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Neurology (Expert Forum)
mrs. charlie
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
mrs. charlie
by charlie161, Nov 25, 2007 08:31AM
hi.
For some time I have been having severe leg cramps and ankle cramps (charlie horses) and they are extremely painful. These episodes of cramping happens almost nightly. Sometimes just painful enough to wake me up and other times they send sharp shooting pains from my ankles, lower legs all the way to my thighs and walking and stretching doesn't help.
at times it is so bad that I have to hit (punch) the area where it is cramping to get it to loosen up. On the rare occation that I drink alcohol the cramps are much worse. why is it and what is it.. what can I do to stop it?
For some time I have been having severe leg cramps and ankle cramps (charlie horses) and they are extremely painful. These episodes of cramping happens almost nightly. Sometimes just painful enough to wake me up and other times they send sharp shooting pains from my ankles, lower legs all the way to my thighs and walking and stretching doesn't help.
at times it is so bad that I have to hit (punch) the area where it is cramping to get it to loosen up. On the rare occation that I drink alcohol the cramps are much worse. why is it and what is it.. what can I do to stop it?
Thank you for submitting your question.
I will answer your concerns to the best of my abilities, but please be informed that I am unable to offer a diagnosis based on your history and list of symptoms.
I am extremely limited in not having the opportunity to perform a full neurologic examination on you.
This is solely for educational purposes and should in no way be a substitute for a formal evaluation by a certified physician.
Muscle cramping, especially at night is a common complaint in neurology.
There are five common causes of cramping:
1)hyperflexion
2)inadequate oxygenation
3)exposure to large changes in temperature
4)dehydration
5)low blood salt.
Less frequently, muscle cramps may also be a symptom or complication of pregnancy, kidney disease, thyroid disease, hypokalemia or hypocalcemia (as conditions), restless legs syndrome, and multiple sclerosis.
Electrolyte disturbance may also cause cramping and tetany of muscles, particularly hypokalemia (a low level of potassium) and hypocalcemia (a low level of calcium).
It is difficult for me to pinpoint the cause of your symptoms based on the limited information you have provided.
I urge you to seek medical evaluation for this problem, initially starting out with your primary care physician.
Your symptoms could be due to something that is easily treatable.
In the meantime, try these few tricks to see if your symptoms improve:
*Stay hydrated throughout the day -- if you sweat a lot, drink Gatorade to replete your electrolytes.
*Limit alcohol and caffeine -- both act as diurectics (agents that cause you to frequently urinate and lose more body water)
*Do stretching exercises prior to going to sleep
*Apply warm compresses to the legs and ankles
*Eat foods high in potassium, such as bananas, potatoes, and prunes.
Again, this is common and typically benign.
Please see your primary care doctor when able.
Hope this helps,
Best of luck,
JKL, MD