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Suggest Treatment For Muscle Spasms In Leg
Question: Hi, my name is XXXXXXX I am 70 years old and I am having muscle spasms in my legs almost every night which interrupts my sleep. I had an episode a couple of weeks ago with my right heel that I went to my doctor and He put me on prednisone for ten days. 20 mg. Not only did my heel get better, but I never had any muscle spasms. I had an awesome two weeks of uninterrupted sleep, with the exception of bathroom trips, but no muscle spasms. My question is, Is there a low dose prednisone that I can take all the time?
Brief Answer:
Stretching of muscles can prevent cramps
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting
I have studied your case carefully and would like to know about the status of your heel pain in your reply?The Cramp are caused by hyper excitability of the nerves that stimulate the muscles. Cramp at rest are very common, especially in older adults, but may be experienced at any age, including childhood. Rest cramps often occur during the night. While not life threatening, night cramps (commonly known as nocturnal cramps) can be painful, disruptive of sleep, and they can recur frequently (that is, many times a night, and/or many nights each week).
The cause of cramps is as following- 1. Low blood levels of either calcium or magnesium directly increase the excitability of both the nerve endings and the muscles they stimulate. This may be a predisposing factor for the spontaneous true cramps experienced by many older adults. Cramp can also occur in excessive vomiting, dehydration. 2. On drugs which causes excessive urination. Leading to low calcium, Magnesium, potassium level. Drugs given for asthma, angina and Parkinsonism also lead to cramps. Cholesterol lowering drugs like statin also cause cramps on chronic use. 3. Several vitamin deficiency states may directly or indirectly lead to muscle cramps. These include deficiencies of thiamine (B1), pantothenic acid (B5), and pyridoxine (B6). Most cramps can be stopped if the muscle can be stretched. For many cramps of the feet and legs, this stretching can often be accomplished by standing up and walking around. Gently massaging the muscle will often help it to relax, as will applying warmth from a heating pad or hot soak. If the cramp is associated with fluid loss, as is often the case with vigorous physical activity, fluid and electrolyte (especially sodium and potassium) replacement is essential. Certain drugs like baclofen are helpful. A simple way to prevent night cramp is stretch your calf muscle before going to bed 3-4 times and each time holding for 10-15 seconds. Quinine water tonic is also useful to prevent night cramps before going to bed.
Steroid (prednisolone) are not recommended for long term use because of associated side effects,however small the dose may be.
I hope this information will be helpful to prevent night cramps. If you have further query I shall be glad to answer.
Take care and wish you good health
Regard
Stretching of muscles can prevent cramps
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting
I have studied your case carefully and would like to know about the status of your heel pain in your reply?The Cramp are caused by hyper excitability of the nerves that stimulate the muscles. Cramp at rest are very common, especially in older adults, but may be experienced at any age, including childhood. Rest cramps often occur during the night. While not life threatening, night cramps (commonly known as nocturnal cramps) can be painful, disruptive of sleep, and they can recur frequently (that is, many times a night, and/or many nights each week).
The cause of cramps is as following- 1. Low blood levels of either calcium or magnesium directly increase the excitability of both the nerve endings and the muscles they stimulate. This may be a predisposing factor for the spontaneous true cramps experienced by many older adults. Cramp can also occur in excessive vomiting, dehydration. 2. On drugs which causes excessive urination. Leading to low calcium, Magnesium, potassium level. Drugs given for asthma, angina and Parkinsonism also lead to cramps. Cholesterol lowering drugs like statin also cause cramps on chronic use. 3. Several vitamin deficiency states may directly or indirectly lead to muscle cramps. These include deficiencies of thiamine (B1), pantothenic acid (B5), and pyridoxine (B6). Most cramps can be stopped if the muscle can be stretched. For many cramps of the feet and legs, this stretching can often be accomplished by standing up and walking around. Gently massaging the muscle will often help it to relax, as will applying warmth from a heating pad or hot soak. If the cramp is associated with fluid loss, as is often the case with vigorous physical activity, fluid and electrolyte (especially sodium and potassium) replacement is essential. Certain drugs like baclofen are helpful. A simple way to prevent night cramp is stretch your calf muscle before going to bed 3-4 times and each time holding for 10-15 seconds. Quinine water tonic is also useful to prevent night cramps before going to bed.
Steroid (prednisolone) are not recommended for long term use because of associated side effects,however small the dose may be.
I hope this information will be helpful to prevent night cramps. If you have further query I shall be glad to answer.
Take care and wish you good health
Regard
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Mukesh Chugh
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :1997
Answered : 1619 Questions
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