Leg cramps

[Catlizg]

I have restless leg (and arm) syndrome. The caroms you are feeling are completely different than RLS. I went through an awful spell of leg cramps. In my case, it was not magnesium. Lab testing revealed I had extremely low vitamin D levels and was anemic. Since starting extra vitamin D and iron, problem 100% solved.

[avi123]

It seems to me that there is mixup in this conversation between ReslessLegs syndrome (RLS) and cramps of the muscles and joints of the legs.

Hey Avi, I just read the current comments and didn't see a reference to restless legs. Maybe it was further back in the old posts. But just in case, I'd like to clarify that my post is not related to RLS. PLMD is an entirely separate diagnosis. I've seen even medical sites try to interchange the terms but they are not interchangeable. I was speaking specifically of PLMD. Hope that helps if anyone had any question in their mind.

Reply,

I see in my 2010 sleep study that I had some RSL and PLMD:

As to your above post:

"If @smoothiemom or anyone with PLMD would like to discuss it separate from leg cramps, might be a good idea to start another thread so others with the same interest won't overlook the discussion. Searching the forum for PLMD will provide a lot of prior discussion on the subject. Even once my sleep apnea was effectively treated, it wasn't till my legs were quieted down that I began to get better rest. It's a subject dear to my heart because I understand the suffering it can cause. But it's probably more conversation than one with leg cramps and not PLMD would care to read."


I would rather postpone my participation at this time b/c my problems with RSL and PMLD almost don't exist, and I have yet to recover completely from my recent Lower Spine Laminectomies Surgery.

[kteague]

Avi, I'm curious, how was your diagnostic study in regards to limb movements in comparison to this titration study?

[avi123]

Avi, I'm curious, how was your diagnostic study in regards to limb movements in comparison to this titration study?

Reply,
I don't know, should I worry about it?

[kteague]

Avi, I'm curious, how was your diagnostic study in regards to limb movements in comparison to this titration study?

Reply,
I don't know, should I worry about it?

No, I wouldn't worry about it. It is what it is. Just wondering because it's been a conversation about how limb movements from PLMD are thought to increase after starting CPAP, likely due to sleeping better and giving the disorder opportunity to more fully manifest instead of sharing wakings with apnea events. I always feel bad when people already struggling with CPAP use have to deal with that extra aggravation of limb movements.

[avi123]

More on RSL and PMLD:

http://www.sleepdisordersguide.com/plmd-treatments.html

yes, I have anti Parkinsonian's drugs at home such as Stalevo, and could take some of it to treat my PMLD and RSL if needed.
I do take Gabapentin (Neurontin) for my Peripheral Neuropathy and for my sleep. It is also good for PMLD and RSL.

[avi123]

Catlizg



and

robysue



are both from Buffalo, NY

[Papit]

Same as my symptoms, occasional cramping and chronic RLS. My sleep doc prescribed Mirapex (the generic is Pramipexole Dihydrochloride) tablets 0.125 mg, 'Take 1 or 2 tablets as needed at bedtime.' I have found that two at bed time works very well in preventing symptoms. No side effects that I can see. If I get restless legs during the day (e.g., working at the computer), then I take three tabs either right away or at night. I wonder why no one else has mentioned this drug in this thread. I was told this is the standard treatment.

Do a Google search on " Mirapex User Reviews for Restless Legs Syndrome at Drugs.com " to check out what many others have experienced using Mirapex/Pramipexole.

[rkuntz]

Have had recurrent Charley Horse style cramps in my calves since I was a teenager and have sometimes assumed that in the end I'd probably die due to a heart attack associated with waking up in a full panic from the pain.

Exercise helps, a Banana helps, 800 mg of Magnesium helps, Magnesium L-Threonate helps alot (but is spendier than plain Magnesium), and a Potassium supplement ices the cake. With Magnesium and Potassium, no more leg cramps for me unless I forget, but then when I do forget my legs not so gently remind me to be a good boy.

Beware the x # of 12 oz glasses of water per day urban myth. If you're fundamentally healthy and not running in Marathons or working hard in a hot environment, your body will tell you if you need to drink some water. Too much water will deplete your electrolytes, including Magnesium and Potassium, and increase cramping.

[kteague]

...My sleep doc prescribed Mirapex (the generic is Pramipexole Dihydrochloride)... works very well... No side effects that I can see... I wonder why no one else has mentioned this drug... I was told this is the standard treatment.

Originally this thread was about legs cramps, which would make me suspect a myriad of causes not neurologic in origin. Now, if the cramping turned out to be PLMD, that's another story. (My mind tends to go there because of my history.) Meds like Neurontin or Mirapex have been helpful to some when PLMD is present. For garden variety cramps, I doubt they'd be of any use. Determining origin as close as possible is the best way to target treatment. I personally don't suggest dopamine agonists because of my bad experience with them. I have read of some people (such as yourself) having success with them. While it is my impulse to run screaming "The sky is falling!" I try to refrain because who am I to maybe alarm someone and discourage them from getting what may be effective treatment for them and with no side effects. So that's why I haven't mentioned Mirapex. Can't speak for others. Maybe because they're sticking to the "leg cramps" theme. That topic got a bit derailed because there's an outside chance leg cramps can be related to PLMD.

[Sir NoddinOff]

Just a final note on leg cramps or any type large muscle cramp. If you have any doubts about the efficacy of magnesium and potassium, go talk to ANY marathoner, endurance swimmer, mt biker or rock climber you happen to know, even peripherally. Tap them on the shoulder and simply ask: "Are magnesium and potassium supplements any good for cramps?". Do that and report back to me - not that you'll have to, simply because I already know the answer, (being an exercise nut and all).

[MaxDarkside]

I do take Gabapentin (Neurontin) for my Peripheral Neuropathy and for my sleep. It is also good for PMLD and RSL.

I took gabapentin (Neurontin) for about 60 days for neuropathic pain (April & May). It worked well for that, but... Your mileage may vary, but it befuddled my thinking and took me to "dark places" (depression-like despair, occasional manic-depressive behavior swings). So I started weening myself off slowly over a period of a few weeks and now I'm off it. Now I'm suffering withdrawal symptoms (difficulty sleeping, racing mind, anxiety, thinking everything I do is screwed up, ...). I'm hoping, I pray to God, that over time this goes away.

Oh, interesting too, when I went on it my appetite increased to a raging bull, and I gained about 10 lbs. Going off of it, yup, I lost the 10 lbs.

For me, I say don't touch the stuff. I wish I hadn't.

P.S. The physical part of the anxiety feels like I took two pseudo-ephedrine (buzzz)