had a quick exchange with Dr Baraki on mid-exercise muscle cramps while at the San Diego seminar, at which time, he shared that he occasionally experienced the “joy” as well. aside from the miracle cures of pickle juice and sleeping with a bar of soap, there never seems to be any real antidote. have had leg cramps since jr. high school and in my 60s, started getting them while sleeping, and now (mid-70s) experience them almost nightly. always quiz my PCP re developments and keep my eyes peeled online - always to disappointment, however, of all places, came across an interview on NPR that mentioned the use of anti-seizure drugs:
Dr. Yuen So, a neurologist who specializes in muscle cramps at Stanford University. Dr. So had just finished his own research for treatments, and there were some promising things: a blood pressure medication and even Vitamin B, but nothing that worked for everyone…(but, for one patient) it was an anti-seizure medication that ultimately worked.
https://www.npr.org/transcripts/124888051
have run across research showing success of anti-convulsant for nerve damage, but nothing re using them for cramps…while it sounds like the Rx is as bad as the affliction, when I get a good one, I would be willing to drink battery acid to make it go away. Have you heard of this? Does the concept make sense/offer hope? Any idea of a timeline for trials, or best of all, an available treatment?
Thanks!
The specific drugs don’t seem to be named in that article, but if I had to guess, they’re likely referring to gabapentin. While technically an anticonvulsant, it’s hardly used for that anymore, and is used much moreso for neuropathic issues (with mixed success). There is some evidence for its use in nocturnal cramps, although I don’t tend to use it as a first-line option.
[quote=“Austin Baraki, post:2, topic:11976, username:Austin_Baraki”]
…they’re likely referring to gabapentin. While technically an anticonvulsant, it’s hardly used for that anymore, and is used much more so for neuropathic issues (with mixed success). There is some evidence for its use in nocturnal cramps, although I don’t tend to use it as a first-line option.
[/quote]
any chance of sharing what options you would consider - would like to mention it to my PCP - just want to get a good night’s rest (esp as i’m entering my prostate-years). seem to get them during my deep sleep cycle and it feels like my femoral bicep is going to rip loose from my pelvis. unfortunately, sweating bullets and swearing doesn’t seem to help
Thanks for your reply, Doctor Baraki
Unfortunately this is a bit of an involved conversation, since nocturnal leg cramps can come from a variety of causes (or be “idiopathic”, i.e., no clear identifiable cause at all) and it is important to evaluate for these things – such as iron deficiency, kidney or liver problems, neurologic and metabolic disorders, and medication-induced cramps – before jumping to treatment recommendations. These are the kinds of things your PCP should be able to walk you through.
For management, non-medication approaches are typically preferred (there’s actually some evidence for stretching here, and for light physical activity such as brief cycling before bed). As far a supplements/medicines, there’s a small amount of evidence for vitamin B complex, verapamil/diltiazem, and gabapentin. But to reiterate, working through this with a PCP is important before jumping to treatments.
THANKS! Dr. Baraki - this gives me a great jumping off point for just such a discussion - this has been going on since the mid-1950s and has gotten progressively worse in both frequency and intensity, so you can imagine my interest. Very much appreciate it. And, again, the Cholesterol articles are dynamite! Have shared with all my geezer friends.