I recently posted that my husband's multiple myeloma has relapsed and we are seeing his specialist August 3 for treatment alternatives. His M-spike is 1.7 g/dL, low RBC, so he is anemic and fatigued.
Nearly nightly he as episodes of leg cramps lasting 2+ hours. This is new in the last month and I'm wondering if it has to do with being anemic. Normally, he has no sleep issues.
Anyone else have this problem? Remedies?
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Re: Leg cramps at night
Hi Ann,
I am anemic (transfusion dependent). My blood test taken on Wednesday showed that my hemoglobin level has dropped to 75 g/L (7.5 g/dL). In fact I’m just about to depart for hospital to have three units transfused. Another day in the hospital.
I have intermittent bouts of nightly muscle cramps. These episodes can last a few weeks. I have found that 150 to 450 mg of magnesium citrate helps a lot. And the relief is right away. No dawdling.
Of course, I do not know if there is any direct causal relationship between my anemia and my cramps. Maybe there is a complex hormonal relationship as my bio systems deal with my ever changing red blood cell levels.
See if you can get husband’s electrolytes measured. Perhaps, there is a problem there.
Your husband should not have to suffer. Period.
Good luck,
Joe
I am anemic (transfusion dependent). My blood test taken on Wednesday showed that my hemoglobin level has dropped to 75 g/L (7.5 g/dL). In fact I’m just about to depart for hospital to have three units transfused. Another day in the hospital.
I have intermittent bouts of nightly muscle cramps. These episodes can last a few weeks. I have found that 150 to 450 mg of magnesium citrate helps a lot. And the relief is right away. No dawdling.
Of course, I do not know if there is any direct causal relationship between my anemia and my cramps. Maybe there is a complex hormonal relationship as my bio systems deal with my ever changing red blood cell levels.
See if you can get husband’s electrolytes measured. Perhaps, there is a problem there.
Your husband should not have to suffer. Period.
Good luck,
Joe
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Wobbles - Name: Joe
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Leg cramps at night
Hi AnnM,
I can confirm having some horrendous leg cramps during my first months of treatment in 2012, this being dex, Revlimid and Velcade intravenous injections. Usually occurring in the middle of the night, perhaps brought on by simply changing position in bed. I found a water bottle would help a lot but it needed to be really hot and pressed against the offending muscle. Some firm massage and eventually trying to walk around the bedroom would often complete the self-treatment. It would sometimes affect the the big toe, forcing it upwards quite painfully, I found that by holding the foot very firmly to oppose the cramping action seemed to defeat it.
I would also experience, to a lesser degree, a cramp in one hand which would visually distort my hand, pulling the thumb inwards, it was not too serious and it would pass as quickly as it came.
Good luck for the consultation next week,
From Victor L
I can confirm having some horrendous leg cramps during my first months of treatment in 2012, this being dex, Revlimid and Velcade intravenous injections. Usually occurring in the middle of the night, perhaps brought on by simply changing position in bed. I found a water bottle would help a lot but it needed to be really hot and pressed against the offending muscle. Some firm massage and eventually trying to walk around the bedroom would often complete the self-treatment. It would sometimes affect the the big toe, forcing it upwards quite painfully, I found that by holding the foot very firmly to oppose the cramping action seemed to defeat it.
I would also experience, to a lesser degree, a cramp in one hand which would visually distort my hand, pulling the thumb inwards, it was not too serious and it would pass as quickly as it came.
Good luck for the consultation next week,
From Victor L
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Victor L - Name: Victor L
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Leg cramps at night
Hi AnnM,
I have had these cramps and I read about the vinegar and also the magnesium compounds. The latter made my GI problems worse.
You may have read about an open bar of soap under the blanket at night that helps the night time cramps. That helped me a bit but I tried taking the soap treatment further. Amazingly, the 'rubbing soap' treatment on the cramped muscle has been giving me immediate relief . I can cure my cramps in minutes, if not in seconds, by just rubbing the basic Ivory bar of soap on the cramping muscle. I assume any soap would do the trick.
This has worked for me time and again, whether I get the cramps after writing a lot of notes, clutching a fork, cramped toes and feet in the middle of the night or when I get the leg (calf) cramps while driving a car. I keep a bar of soap by my bedside and also in my car, where a cramped leg or foot could lead to a major accident.
I hope this simple treatment of 'rubbing soap' works for your husband. My cramps in the palm and fingers of my hand were / are very similar to what Victor has described, I hope this helps him, too.
I have had these cramps and I read about the vinegar and also the magnesium compounds. The latter made my GI problems worse.
You may have read about an open bar of soap under the blanket at night that helps the night time cramps. That helped me a bit but I tried taking the soap treatment further. Amazingly, the 'rubbing soap' treatment on the cramped muscle has been giving me immediate relief . I can cure my cramps in minutes, if not in seconds, by just rubbing the basic Ivory bar of soap on the cramping muscle. I assume any soap would do the trick.
This has worked for me time and again, whether I get the cramps after writing a lot of notes, clutching a fork, cramped toes and feet in the middle of the night or when I get the leg (calf) cramps while driving a car. I keep a bar of soap by my bedside and also in my car, where a cramped leg or foot could lead to a major accident.
I hope this simple treatment of 'rubbing soap' works for your husband. My cramps in the palm and fingers of my hand were / are very similar to what Victor has described, I hope this helps him, too.
-
K_Shash - Name: K_Shash
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Leg cramps at night
I experienced bad cramps in my calfs (not 2+ hours) during induction treatment. My nurse recommended drinking tonic water. It worked. I would drink an 8 ounce bottle of water (with a splash of lemonade to cut the bitterness) before bed. No cramps.
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Mark Pouley - Name: Mark
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Leg cramps at night
Cramping seems to be a regular side effect of Revlimid and also dex. It comes up regularly here in the forum, and there are lots of remedies people find helpful, including tonic water, electrolytes like magnesium, and even pickle juice (yes, pickle juice). Tonic water is a particularly interesting option because it contains quinine, and quinine seems to have some anti-myeloma activity.
Here's a list of the existing forum discussions related to cramps and cramping.
I took the link for this list from the ever-so-helpful (but widely ignored) posting that is always at the top of the Treatments & Side Effects section of the forum, "Useful links to existing forum discussion".
Here's a list of the existing forum discussions related to cramps and cramping.
I took the link for this list from the ever-so-helpful (but widely ignored) posting that is always at the top of the Treatments & Side Effects section of the forum, "Useful links to existing forum discussion".
-
Jonah
Re: Leg cramps at night
If you want to try oils, lavender oil rubbed on the bottom of the feet before bedtime really helps me. I also rub lavender on the leg calf, if needed, and also can be used to help you relax and sleep. Be sure you get a good quality grade oil to see good results.
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Music box lady - Name: Margie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Leg cramps at night
Thank you all for the suggestions. I will try to get my husband to work some of these into his anti-cramping routine, which is to try to walk them off. He is awake 2-4 hours nightly.
I called the oncology nurse, who suggested more calcium and potassium in his diet, even though his numbers have been steady the past few months.
I called the oncology nurse, who suggested more calcium and potassium in his diet, even though his numbers have been steady the past few months.
8 posts
• Page 1 of 1