muscle cramping

Last week I started on Baclofen 10mg 3x/day for muscle spasms I get in the morning but mostly for the persistant muscle tightness of my lower body that I have all day despite frequent stretching, hot tub ect. It has helped a lot. I am post GBS x 7 months.

I have cramps/tightness in my calves just about every morning, and also in my toes. It seems to go away pretty quickly and I am not taking any meds for it. I am 18 months post and would say about 85% just curious as well if there are any explainations?

Hi. My GBS was ten years ago. I have sporadic muscle cramping, mostly in my legs, but when I get one, it is usually horrific until it subsides. The location and intensity varies. Any spot in my upper or lower leg seems to be fair game. The pain may last 30 seconds to 10 minutes, usually at night. Since they are so painful (and since I try to avoid be on medication), I have been experimenting with different therapies. So for what it is worth, these are some things that I have tried. I was in the local vitamin/health store where I found a small bottle with some brownish liquid in it for just under twenty bucks. (oh, brother!!!) The label claims that it will get rid of cramps immediately. The ingredients were apple cider vinegar, ginger and garlic. I came home and “googled” apple cider vinegar and muscle cramps, and found information that it IS a therapy for cramping. My most recent cramp was in my calf. I sprang out of bed and headed for kitchen where I drank a glass of about 8 ounces water with a couple of Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar stirred in. Then I sat down and poured some (full strength) into my palm and massaged it into my calf. All signs of the cramp were gone in about two minutes. It beats writhing in pain. Cramping can occur as a result of dehydration, so be sure to drink water. Cramping can be a sign of mineral deficiencies so be sure you are getting your calcium, potasium, and magnesium. ( I have a chewable calcium/magnesium tablet that I take at the sign of a cramp with big glass of water.) Also, quinine is supposed to help and my neurologist recommended tonic water to get quinine. I drink the diet version and hated it at first but got used to it quickly and don’t mind it at all. I only drink it when the cramps seem frequent. Finally, I experiment with stretching or slacking the muscle or pushing on the muscle for relief. Sometimes, I can find a position that eases the pain. If you are still reading after all of this long windedness, I hope this may help. : )

I am 6 years post onset and still experience muscle cramping or the threat of a cramp or two if I try to stretch my legs. I am okay doing a yoga stretch dvd (it is gentle and yet gives me a sense of getting a work out), but those early morning hours are scary. I also was wondering about being very sore, stiff, and achy in the morning. I know I was while still sick and in the first year or so, but didn’t realize others had the same thing so long after. I have tried magnesium and calcium supplements, am on a muscle relaxant, make sure I stay hydrated (bought 30oz tumblers and do a mix of coconut water, lemon juice and filtered water and end up drinking about 4 tumblers a day, plus i keep one nearby at night), I keep bananas on hand too. I also started drinking the apple cider vinegar (Bragg’s is the best! I can actually drink it straight and enjoy it) for health benefits. I still haven’t been able to ward off the cramps/threat of cramps or twitching completely but at least I am trying to do better things for my overall well being. It does get better with time, when I realized I was not twitching as much after all this time I thought something was wrong LOL. I did make tonic water a staple in our house and drank it often. It does take some getting used to, but if it is really cold it is quite refreshing and once you are used to the taste (it isn’t a bad nasty taste, just a different one. Kinda citrus-y). Hope you find relief and solace.

I think my steroid infusions are aggravating my cramping (Solu-Medrol every two weeks). After treatment with IVIG, cramps in my calves,back, hands, neck, and throat increase. I try to stay well hydrated before, during and after treatment, and I think it helps. Yesterday, during infusion, my hands, neck, and throat began cramping. It’s very frustrating and a little scary, especially when I’m talking (or singing in the shower – go ahead…laugh) and my throat locks up and I have no way to stop it…I can only gurgle through it, stretch my neck by pulling my head back, and pray it goes away.

Just so you know, my reflection thinks I have a great singing voice.

I’m one year in after diagnosis and its somewhat comforting to hear that there is a reason for my cramping. I have found that increasing my dosage of turmeric (curcumin) has helped, in addition to some of the other recommendations (potassium is important…eat bananas!)

If you decide to try turmeric, be sure to get it with black pepper (piperine will be the ingredient to look for) as it helps with absorption. Piping Rock is where I get mine. I’m sure all vitamin/supplement sites carry it as well. I’m taking 2000mg a day. NOT a recommendation! Just what I do. I also split it up in a morning and evening dosage so there is a constant supply in my system.

Hello everyone, I am five months since my attack with GBS. I’ve been working and driving already after 3 months.I know tingling of hands and feet is normal to us.Also fatigue occurs most of the time.Does anybody, if I may ask experienced light headedness? or this is caused by my eyes optic nerves coz i had double at that time . Also, very seldom I get headaches .Are these symptoms normal to us? Please help me get answers guys.Thank you and have a Happy new year to us all.

Hey Carliam,

So sorry to hear about GBS. It’s a tough one, but you can get it through it. You are at the toughest point in you recovery (in my opinion). This is the time that you start getting back to your normal day life, but still deal with all of the little nuisances that gbs causes. I think getting light headed is fairly normal. I went through the same thing when I was just a few months out. I wish I could say that this stopped, but every so often, it will still occur. Doctors said that it was probably due to the orthostatic hypotension. Basically every time you stand up, it’s taking a little longer than normal for the blood to reach your brain. Which is to be expected when your muscles aren’t working as fast as they once did. This is probably where the headaches are coming from too. This will get better. As your muscles get stronger, and you start moving more and more, these episodes will start occur less frequently. Until then, hang in there, keep your head up, and keep working hard. It DOES get easier. Best of luck to you!!

Jamie

hello jamie,

Thank you very much for the quick response,yes your right, tough indeed.At first I feel like a broken glass glued together with a bit of bumps it might break again. But now, people such as yourself had given me hope and inspiration. It gives me strength to face the world again. God bless you jamie.

I get what I call Charlie horses when I either over work or stretch a certain muscle.

Its been nice to go through your post.
It has given me much knowledge & so many valuable information.

I’m feeling very nice to be here. so enjoyable…! 😉 😉 😉