Patricia,
Leg cramps, particularly in the calves, is common in PD. The probable
cause is failure of a muscle to relax pulling in one direction when you are
trying to move in the other. The timing is somewhat unusual. Leg cramps
for most with PD comes in the early morning.
I find that holding my leg fully extended [NO bend in the knees] and
relaxing helps. Another solution is a gin & tonic, but hold the gin.. Tonic
water contains quinine which has been a specific for leg cramps for well
over a hundred years.
Will Johnnston
A.P.D.A. DelMarVA Chapter Pres.
4049 Oakland School Road
Salisbury MD 21804 USA 410-543-0110
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From: Patricia Hewitt <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Does anyone have any advice?
Date: Sunday, August 23, 1998 10:07 AM
Months before I was diagnosed with Parkinsons, I started having bad
leg cramps (mostly in calfs). These cramps increase when I walk and
decrease when I lay down. I first thought I might have a blockage
because my cholesterol was 280. The MRI showed I have two herniated
discs, L4 and L5, plus scoliosis with degenerative changes. Now the
cramps are back. When I walk, my right leg swells. When I lay down,
it goes down again. This is very painfull. I take Sinemet 50/200 four
times a day and Prozac. When I first started having the cramps, I had
not yet been diagnosed with PD and was not taking Sinemet. The
neurosurgeon says surgery, a chiropracter says adjustments,
my neurologist says PD. Does anyone have any advice? Any input would
be appreciated.
Thanking you in advance,
Patricia Hewitt
