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Re the question about leg cramps. Ted had them a few years ago that were so bad he was in agony just about day and night. He had cortizone shots which would help for a little while but after a bit the cramps were back and there is a limit to cortizone shots you want or the doctors want to give. Kept heat on his back. WE begged for pain killers, which we needed for him to get any rest at all. AGain, not too good an idea as a permanent remedy ..... would give him relief for maybe a couple of hours. New York was very strick with prescriptions for pain killers at that time, has eased a bit now. Our daughter lives in Rochester, Minnesota and we took him to Mayo Clinic. He had complete round of doctors, tests, etc. Only good thing of that was they could prescribe pain killers more liberaly than N.Y. doctors. Neurologist said he was under medicated and told him to take more sinemet. He did, but all that accomplished was to start tremors which he had never had. Didn't help the cramps. At the last minute managed to see a doctor specializing in rhemutitus/arthritis. He told us about capsaisim (spelling?), hot pepper ointment. We had been using a version but were not aware we needed to use it several times a day and over a period of time. And, a stronger version was/is now available. He also said to wrap his legs in ace bandage. Well, we did. It took some time, but eventually gave him relief. It could have been a circulation problem. He now wears perscription support hose and it makes a big difference in many areas, but they are hard to put on his size 16 feeet! We still use the capsasim. It does work, helps shoulder and back pains. Sorry to be so long winded, and it may not apply to the situation mentioned but thought it was worth sharing. The pain was terrible. By the way, this came on after a terrible winter where he got very little exercise. We now make sure he gets as much exercise as possible. Virginia Christiansen White Plains, NY [log in to unmask]