Leg Cramps

[Len Hiebert]

Hi , I've been having leg and neck cramps for the last two years,has anyone else had them? Man they wake me up at night,they only come about in cold weather.I was just curious if anyone else had them

[Birdman]

I have had them regularly, and have found if I wiggle my toes they go way!

[rose]

I have them. Same places you describe. Quinine helps, drinking tonic water helps me. It has to be a name brand tonic which actually contains quinine! Slipping in a little vodka or gin and a nice slice of lime isn't unheard of either :) I take Baclofen, but I think the tonic water is as affective.

[chefdeborah]

I have them in my neck really bad. If I yawn (which I do a LOT!) I get cramps in my neck! I get them in my hands and legs too!
chefdeborah

[GlenBrittle]

Oh those neck ones hurt. And , they only happen when you are with people.

Anyone have the "Alien Syndrome" ? You know those cramped muscles on your ribcage , the ones that move.

[rose]

I get the aliens too. Not as often though. Actually right now the cramps are pretty calm everywhere. Hope I'm not jinxing myself by saying it!

I'll agree the neck ones are the worst. The leg cramps must have been my first official "symptom" but I was clueless that they meant anything. I'd fly for "X" amount of hours overnight overseas, get into my hotel room lay down, only to be awakened by monster charlie horses. I'd be up and down for the entire 4 hours I'd allow myself to sleep (because of the whole jet lag deal) walking around the room trying to get the cramps to let up, only to have them set in once I fell asleep again. Even before we would land, I'd start getting them in my feet when I was up in the aisles, but I thought it was because my feet were cold.

[Pidge]

I'm with rose a little Gin & Tonic I know people who swear by it. The Dr. also Rx my son Baclofen it seems to be helping him w/ leg cramps Dr. also said he could have a drink or 2 but it could knock him out so be safe.

[GlenBrittle]

Rose,

I found the easiest way to relieve leg cramps is to lie on your back , bring your feet back so that your knees are in the air and move your knees sideways in and out. This will get the muscles swaying from side to side and will give you some relief.

No , this is not my usual smartass answer. Try it.

Glen

[Zaphoon]

I would like to crown myself, "The Leg Cramp King"! Any takers on being the queen?

[mare]

PZ-
Don't you think that should go to Mrs. PZ ??!?? LOL

[Len Hiebert]

I like the Vodka and tonic drink with lime mmmmmmmmmm good!!!!!!!

[tande]

My boyfriend has horrific leg cramps that occur only when he goes to bed at night. He use to look forward to going to bed now he avoids it. The doctor has prescribed Quanine (Spelling?) that is only available in Canada but easy to get with a prescription. Hopefully it will help ease the pain and help him sleep. We were told ALS was not painful by the doctors but that is definitely not the case.

[sadiemae]

we were told that it was a painless disease too. My husband has had pain for yrs associated with his knees back and neck, and the ALS has made the pain so much worse. He hates taking narcotics, but has agreed to try morphine, since oxycodone was not cutting it. The Dr suggested methadone, but i said NO WAY. Tande, has he tried Baclofen? It has helped my husband a bit. Lori

[tande]

Hi Lori - Yes he is on 20 mg of baclofen 3 times/day and without that he wouldn't be able to walk! We shall see how the quanine works. Thanks for your response.

[indigosd]

WOW Lori-morphine!! Web has had horrible leg cramps for 3 years prior to dx. He is now having the neck spasms and the alien.

[sadiemae]

Kay Marie The pain he has is in his back and neck from degenerative disk disease that is not from ALS, but since he has had ALS, the pain is a lot worse. He feels that the pain causes his blood pressure to rise. We finally saw our primary Dr at the VA, and he said that a heart attack or stroke will probably kill my husband before ALS does if we cant get his blood pressure under control. We will meet with a nutritionist soon, and the high calorie high fat diet is going to have to go. Lori

[BrianD]

How much of the tonic water per day have folks found to be helpful for them (when it has helped them)?

Brian

[Len Hiebert]

I try to have a can of tonic water every day,seems to work for me.

[Phil M]

I have them in my neck really bad. If I yawn (which I do a LOT!) I get cramps in my neck! I get them in my hands and legs too!
chefdeborah

Me too, and in my throat. I take Zannaflex for mine. It controls it most of the time.
I live in Gawga too!

[Twinsmom]

My husband has leg cramps that actually wake him up now at nite they are so uncomfortable/painful. He gets them in his back and hands now too upon exertion.

He has been drinking the Schwepps Tonic Water (thank you Rose!)-this was also recommended by our neurologist at the same time!! He's not really seeing too much of a difference yet, but I think it's because he's not following the recommendations of drinking 2 each day...

I'm happy to say, we haven't seen "the alien" yet!

Melody

[Ratman55]

My leg cramps have let up some since trying the tonic water and retiring last week. Of course I am off my feet and walk less. I recently read on a link from "Chad's Corner for Pals" (His widow is a good friend) (http://www.chadscorner4pals.com/) that letting tonic water go flat helps avoid your stomach filling up like a balloon. I have also mixed with a little soda or even iced tea. I still get bad cramps in all limbs and feet and occasionally my diaphram when I sneeze (that sucks majorly). I'm going to step up the amt. and hope it helps. But, just drinking about 1/2 litre per day has allowed me to sleep better and therefore reduce the soreness. I want to ask though, does anyone have the sensation in the legs/extremities of extreme, dull pain or aching that only goes away if you walk (hobble) or have someone massage them? Does this get worse with progression? I'm still walking, but can feel R ankle beginning to drop and leg and arm fatigue is increasing. I'm afraid to increase tylenol. -JK