[GaryH]

Re: Muscle cramps

by GaryH on Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:52 am

Is it possible to take too much electrolytes? My blood tests all come within the normal range. If I took more sodium / potassium / magnesium, would that have a negative effect? Or would the body just flush the excess away?

[Ron Harvot]

Re: Muscle cramps

by Ron Harvot on Wed Mar 14, 2012 11:24 am

I believe you body would just flush them out. However, the safe bet is to go over this with you treating physician before starting any kind of supplements.

Ron

[nedny]

Re: Muscle cramps

by nedny on Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:11 pm

Cramping is part and parcel of treatment. I'm a runner who is 65 and was diagnosed 11/2 years ago. One must stay hydrated, especially as the weather gets warmer and more humid.

[laetetia]

Re: Muscle cramps

by laetetia on Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:30 am

What I find helps my family is the Indian tonic water - you can get low cal ones for diabetics - due to the quinine. Also Berocca - which are the tablets that fizz in water containing vitamin B and vitamin C.

Also, check the magnesium levels on your blood test. The lower the magnesium level goes, the more likely you are to get cramps. I have my partner taking magnesium tablets once a day and he hasn't complained of cramps any more.

[GaryH]

Re: Muscle cramps

by GaryH on Sat Mar 17, 2012 11:28 am

I saw my doctor on Thursday and asked him about this. He said that the cramps were due to the chemo taken. This included pomalidomide, Revlimid, etc. Suggested trying electrolytes, but to watch my blood sugars closely if I took Gatorade or similar.

[robtcst]

Re: Muscle cramps

by robtcst on Mon Jun 18, 2012 2:39 pm

It's the Revlimid probably. My hands and feet contort and I get nasty hamstring and calf cramps that strike fast. Revlimid's worth the hassle though. Walgreens has an otc product called simply "leg cramps" by Hylands. Works at night for me. Hope it helps you as well.

[Dr. Peter Voorhees]

Re: Muscle cramps

by Dr. Peter Voorhees on Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:19 pm

Dear all,

Muscle cramping is a notorious and under appreciated side effect of the IMiDs (thalidomide, lenalidomide (Revlimid), pomalidomide). For most patients, they are just a nuisance, but for some they can be quite debilitating.

There are some good suggestions here as how to deal with this problem. Hydration, stretching, ensuring your electrolytes (potassium, calcium, magnesium) levels are within the normal range are all key.

I like the cider vinegar idea. The Physicians Assistant with whom I work always tells our patients to take a shot of mustard, and I have to say most patients swear by it. I have become a reluctant believer! It must be something about the acetic acid in vinegar and mustard that makes this work. Tonic water is a good idea as well (there, it is the quinine that does the trick).

Occasionally, we have to prescribe muscle relaxants, but there we are often just replacing one side effect (cramps) with another (fatigue).

Here's to a shot of French's yellow mustard in the middle of the night!

Pete V.

P.S. No, I do not own stock in French's.

[royjulius]

Re: Muscle cramps

by royjulius on Sun May 26, 2013 5:51 pm

I found this thread while searching for a cramp remedy for Alma. She is cramping often. I gave her a shot of yellow mustard and now she is napping, so I'll update on how well it works when she wakes up. Getting out of bed seems to be the time when it happens the most to her.

[mrsv118]

Re: Muscle cramps

by mrsv118 on Mon May 27, 2013 7:54 am

Such a learning curve.

I couldn't figure out why I was having such awful back pain at night, including the occasional leg cramp. I've always had a "bad back", so I've been thinking it was just a flareup of that. But all my usual treatments for the "bad back" weren't helping. Now I know why! I'm on CRD (carfilzomib [Kyprolis], Revlimid, dex) and these are muscle cramps! No wonder the heating pad felt so good.

I'm gonna try the mustard trick before bed and see if that helps.

Thanks everyone!

Kate

[terryl1]

Re: Muscle cramps

by terryl1 on Mon May 27, 2013 2:22 pm

In the past i have used bromelain for muscle aches and cramps. It is a natural supplement derived from pineapples. It works well and is easily obtainable at any vitamin shop.