Connect with others who understand.

  • Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  • Real advice from people who’ve been there
  • People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
Powered By
Real members of myRAteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
London, ON

So this started nightly about 6 weeks ago where every night when I go to bed unless I lay perfectly still I will get muscle spasms in my calves or feet where I have to jump out of bed to relieve the muscle tightness. Some nights will happen six or seven times and significantly affecting my sleep. Went to my family doctor who gave me pills to take for restless leg syndrome to help. Well is sort of helping but just can't figure out what is causing this. Got blood work to check iron and calcium… read more

December 7, 2016
 · 
Reactions

Answer Summary

Members connected over the frustrating experience of severe nighttime leg and calf cramps, with many describing pain so intense they had to... Read more

Members connected over the frustrating experience of severe nighttime leg and calf cramps, with many describing pain so intense they had to jump out of bed to stretch, and some experiencing cramps in their feet, calves, and inner thighs that left them sore and afraid to move. Several members found relief through daily magnesium supplements, which took two to three weeks to work, while others benefited from stretching before bed, night splints, heating pads, increased water intake, vitamin D supplementation, or daily walking. A recurring theme was the trial-and-error journey to find what works, with the original poster discovering after a full year that steroids were the culprit, and stopping them ended the spasms completely.

A myRAteam Member

Try magnesium. I'm told that works for that. We don't get enough of that. I had a friend who suffered with That every night. And it work for her.

December 7, 2016
A myRAteam Member

So an answer to my original post and a year of calf and leg spasms have ended, the culprit was steroids! Yes, can no longer take any kind of steroid in the form of cortisone, prednisone, entocort or spasms will happen. As soon as any of these were out of my system, the nightly spasms ended. Good to know, but RA pain is just terrible. Can’t win with this awful disease 🙁

June 3, 2018
A myRAteam Member

I agree I started taking magnesium and hopefully, you're taking daily folic acid. I also added daily fish oil, calcium, and vitamin D.

December 21, 2016
A myRAteam Member

Drink more water during afternoon and evening. Cut the soda and wine. It really helped me after a time.

December 15, 2016
A myRAteam Member

I have this problem also. My podiatrist suggested wearing night splints on both legs. I thought he was crazy, but it has helped significantly. I also take gabapentin. Good luck!

December 9, 2016

Related Questions

View All
A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
Port Elizabeth, ZA

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
Cobble Hill, British Columbia, Canada