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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Leg cramps are keeping me awake
        
(Message started by: Toolman on Mar 8^th, 2005, 3:25am)

Title: Leg cramps are keeping me awake
Post by Toolman on Mar 8^th, 2005, 3:25am

I have been having my headaches now since the middle of June. Nothing seemed to work until I started using Liththium. Was up to 900mg a day taken at night. But had such bad leg cramps I was only getting about 45 mins of sleep a night. Pain reduced, but not gone, but no more knives in the eye kind of thing. I have now been reduced to 300mg a day, but the pain has returned. So I guess its back to the 900mg and the leg cramps. Anyone experienced this, and what can I do. My wife says that I've become a grumpy old man. Just got over a good one, which is why I'm on this late. Thanks in advance to all of you.

Title: Re: Leg cramps are keeping me awake
Post by nani on Mar 8^th, 2005, 8:53am

Hi Toolman...is lithium the only med you're taking right now? If so, have a look at this. I've cut my lithium dose in half with this. Read through the whole thread and see about meds interactions. It's been very promising for some of us! Pain free wishes, nani
http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=meds;action=display;num=1107368408

Title: Re: Leg cramps are keeping me awake
Post by Karla on Mar 8^th, 2005, 9:10am

I get leg cramps all the time. The dr. told me it was due to drinking to much milk. I cut back on the milk and the cramps stoped. However 20 years latter the cramps have returned and I am at al loss for why?! I don't think I would stop the lithium talk to your dr about ways to treat the all the time leg cramps.

Title: your NOT a grumpy OLD man
Post by snook on Mar 8^th, 2005, 1:05pm

:-* :-* :-* :-* Dear Toolman, I hope you can share this with your wife, Im a wife of a ch and a supporter. First and formost do not I repeat allow anyone tell you your old or grumpy, your as so MANY trying to live with this horriable ch life I have to admit I stopped reading your story when I heard GRUMPY OLD MAN, it broke my heart your doing the best you can so dont give up or let ANYONE PUT You down....... I want to reach out to your wife now I know howhard it is to live and deal with a ch and all other medical problems that come But I beg of you as a women and a human being , be patient thier life is so hard and they know how hard it is for the family belive me it pains them MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW..... Please be patient , pray to what ever higher power you have be kind , believe me you will find an innerpeacein youself for understanding what our poor chs have to go through. Please read some of the testamonials( spelled wrong) learn the pain they go through, I dont mean to come off Im all that but it will hurt you and yours if understanding and knowledge does not become your shield, Ill pray for you toolman be strong your not alone, SNOOK

Title: Re: Leg cramps are keeping me awake
Post by pattik on Mar 8^th, 2005, 7:42pm

Maybe your leg cramps have no relation to your headaches and medicine. Two other possible explainations could be dehydration or a lack of calcium absorbtion. You might want to do a little research. Here is one site:http://health.allrefer.com/health/leg-pain-info.html

Title: Re: Leg cramps are keeping me awake
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Mar 8^th, 2005, 8:18pm

You might want to ask your doc about Quinine. It's known to reduce leg cramps in many people.

Also ... and don't laugh! ... I've read in several places that putting a bar of soap under the mattress really helps. Ok ... that's probably an old wife's tale, but what the hell!? It sure couldn't hurt.

Best Wishes for PFDAN!

Kris

Title: Re: Leg cramps are keeping me awake
Post by survivor13 on Mar 21^st, 2005, 3:15pm

i too had serious leg cramps while sleeping (would have to stand up and force my leg to walk for sometimes ten minutes)! lack of pottassium. started eating bannah's! it worked!

Title: Re: Leg cramps are keeping me awake
Post by BobG on Mar 21^st, 2005, 8:23pm

on 03/08/05 at 09:10:53, Karla wrote:

Hey Karla........20 Years ago it was growing pains. Now it's.......uhmmmm....uh....to be polite..........

OLD AGE! ;)

Toolman, only lithium? I don't remember anyone being on just lithium. But, I don't remember a lot of things. Usually lithium is taken with verapamil. I may be wrong, and if I am, please someone correct me.

Survivor has good advice for the leg cramps. Potassium from the drug store or banana, banana, banana.

Title: Re: Leg cramps are keeping me awake
Post by jokrs2 on Mar 23^rd, 2005, 8:32pm

Hi Toolman(Grumps) ;;D Meaning that in the nicest way as I am one also. >:(
I have RLS (restless leg syndrome) and it causes unbelievable cramping. My 12 year old eats all the bananas before I can get to them so I keep a big stash of Gatorade and Powerade jugs and drink them liberally. Water doesn't help stop my cramping at all so I think my potassium levels are suspect, but then with RLS, who knows [smiley=huh.gif].
I wish you relief. Hang in there you wonderful spouse (to your wife). I just sleep in a different room so that my constant jerking & twitching doesn't driver her crazy. :-X