Fibro and severe leg cramps?

[K728]

Hello all,

I've had trouble with my legs for the past couple of years.  I've tried everything from taking extra potassium to stretching and massage.  Two years ago, the problem started as what I thought was a severe charlie horse.  That problem persisted and the muscles tightened to the point that my calf muscles both ripped.  My legs were bruised from the knee down and I couldn't walk for several weeks.  Once that problem healed, I didn't have any issues until this past month.  The muscles started again with the charlie horse feeling and have been continually tightening ever since.  Again, I've tried heat wraps, all kinds of muscle creams, massage, extra water, potassium, aspirin, muscle relaxers.. Nothing helps.

I have Fibromyalgia, but I'm 33 and I've had FM for 20 years, but I've never had these types of problems before the incident 2 years ago.

Any help/suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

~ K ~

[dustybrown]

Thanks for the tip! Let me know how things go. :)
-Dusty

[K728]

Thank you for the tips!  I've had a lot of tests done over the years, so I'll have to ask my doctor which of those I haven't had yet.

For the charlie horses, a coworker said she heard Dr Oz or someone say that putting a bar of soap in your bed will help.  It somehow helps to reduce the acid in your system.  I thought that was pretty odd, but I'm willing to try it!

Good luck with your sciatica!

[dustybrown]

Just thought I would let you know- coincidentally last night I woke up to a severe muscle cramp (charlie horse) in the middle of the night. It happened in my left calf, which is my affected side and also the one that has the neuropathy in my foot. I take a multivitamin religiously and I also drink a lot of fluids. I am fairly sure my cramps are due to my nerve dysfunction from my lumbar spine. I hope this helps you. I had one heck of a night and probably will be sore for a few days. Yikes!
-Dusty

[dustybrown]

Sciatica will cause intense muscle pain too in your legs. I have it really bad as well and I have nerve damage in my lumbar spine and degenerative disc disease diagnosed through a EMG and a nerve conduction test. Have you had these tests done? Perhaps you should. Also you should consider the MRI of you lower back too to find out if you have some bulging discs. Good luck.
-Dusty

[K728]

Hi Dusty and thank you for your response,

I've actually had sciatica in the past after a car accident, but this thing I'm going through seems to be more of a muscle problem than a nerve problem.  You know the feeling you get after working out a little too hard and the muscles get sore and tight?  Just increase that feeling as though you've compounded the pain and tightness from many workouts together and you've got my legs.

I'm definitely trying the increased water intake and I'm going to try suggestions from another group to take in extra magnesium along with my potassium.  For now, I'm at a loss for what else to try.  I'm putting off going to the doctor(s) because they are usually at a loss and just chalk things up to Fibromyalgia instead of seeing if there's another issue.

Thanks again,
~ K ~

[dustybrown]

Hello and welcome,
I would first make sure you are drinking enough fluids. Also, take a good multivitamin every day. Have you ever had an x-ray or MRI of your lower back taken? You may be suffering from sciatica, which can cause pain in your legs. I would google sciatica and see if the symptoms make sense for what you have been experiencing. Let me know what you think after you've done some reading.
-Dusty