its a muscle relaxer and my dosage is 10-20 mg at bedtime as I need it. If you have no allergies you should be able to take it. It will also help you sleep better.When I first started taking it I was sleeply the next day but after a few days that clear up.
Hope this helps.

I was getting awful cramps in my legs at night too. The pain would sometimes last for days after the fact even. Since I've been taking a 1/2 of a pill of Flexeril (a muscle relaxer) in the evenings, I've only had 1 or 2 leg cramps! I've been on it for a few months now. 1/2 of pill doesn't make me sleepy, but I think it helps me sleep better when I go to sleep. On the other hand, a whole pill makes me not sleep, go figure. My doc did suggest stretching at night. Hope you can find something that helps you!

B

hi crazy4 ... it sounds awful ! I just recently started getting the cramps , but, now that it is cooler here in New Jersey, i havn't getting them ...

hang in there and God bless !

Thanks so much for your advice and encouraging words. I am surprised that my rheumatologist did not suggest this and I will be having a conversation with him about this. If he opposes I will find a new doctor. I will also try the mild stretching because I could be all tight from exercising or from being on my feet all day (teacher).

Also thanks for the advice about being tested for electrolytes. That would be hugely important. I guess I didn't know this could be done! I guess it pays to ask those who have been through this before. I think I have to get over the fact that I think I can't find a way to get over these things by myself, but I am quickly seeing that this disorder is complicating my life at a more rapid rate than it used to (I'm still a "young" 62). Thank you again.

I am 70 and have full blown FM. Foot and toe cramps are a new feature. My doctor doesn't make a connection between the two.

Wow this is an ole post?

Leg cramps can very much be with the FM issues we have and also a few other causes. Electrolytes being one. Making sure you have taken enough Magnesium....Dr Oz states everyone should be on 250mg a day...well I increased to twice a day and found a good change in my issues. (If normal needs once me and mine needed twice)

Calcium is another ion needed in muscle function as is potassium. Getting them in your diet is important. If you are on water pills please be sure there is a potassium check and a replacement ordered for you.

The last thing that comes to mind is "vascular insufficiency"

With varicose veins... at night blood flow slows with the heart beat and all the oxygen and nutrients have been removed as it is returning from the lower body to the heart and lungs for oxygen......this is where you can have muscle dysfunction....adding heat to bring in new blood (also that is how walking it off works) and maybe getting a venous doppler done to assess the inner workings of your legs. Reflux may be prominanet there and you are not efficient in the night.

Some doctors will ask to try TONIC water everyday. To get the quinine in there as a helpful tool.....but getting to the cause I think is better then looking for a bandaid...

So, this is what came to my mind when I saw this note. Maybe it will help.

I just went through a big issue with this as I lost weight and the vascular disease I have was now in the forefront...cramps in the upper thigh (only could use heat) cause was I lost the fat that served as support to those vessels. I have since had closure and removal of them to help me move forward.....

Life always hands you a challenge, gotta try and make lemonade! Good luck, Nancy B