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Post by jeffn on Jul 10, 2016 13:55:38 GMT -5
A few years back after the AP kicked in and I began to feel better I began to experience leg cramps like I have never experienced before. If I got one in both thighs at the same time, which was common, I could not walk. This occurred mostly in the warmer months. Somewhere I ran across a reference that magnesium might be helpful managing the cramps. I began to take it nightly and have continued ever since. About six weeks ago I was running low on magnesium and somehow managed not to purchase more. Ran out and kept meaning to get more but did not. After a bit I began to get shooting pains in my hands, arms, legs etc. you know the stuff we are all too familiar with. I was not very happy with that occurrence. I have a few of these from time to time but not like the early days of SD. More of a diversion than painful usually. Sort of an "oh that again" a reminder of sorts. These were more frequent and painful than my usual.Then within a couple of days I began to experience some leg cramps, mild ones but cramps none the less. I figured I should get my ass to the store and resupply. I started with my daily dose again and within a few days the shooting pains subsided much to my surprise. The cramps stopped too but I expected that. I won't go off the magnesium again. I had no idea that the magnesium would help control the shooting pain. I could stop taking the mag. and see if the pains return but don't think I want to right now, it feels nice without them. Perhaps if I am feeling experimental after the summer or cramp season I may try. Anyone else have any experienc3e with magnesium in this manner?
Other than that things have been cruising along well. Enjoying the warm summer weather and trying to fit in some fun around work.
Enjoy the summer warmth!
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Post by christel on Jul 13, 2016 18:50:20 GMT -5
Guess you are on to something there, Jeff! It is safe to assume you had similar problems in the early days of your disease? I so not recall anything like this. I had so many issues with Raynaud's that I may have had similar symptoms, but didn't associate with anything and then also didn't remedy with anything special!
Yes, we're in a pretty hot spell now, too. It does feel good, but I don't have to work or be out in it for extended periods of time. Whenever I hear someone complaining about the heat, I remind them of what they'll think 6 months from now!
Christel
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Post by jeffn on Jul 14, 2016 6:39:13 GMT -5
Yes Christel I had shooting pains primarily in my lower arms, legs and feet, along with what I called "nerve pain" in my feet and hands. My hands being the most vexing as they felt like they were in a bucket of broken glass all the time. also had the pain in my feet which made walking painful and shoe choice very important. I took to wearing gloves so I could work, helped a little. The nerve pain is by and large a thing of the past just occasional little jabs in my hands, feet and face. not a big deal just a reminder of sorts I guess. The cramps did not come on until later and while they did hurt it was not nearly as bad as the overall yuck of SD. The magnesium has for the most part controlled the cramps the past few years. The shooting pains of late are also minor in nature and just another reminder but the Magnesium for now at least has stopped them - I don't think I have had any in at least a week. I hear you about the Raynaud's that was one of my first SD pains. My Raynaud's is quite a bit better but still a cold weather issue and even in the summer I have bouts with it occasionally.
How is your leg doing - still continuing to heal I hope.
Enjoy summer!
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Post by christel on Jul 14, 2016 21:19:40 GMT -5
Oh yes, the leg... It's still open and I've got the dr. visits down to about every 3-4 weeks. My wound dr. says we are going to be friends for a very long time... I parked next to his vehicle (or his wife's, he said) the other week--a cool Porsche...! I'm probably funding his wife's toys. Summer is going by way too fast.
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Randy
Junior Member
Racing Gloves on!
Posts: 81
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Post by Randy on Jul 16, 2016 23:13:16 GMT -5
Hi Jeff,
There is no doubt that magnesium is helpful to prevent the cramps. I have known this from my pre-SD competitive athletic days. Additionally, since I continue to do Clindy IV's I certainly correlate cramps to the IV's. The bottom line here is that I'm pretty sure that AP depletes Magnesium in your body and cramps result. So complimenting with Mg is necessary, BUT, I am pretty sure you must take your Mg 4hrs from the Mino. I believe there has been plenty of posts about this on Roadback BB.
Best,
Randy
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Post by jeffn on Jul 18, 2016 6:45:03 GMT -5
Hey Randy - Good to hear from you. Yes I am aware of the 4 hour rule. I take my daily 100 mg of mino around 10 AM. The Mg is taken before bed with my sinvistatin (sp?) and another over the counter supplement. So about 12 hours apart. The magnesium has worked well for cramps, I was just a bit surprised about the relief of shooting pains and granted that may be coincidental.
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Post by jeffn on Jul 18, 2016 18:39:16 GMT -5
Christel I guess the question is since you are a "part owner" of the Porsche can you get it for an afternoon to take hubby for a cruise?
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Post by christel on Jul 19, 2016 19:07:22 GMT -5
Good question about the Porsche, Jeff, I hadn't thought of that!
I've also been on a maintenance dose of doxycycline (for my leg ulcer). I have a lot of problems keeping it enough hours apart from my vitamins, calcium-containing food and drink. Trying to give it the maximum opportunity to work by using it appropriately.
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Post by jeffn on Jul 20, 2016 19:19:30 GMT -5
That can be challenging huh. I take the OTC additives when I get up before breakfast. Take my mino between 9:30 and 10 AM. Probiotics and Prilosec at lunch then my Mg. and simvastatin at bed time. When I was taking two does of mino a day I would take the second dose at bedtime. I was not on Mg. at that point. With work I am out of the house from 7:30 AM or so until 4 to 5 PM so I do avoid the snaking temptation which probably helps me. So far so good.
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Post by jeffn on Jul 25, 2016 16:15:12 GMT -5
Christel, Are you allowed to take any blood thinners? Often with AP for scleroderma it is suggested to take a low dose aspirin with your antibiotic. With your leg I have no idea if it is a good idea or not, the feeling is that the aspirin helps the antibiotic get into all the nooks and crannies - fingers knees etc. Not sure if this is true but my doc wanted me on a daily 81 mg anyway so I take it with my mino does each morning. You might run it by your doc... or not. I just was thinking about this today and thought I would pass it on.
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Post by christel on Jul 25, 2016 19:30:22 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip, Jeff. I do take a low dose aspirin each evening. I've been using it since my gangrenous finger over 10 years ago when we tried to thin my blood a little to make it easier to reach those areas that needed circulation/healing. I admit I don't regularly get both doses of doxycycline in due to not wanting to mix with meds that aren't compatible. I really need to organize that mess a little better!!
Thanks again, and feel free to keep sending those ideas!
C.
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Post by jeffn on Jul 26, 2016 6:48:50 GMT -5
I think that pretty much any suggestions I have you already know about
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Post by christel on Jul 26, 2016 18:45:03 GMT -5
Au contraire, my friend! You bring up and ask many thought-provoking questions! It's always good to revisit things I may have forgotten about over the years. Keep 'em coming!
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