Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Can Severe Muscles Cramps In An Elderly Person Be Treated?
Question: Hello, I am 70 yr. old female, I have arthritis, diabetes, and depression. Medications are taken for all of these but began to experience extreme arthritic pain, was prescribed Mobic, Naproxen, and now Celebrex. After taking the first one, Mobic, it started experiencing body cramps with no pain, so I was changed to Naproxen and it gave me the same cramps, now with Celebrex I am having the same cramps. My blood work is great, my A1C is 6, so what would be the next step?
Brief Answer:
First, look into muscles.
Detailed Answer:
Pain is pretty simple. You find what hurts and see what is wrong with it. You know muscles versus joints, so, it's muscles.
They are bags of proteins. Check the electolytes, check the muscle enzymes. This is not a common reaction with NSAIDS. Frankly I use them for their OPPOSITE effect...they prevent the production of hormones that break down muscle. IN over 40 year olds the benefits of muscle building (in males) from barbells is increased by blocking muscle breakdown. Muscle breakdown hormones are active after age 30 which is why atheletes are not. Obviously you are having an uncommon reaction to the action of these drugs. If it is only the stomach/abdomen then it is the very very common effect of NSAIDS on gut lining. I am very doubtful you meant this. The NSAIDS (all of them, especially celebrex) have effects on kidney function. It is likely there is an effect on this and then the muscles have problems from electrolytes. Or it's a very unusual effect which might be found on bloodwork showing muscle breakdown.... oh....
It just occurs to me that NSAIDS affect the excretion of other medications. While NSAIDS are rare to effect muscles... I'm having to invent possibilities for it, many other drugs often have effects on muscles and any drug that any part of it goes out thru the kidney WILL BE AFFECTED BY NSAIDS.
So, bloodwork to look at electrolytes and muscle enzymes... then LOWERING ALL THE OTHER MEDICATIONS YOU ARE ON. heh, bet he didn't think a that!!
First, look into muscles.
Detailed Answer:
Pain is pretty simple. You find what hurts and see what is wrong with it. You know muscles versus joints, so, it's muscles.
They are bags of proteins. Check the electolytes, check the muscle enzymes. This is not a common reaction with NSAIDS. Frankly I use them for their OPPOSITE effect...they prevent the production of hormones that break down muscle. IN over 40 year olds the benefits of muscle building (in males) from barbells is increased by blocking muscle breakdown. Muscle breakdown hormones are active after age 30 which is why atheletes are not. Obviously you are having an uncommon reaction to the action of these drugs. If it is only the stomach/abdomen then it is the very very common effect of NSAIDS on gut lining. I am very doubtful you meant this. The NSAIDS (all of them, especially celebrex) have effects on kidney function. It is likely there is an effect on this and then the muscles have problems from electrolytes. Or it's a very unusual effect which might be found on bloodwork showing muscle breakdown.... oh....
It just occurs to me that NSAIDS affect the excretion of other medications. While NSAIDS are rare to effect muscles... I'm having to invent possibilities for it, many other drugs often have effects on muscles and any drug that any part of it goes out thru the kidney WILL BE AFFECTED BY NSAIDS.
So, bloodwork to look at electrolytes and muscle enzymes... then LOWERING ALL THE OTHER MEDICATIONS YOU ARE ON. heh, bet he didn't think a that!!
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
