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What Causes Twitching In Calves With Extreme Leg Cramps?

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Posted on Tue, 1 Jul 2014
Question: I have had twitching calves for 8 months with extreme cramping in legs feet at night. I was under enormous stress, the after things calmed down. About 2 months ago I started having unusual neurological symptoms. It statred with legs twitching fast viable the body jerks, I was hospitalized and they came up with slight low magnesium, I had a MRI of my cervical spine C5 C6 severe stenosis. bulging disks at every level my primary put me on valium and hydrocodone for the pain. The I began to get numb everywhere in my head, mostly in the morning, never sleep longer than a hour and half up with cramps or urinating, I have a buzzing of electricity at the base of my brain upper neck seems to be more present when I'm in spasms , that can last for days valium helps. somewhat I have a GFR of 35 Creatinine of 1.5 Medullary Sponge KIdney and chronic calcifications, had 3 surgerys to remove stones my nephrologist says this is not kidney related. I was reviewed in the hospital by a neurologist who specialized in ASL and Parkinson's doesn't think its related, thr MRI of my brain was inconclusive some symmetrical white matter and some other white matter but not in the pattern of MS. My Mother has MS. At this point the symptons have calmed downa day or so I have a sore throat and I am just exhausted. My neck is somewhat stiff but not as bad I do get the sere numbness in the morning and when I turn my head, also calves still twitch medicines calming that too. I was on prednisone for a week and all my symptoms disappeared except the twitching in calves if that helps
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Muscle stretching exercises may help

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your query carefully,it seems cervical canal stenosis is the cause of your suffering beside the changes seen in MRI of brain.This needs physical examination by neurosurgeon and if finding are suggestive of that you may need a need a disc removal cervical spine surgery.
As far muscle twitching/cramps are concerned muscle stretching exercises along with drugs baclofen,pregablin,vitamin B12,B 6 beside pregablin may help. Quinine solution also helps in reducing cramps.As these are prescription only drugs,you may discuss with your treating local doctor.You may continue to have low dose prednisolone under medical guidance till you reach any final diagnosis.Cramps are the common side effects of drugs used for asthma and cholesterol lowering drugs like statins.Are you on such drugs?
Hope this helps and I shall be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
Dr.chugh,orthopaedic surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (5 hours later)
I am not on any cholesterol lowering drugs like statin's. My blood pressure. cholesterol is fine. I exercise daily. I weigh 130 at 5' 6". I went to the nueor and neuro surgeon. The surgeon said that my neck could be causing some symptoms but not all. My bloodwork comes back fine other than low GFR and Creatinine but I do have MSK ? I have been drinking Quinine it doesn't help?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
May be vasculitis; rheumatologist may help us

Detailed Answer:
Hello
It's good to see you
After going through the whole discussion and your reports for the month of May and XXXXXXX it seems the disease which is affecting the kidney leading to decrease GFR (chronic kidney disease) may be the reason for your musculoskeletal suffering.
The muscle twitching is because of disturbed kidney function along with changes in brain leading to false impulse generation at brain level.
My suggestion would be -
1. A consultation with the Rheumatologist may help us.
2. Angiography that is blood vessel study of brain and kidney to diagnose vasculitis.
The most useful test to diagnose vasculitis is for "antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies"—often referred to as XXXXXXX A positive XXXXXXX test can help detect these types of vasculitis: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's), microscopic polyangiitis or eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss).
Meanwhile you may continue with prednisolone till we reach some conclusion.
Hope this helps to reach any diagnosis and further treatment.
Take care
Dr.chugh

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (2 hours later)
I was under the impression that vasculitis has a rash type component, I have no rash. Is it possible to havr Vasculitis without a rah and what type.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
All vasculitis are not associated with rash

Detailed Answer:
Hi
It’s good to see you
After going through your reply, it’s true that vasculitis is associated with rash but not necessarily with each type of vasculitis as in vasculitis of the kidneys which may produce no symptoms at first but is still a serious problem.
The most common tests to diagnose type of vasculitis are:
1. Biopsy—surgical removal of a small piece of tissue for inspection under a microscope
2. Angiography—a type of X-ray to look for abnormalities of blood vessels
3. Blood tests

Glucocorticoids (prednisone and others) are the main treatment. Patients also may be prescribed other medicines that suppress the immune system. These can help severe disease or let patients take lower doses of glucocorticoids.
My suggestion would be find a rheumatologist and meanwhile you may continue with the medicines as discussed earlier.
I hope this whole discussion gives you relief from your suffering and it would be my pleasure to help you further.
Take care and wishing you good health.
Dr.chugh


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (2 days later)
I was hospitalized with a severe headache they did a CT scan which showed nothing. They also tested me for vasculitis that came back negative the doctor asked me if there was any medicine that made me feel better and steroids are the only thing that helps, my neck is severely spasming. after starting the steroids itwas the only relief I got. I have been tested for all neurological problems,the neurosurgeon did not believe these problems are from my neck. I am trying to figure out the direction I should go in now. Thank you for your help!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Steroid sparing drugs may help

Detailed Answer:
Hi
It's really disheartening the suffering you are going through. You may look for rheumatologist; he may be of some help. He may prescribe steroid sparing drugs which acts like steroid but are safer in the long run like cyclophosphamide and so on if he feel so.
I wish I could be of more help to you.
Take care and wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr.chugh

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Mukesh Chugh

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement

Practicing since :1997

Answered : 1619 Questions

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What Causes Twitching In Calves With Extreme Leg Cramps?

Brief Answer: Muscle stretching exercises may help Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for posting I have gone through your query carefully,it seems cervical canal stenosis is the cause of your suffering beside the changes seen in MRI of brain.This needs physical examination by neurosurgeon and if finding are suggestive of that you may need a need a disc removal cervical spine surgery. As far muscle twitching/cramps are concerned muscle stretching exercises along with drugs baclofen,pregablin,vitamin B12,B 6 beside pregablin may help. Quinine solution also helps in reducing cramps.As these are prescription only drugs,you may discuss with your treating local doctor.You may continue to have low dose prednisolone under medical guidance till you reach any final diagnosis.Cramps are the common side effects of drugs used for asthma and cholesterol lowering drugs like statins.Are you on such drugs? Hope this helps and I shall be glad to answer any further query. Take care Dr.chugh,orthopaedic surgeon