leg cramps and balance

Relist: No answer yet.
I need an answer to my questions...I can still feel the effect of a leg cramp I had Saturday evening 9/16 and this is 9/21.    I think it is a reasonable question but it is not bad enough to see a doctor unless you think so.

I'm sorry for the delay. Can you add some medical history: chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure...) or take any medications daily (including OTC), normal activity level, diet...? Where in your legs do you feel the cramps the worst? Is the pain equal bilaterally or worse on one side? Other than the swelling related to your footwear, do you notice any swelling related to the cramping? Do you notice burning, numbness, tingling, color or temperature changes in your feet or lower extremities?

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I hope my information is helpful. If you have more questions, just ask! I will gladly help, otherwise please click "accept".
Positive feedback and any bonus would be appreciated. Thank you, Christy

Christy, thank you for answering...I began to think no one would. I do not have diabetes or high blood pressure. About a year ago, I went to the ER because of feeling so bad...weak...and I thought I was coming down with flu or something and wanted to stay well to be able to care for my husband.   They only found some enlarged enzynes and after three tests determined these not heart related. I'm careless about meds but should take one baby aspirin and calcium and vitamins every day.   The only thing I have taken lately is the aspirin. The pain is inside my right leg---thigh area down to knee...but also calf--right side. When I wear the support stockings I think it makes my feet look a little bluish and also brings out more tiny veins.

Mary
MOTNAYR@AOL.COM

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I had to break your information down to make sure I looked at your symptoms, and addressed your actual questions. Please let me know if I missed a question, or you have any new questions you’d like included in your answer.

Episodes of leg cramps can have many underlying causes, ranging from
-disorders of the hip and back, (inflammation irritates certain nerves which misfire and cause their target muscles to cramp), to
-vascular disorders such as superficial or deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, etc. These conditions starve the muscle of it’s blood supply generating the pain; to
-Disorders affecting the kidneys, or liver can result in leg cramping related to build up of toxins that can not be excreted efficiently;
and certain autoimmune disorders (arthritis, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and lupus for example). These cause cramps for reasons specific to the specific disorder.
You indicated that your enzymes were elevated, but a cardiac cause was “ruled out”. Assuming these enzymes were run as part of a cardiac profile, you would be referring to what we call the cardiac enzymes. Though elevation can indicate heart muscle damage, these enzymes are found in other muscle tissue throughout the body as well. Tissue damage from several sources such as autoimmune disorders,   some medications ( cholesterol-lowering drugs for example), kidney failure, recent surgery or serious injury, and chronic heart conditions, such as cardiomyopathy.

The recent onset of balance disturbance , though it is mild and may or may not be related to the leg cramps, should be investigated immediately. Again, a benign cause is highly likely, but certain conditions should be ruled out. Balance can be effected by any of the above disorders, or may be related to stress, sleep disturbance, or temporary drops in blood pressure sometimes seen at night or with rapid position change. Conditions of the middle and inner ear as well as idiopathic vertigo can also produce this sensation.

In evaluating the source of your cramps and balance disorder , the Doctor will generally seek to rule out life threatenting and serious conditions first. A cardiac exam, a comprehensive lab work and a good history and physical is the first step. The repeated episodes may indicate the need for a doppler or ultrasound study of the lower extremities. Your recent ballance concerns will also indicate a good Neurological exam. Many internists will do the initial physical neuro exam, and perhaps order radiological studies of the head and neck before referring you to a Neurologist. Other Docotrs will choose to order a Neuro consult. Assuming these tests do not identify a cause, follow upr may continue with a Rheumotologist to investigate potential autoimmune causes. Your previous follow up seemed to stop after ruling out an impending crisis. I woulld recommend more in depth follow up at this time since the symptoms have not resolved, and your balance has suffered recently.

Leg cramps are often eased with Quinine, whether the underlying cause is evident or not. It is not available OTC any longer. You may discuss this option with your Physician as an option for symptom relief while awaiting test results. He may advise you to wait until certain conditions are eliminated from suspicion. Routine exercise and stretching as tolerated, good hydration, NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen or Aleve, and a diet low in sodium and simple sugars and high in complex carbs and lean protein. Apply moist heat to cramping muscles, but ice down the muscle in the aftermath to reduce the inflammation causing the lingering tenderness.   
There's no evidence that wearing support stockings can prevent leg cramps. But they might help if varicose veins are causing your legs to cramp. If the pain is related to a back, hip or other connective tissue disorder, the orthotic footwear may have helped by improving your posture and relieving pressure on nerves. You may choose to use either or both for your comfort.

__________________
I hope my information is helpful. If you have more questions, just ask! I will gladly help, otherwise please click "accept".
Positive feedback and any bonus would be appreciated. Thank you, Christy

Christy,

Almost ready to accept...is there anything wrong with wearing full support hose from ladies department stores instead of from health supply store? And I stopped wearing a certain pair of slippers at night when I go to the bathroom and seems the balance is a little better???   Am considering Stretch and Flex exercises at our community beginning Monday.   Was doing these with my husband until he got too sick.   I just lost him in July and he was the greatest friend I ever had.   I miss him very much.

When you answer above, I am ready to accept.

Mary
MOTNAYR@AOL.COM

Please don't feel rushed, I am happy to answer your questions until you get what you need from our service.

Graduated support hose aid the veins in there function by gently increasing pressure (tightness) from ankle to hip, promoting venous return (veins work with valves and when they wear out or weaken they are less effective returning blood from the dependant extremities). Graduated support hose or TED hose are ordered by a Physician and purchased at drug stores and healthcare supply stores. The support hose available OTC has some amount of "graduation, traditional support hosiery is not graduated. If ordered by the Doctor, or if the health food store hose have relieved your pain I would stick with them.

A stretch/flex class sounds like a good idea. Make sure your Doctor is aware, but I see no contraindications. Listen closely to body signals and do not strain muscles or joints to the discomfort stage. Yoga is another excellent choice (not Pilates). I practice myself several times a week since fracturing four vertebrae and tearing two ligaments in my knee and one in my ankle. A good instructor will be educated in the positions most beneficial for relieving chronic muscle cramping, in fact I could speak to my yogi if you like and get some position names that you could then take to a local instructor to learn.

I am so sorry to hear about your husband. It is touching to hear the love in your voice. I recently divorced and I pray I will one day speak of someone with so much love and friendship. Without meaning to get too personal, it is my true belief that he can feel your love and hear such praise, and that must be heaven.

The level of stress you are under my also be a piece of the puzzle as well. You may consider a support group or some grief counseling. Your local Hospice can refer you to these resources.

I will send my Email via private message and I hope you keep in touch. Sincerely, Christy

Edited by cch771 on September 23 2006 at 12:20pm

__________________
I hope my information is helpful. If you have more questions, just ask! I will gladly help, otherwise please click "accept".
Positive feedback and any bonus would be appreciated. Thank you, Christy

Relist:
Information on YOGA would be interesting.

Thank you for your sympathy.   It is comforting.

I am sad to think of all the things you must have been through...divorce is like a death, I think.

There is one more health question I am going to ask you for my sister when I am in touch with her tomorrow and then I will see a Doctor next week.

Thank you.

Mary
MOTNAYR@AOL.COM

I will get you some info on yoga positions asap.    I am very sad to be divorcing and it has the feel of a miserable chronic illness. On the other hand I have two beautiful, smart, happy girls, fulfilling work, and a supportive family, so I count these blessings daily.

You do have my sympathy, but also my respect. Despite your loss and recent illness, you seem to be coping by garnering knowledge and being proactive in your health care and maintanance choices. I am happy to help in any way I can, and I have enjoyed our correspondence. (thank you also for the accept and generous bonus!) I'll watch for your sister's question, (I should have some yoga info for you by then) and I hope you'll let me know when you see the Doctor and how you are feeling.

Best wishes to you, Christy

__________________
I hope my information is helpful. If you have more questions, just ask! I will gladly help, otherwise please click "accept".
Positive feedback and any bonus would be appreciated. Thank you, Christy

I'm so glad you have those little girls...and your supportive family.   

My sister's problem is that she frequently gets a headache between ll:30AM - l:30PM.   She says to tell you though that if she is very busy she doesn't feel anything so she thinks it is psychological.   However, I have seen it happen too often to really think that is it.   She faithfully eats a good breakfast and if she gets up late she isn't ready for lunch at noontime and will get headache.   She has been concerned enough to have it checked and the Doctor says she does not have diabetes.   Any thoughts on this?

Mary
MOTNAYR@AOL.COM

Hi Mary, sorry for the delay, I'm swamped! Other than the fasting blood sugar for Diabetes, do you know what other testing her Doctor did, or recommended? Does she take anything to relieve the headache, or does it resolve naturally?   Have her describe the pain, location intensity, worse with activity... one sided or bilateral? throbbing, sharp, dull? light sensitivity, visual disturbance?   Does she take any medication daily, or have any significant health history? How long ago did the headaches start?

__________________
I hope my information is helpful. If you have more questions, just ask! I will gladly help, otherwise please click "accept".
Positive feedback and any bonus would be appreciated. Thank you, Christy

Relist:
My second question was for my sister and it has taken a long time to get the further information you asked for.   The question was about the headache she so often gets around 11:30 even though she eats a good breakfast.   It lasts till l:30 and during that time she can feel extremely uncomfortable with the headache.   You asked about blood tests.   The only one she has had is the one for diabetes which proved negative.   She does not recall anything further the Dr. recommended as to tests. She takes Tyenol but tries not to.   The headache locates around the right eye, but could be the left, but both....anyway, eye area.   Intensity, scale 1 = 10...she says "4".   Does it intensify with activity...she says "No, sometimes keeping very busy makes me forget."   Seems to stay more on one side, but this varies.   Does not throb...pain is dull....sometimes, light sensible.   No visual distortion.   Daily meds: Fosamax Plus D and Viactiv calcium supplement; rhinocort for nasal passages...restasis when neded...drops for dry eyes, usualy she uses these drops one or two times a day. Multivitamin. Doesn't sleep well at night and recently was prescribed ambien but hasn't used it yet.    She had surgery for an ovarian cyst in 1963 and hysterectomy in 1966 and has no serious problems since.    She complains of gas and does have trouble breathing on one side which is the reason for the nasal spray.