Suggest Treatment For Leg Cramps When Suffering From Diabetes

Posted on Fri, 28 Nov 2014

Question: My husband is a type 2 diabetic controlled on glypizide2.5 mg TID, metformin1000mg BID, actos 15mg QD, lisinopril 2.5mg QD, and gabapentin 2 in the a.m., 1 at noon, and 1-2 in the evening. He is also on (2) 400mg Mg oxide, 81mg aspirin, 40mg Lipitor, and 1 Centrum Silver 50+ mens per day. He is and industrial Electrician and had been working 12-16 hour days for the last 2 months and has gotten me up in the middle of the night several times a week with very bad leg cramps. Is there anything I can do for this on a Sunday so that my husband can get some sleep tonight. I am an R.N., but have not practiced in 7 years.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Possible causes of cramps

Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern. The possible causes of his cramps are 1) Dehydration 2) Neuropathy 3) Calcium or vitamin D deficiency 4) Electrolyte imbalance.

I presume that he take Gabapentin for neuropathy. You must request your GP to get his blood tests for fasting Calcium, albumin, electrolytes, Phosphorus, creatinine and urea done.

He may benefit with Calcium ( atleast 500-600 mg elemental calcium a day) along with 2000 units of Vitamin D a day.

Besides make sure that he is well hydrated.

For the muscle cramps, Quinine is a good time tested drug, once at night.

Please feel free to ask more

Regards
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (6 minutes later)

Thank you, he has an appt. on Wed afternoon, but I would like to call his dr. tomorrow with my concerns again and possible solutions for Wed. appt. as well as blood work for Wed. as he won't be working any less until sometime in Dec. Thank you again. Neonatal Nursing doesn't really prepare one for adult care.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Wish him a speedy recovery

Detailed Answer:
You are very right. Medical education is very focused. I get my head spinning if someone ask me a qestion about pediatrics or new born care.

I wish him a speedy recovery.

Regards
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (11 hours later)

Thank you again you were very helpful and I appreciate all of your information and suggestions. Jenni Boonie

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (25 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Thanks. If there are no further questions, may I request you to close the query?

Regards and best wishes

Binu

Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar