Hi everybody
I was just curious does anybody notice more cramping in your legs or feet. I have noticed mostly at night when I finally do fall asleep that out of no were I get these really bad cramps in my feet and legs. I am on my feet most of the day either chasing the kids or at work but lately it seems to be getting worse. Is there maybe a vitamine that could possible help?Thank you for any suggestions
I have trouble even driving the car my feet cramp when we are at the light I have to put the car in nuetrel sometimes with the brake on . ................................TERESA
Maybe a potassium deficiency? Try adding a banana to your diet every day. If not that, read up on "Restless Legs Syndrome."Hi Dawn,
I have had problems with leg and foot cramps as well. I spoke with my rheumy and a pharmacist about it and they both said it was a common problem with RA. It can also be a common side effect of many RA meds. They both suggested taking magnesium tablets, which I have found to have been helpful, my pharmacist has now put me onto a new product that contains calcium and magnesium. Here in the land down under the Drs used to prescribe quinate(quinine) tablets but they have now been pulled from the market(3months ago) due to an increase risk of thrombocytopenia.
Hope this helps
Shaz
My rhuemy said anywere you have joints the ra can effect. Even my chest I thought a few times I was having a heart attack and even went to the hospital for it and they checked everything and said it was the ra attacking joints.........TERESAHi Dawn,
I had foot and leg cramps until the Plaquenil the Rheumatologist prescribed became effective. They would start shortly after I was in bed. Sometimes I would have to get up and walk them off two - three times during my sleeping period. Advil seemed to help before I started the Plaquenil. I still have a mild cramp on occasion but they are few and far between. I no longer look down and watch twitching toes. :) I think the foot and leg cramps are part of the RA picture.
Hope you are feeling better soon,
Tmir/Barbara
I have been on plaquenil for around 8 months or so but these leg cramps have just gotten worse and the ladies I work with told me to get calcium with magnesium. That would help out with the leg cramps but I am worried with all the meds that I take I am afraid that it might interact with the meds. I see the doc in a few weeks and ask what he thinks. I wish there was a night were you could rest without having pain or getting up with it I just cant remeber the last time I was able to jump out of bed and start my day and I barely going to be 28. Sorry I just am having a moment but thanks for the good thoughts and I hope you all feel better soon as well Ah, the potassium is good advice, I forget to take vitamins with all the other meds I have to take.[QUOTE=Dawn]I have been on plaquenil for around 8 months or so but these leg cramps have just gotten worse and the ladies I work with told me to get calcium with magnesium. That would help out with the leg cramps but I am worried with all the meds that I take I am afraid that it might interact with the meds. I see the doc in a few weeks and ask what he thinks. I wish there was a night were you could rest without having pain or getting up with it I just cant remeber the last time I was able to jump out of bed and start my day and I barely going to be 28. Sorry I just am having a moment but thanks for the good thoughts and I hope you all feel better soon as well
You can always talk to a pharmacist at any point too.
I had a flare up this past year - bad inflammation that literally moved from one joint to another. Usually I try to elevate my legs in the evening, but every time I did so for the last six months my foot would cramp and toes would twitch. Only standing up and putting pressure of the foot made it go away - for a little while. Then of course it would act up when I went to bed. Ironically, none of this ever happened in the daytime. Never.
Had arthroscopic knee surgery a few weeks ago for a torn meniscus. Lo and behold - those cramps and twitches went away since the night before surgery. Haven't had them since. Go figure.
Hi MarkinAZ
Yeah I am still on prednisone
Hi Dawn,
I get something similar to your cramping and it mostly seems to happen when I have not drank enough water for the day...There are other reason such as low, calcium, magnesium, potassium and some blood pressure medications can make the situation worse.
I added a website that may help you understand what is going on with the cramping and how to help it stop some of the pain, with out hurting your muscles. When the leg cramping happens, what ever you do, don't stretch your leg, it can actually make the situation worse...Please read this article that I linked into the post.
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=466640
I also experienced lower torso cramping while on Plaquenil and Azulfidine, not sure those drugs in general add to the problem...cause I have been off them for almost 4 months now and still have lower torso cramping and thumb cramping
Best thing to do is ask your health care provider about them.
I hope you can get yours under control, cause they sure do mess up a good sleep and God forbid if you are driving, when one happens...that really worries me.
Toni
Hi all,
I don't want to seem arrogant and a know it all but I feel that it needs to be said. Potassium can be very helpful but bear in mind that although it is seen as a "vitamin/mineral supplement", it can be very toxic and too much can and will lead to a heart attack. Many people who are precribed diuretics are put on potassium tablets and hopefully most of these people have regular blood tests to monitor their potassium levels. Perhaps things are different in the states but in Australia it is a drs presciption drug only, for this reason.
Cheers
Shaz
Shaz, that's not being a know-it-all, that's bringing up a good point. :)
So... eat more bananas! Potassium without the prescription. :D
Yep, my legs and hips hurt on a constant especially at night. I eat a banana a day which helps a bit not not always. Sometimes it hurts so bad!!!!!!!!!!
sil
Thanks for all the suggestions