Forum Discussion

LisaG's avatar
LisaG
Member
13 years ago

Cramps

hi Girls - I am having a real problem with cramps and i have no idea if it has anything to do with chemo reactions.... I am a couple of weeks post my (last) chemo dose and have been feeling pretty good (considering) so had a bit of a walk the other day and also did a bit of upper body work in scrubbing sea turtle tanks and stuff - not a real lot of physical exercise but the most I've been able to manage in the past four months.  Well anyway - I dont know if this has brought on my cramping or the fact that I have had diarrhea for five days... I have had severe cramps in my feet!  The pain of it wakes me up and it seems as soon as I try to relax my feet, the tendons start to cramp in so that my big toe either bends down at the knuckle or sticks straight up, then starts a chain reaction up my shin or my calf, depending on which way toe goes... what the?! I have hit the Staminade big time and the only thing that worked yesterday was an hour long soak in a bath of epsom salts. I cant work out how such a wierd thing is happening but I want it to stop! Has anyone else had this? Of course you ask the doc or nurses and their standard answer in my case at present is: no, I havent heard of that but you have had some really unusual reactions compared to others so it MAY be a chemo thing... frustrating! Any suggestions?

  • Maria333's avatar
    Maria333
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hello LisaG,

    You brought back memories of those nasty night time foot cramps I use to have. Oh yes I can relate.  I would say it is all the toxic chemo, the fact that you had diarrhea would not have helped. The staminade was a good idea. I also found that a warm salt bath helped. I can only offer alternative therapy suggestions that I have tried, such as a massage. Find a good oncology massage therapist in your area. Accupunture, and reiki. Even try a general massage yourself or ask your partner.

    All the best.

    Maria333

     

  • magicmum's avatar
    magicmum
    Member
    13 years ago

    I had an appt today and myonc said my magnesium levels were low. She asked if I suffered from cramp ! I said no, but she said take some magnesium anyway.

    I wonder if yours is the same ? Ask about your magnesium level. I know it is helpful for menopausal leg cramps - who knows, might be the answer.

    I got a full magnesium supplement from a health food store - all the variations in a combined tablet.

    Hope that helps

    magicmum

  • LisaG's avatar
    LisaG
    Member
    13 years ago
    Thanks girls - sounds like I definitely need to get more assertive with my support crew - I've only ever had ONE call from my supposed breast care nurse! I have mainly relied on a good friend of mine who is actually working in my onc clinic. Sounds like I also need to chase up a decent massuer. I have a booking with a chiropractor tomorrow because I think I pulled a muscle in my back when I was cleaning sea turtle tanks last week. My cramps have really backed off but are threatening in the background... I have invested in magnesium and I think its working :-) I feel the tendons tightening and and if I quickly stretch my foot out, it seems to avoid the full cramp. How do I get my magnesium levels checked? I have a review with my onc on Friday and my first radiation onc appt. tomorrow.... I reckon I will also ask my not very helpful nurse about self lymphatic drainage massage - I've never been advised about that either.... so much to learn!
  • magicmum's avatar
    magicmum
    Member
    13 years ago

    Maybe an osteopath ? I used to see one every 4 mths for a general grease and oil change but I haven't been since this all started. I'm thinking I'll go back - mine was a miracle worker with all sorts of tweaks and creaks. I like it because they use you own body to fix you ?

    Worth a try . .

    magicmum

  • LisaG's avatar
    LisaG
    Member
    13 years ago
    Thanks for the thoughts, MagicMum - I will look in to that. I went to my chiropractor last week and it felt sooo good to get a damn good cracking! I have booked a massage for next week. I am now 5 weeks post chemo and still the cramps continue.... not so bad but not gone, all the same. I had a review with my onc and asked how my magnesium levels looked n he said "better than mine". I guess it must'nt be that, then. My legs and lower back ache constantly, I'm getting headaches and my bung knee has come back.... my GP agrees its most likely still chemo reactions. I started on Panadol Osteo today so hopefully that will start to work by tomorrow. The good news is - we are working towards getting me back on to Warfarinby next week. I only have three more days of self injecting Clexane - yay!
  • Mich_x's avatar
    Mich_x
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Lisa

    Another suggestion for the aches and pains if you are like me and can't take anti-inflammatories for tummy reasons then there is a natural anti-inflam available called Nalgesic Forte which can be bought from a Naturopath or try the health food shops.

    I suffer from aches and pains and I find this helps with only one and occasionally two per day.

    Just a suggestion as I know there is nothing worse than constant day in day out aches and pains.

    Good luck and glad to hear you will be able to stop the injections soon.  It is nice when we can take these baby steps to getting our life back on track.

    My last chemo was 20th July and my GP reckons it can take a good six months to get it out of your system.  I am slowly getting there and definitely seeing that light at the end of the tunnel.  It will be in your sights before too long my lovely I am sure.

    Mich xoxoxo

  • Mich_x's avatar
    Mich_x
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Lisa

    Another suggestion for the aches and pains if you are like me and can't take anti-inflammatories for tummy reasons then there is a natural anti-inflam available called Nalgesic Forte which can be bought from a Naturopath or try the health food shops.

    I suffer from aches and pains and I find this helps with only one and occasionally two per day.

    Just a suggestion as I know there is nothing worse than constant day in day out aches and pains.

    Good luck and glad to hear you will be able to stop the injections soon.  It is nice when we can take these baby steps to getting our life back on track.

    My last chemo was 20th July and my GP reckons it can take a good six months to get it out of your system.  I am slowly getting there and definitely seeing that light at the end of the tunnel.  It will be in your sights before too long my lovely I am sure.

    Mich xoxoxo

  • Mich_x's avatar
    Mich_x
    Member
    13 years ago

    mmmmm sorry Lisa I tried for you luv.  It sounds like you are grabbing the bull by the horns and making the most of the lil things, well done girl, keep it up but I know what you mean by it makes you exhausted and days to recover but oh my god it is worth it hey?

    Well done and keep it going, just don't push yourself tooooo hard.  It is the lil things in life that we seem to enjoy the most these days which is perfect.

    Take care, LOL, Mich xoxoxo