I have had bad muscle soreness & tightning for years, even before my diagnosis. Usually it would go away with 800mlg of ibeprophen. Until recently. The last two weeks I have been experiencing muscle spasms in my calves. Didn't hurt, at all, in fact it was more annoying than anything. I noticed I started moving my feet & legs more in the past few weeks due to it feeling wierd, or strange, or annoying. I believe I eventually fall asleep due to pure exhaustion due to it keeping me awake. Now it has went from a 0 purely annoying to 6 pain, litterally overnight. It has spread from being only in my calves to my calves, into the inside of my feet from my heel to the big ball shaped bone right under my big toe to the joints of my toes, & not to mention my ankles feel like they are going to shatter. I have been suffering with Fibro for 7 years, diagnosed 2 years. Is this type of pain in muscles "normal" for being this far along in your whatever you want to call it? I was told there are different stages of Fibro, like cancer. I was also told muscle spasms are considered to be between stage 2 & stage 3. Is that correct? Also, if you suffer from muscle spasms, what works, what doesn't, tricks of the trade, herbal medications, minerals, food, etc that has helped you maintain slight control on this. I really don't want or need another symptom taking control of me & pushing time for my 3 children more so to the side because Mommys legs are giving her hugs.
I take requip and flexaril sorry caint spell today. Low potassium levels can cause muscle cramps and spams you should call your doctor. Taking a warm bath helps me a lot.
I don't have any medical at the moment or else I would go in, or I'd also be on my meds. Do you know of any home remedies? Otc stuff that helps? I can't eat bananas as I'm alergic to them. Do they have potasium capsules? If so, if I'm alergic to bananas would I have an outbreak after taking the pills? LoL Thank you for your help.
Hi Allie- I don’t know if I can help but I sure can tell you that you are not alone. I was diagnosed with Fibro about 12 years ago but never recall muscle spasms. During the past 2-3 months I have had nonstop muscle spasms and twitching, in my calves, ankles, and feet, much like you describe. I also have a few herniated discs in my lower back that might be contributing, but who knows. Regardless, now I know that I am not alone with these bizarre feelings. I have never heard of stages of Fibro, but now I am going to look into it. We both have had Fibro a long time and both never had these symptoms until now, so maybe it is true. Magnesium s supposed to help, as do baths with Epsom salt.
Hope they go away.
Michael
I too have have discs in back that are bad, 2 to be exact, last mri I had a little over a year ago. One is bulged out & to the left. The other is deflating. I was suppose to have another mri done in March of this year to see if there has been any changes to either discs so the Dr. could refer me to surgery or not. Once he put the referal in for my insurance to approve the 2nd mri, about a week layer I recieved a letter from them in the mail stating I am no longer covered in 20 days of the date of the letter. So no more meds, no more xrays, no more mris, but I would gladly trade the xrays & mris for my lyrica & lorotabs. At least then when I was taking it, I felt half human, half Mom, half wife, half of something. I just don't want to take potasium pills if they exist, I'm scared of an alergic reaction, like when I eat bananas. I'm not sure if it would have the same effect. Did your spasms happen litterally overnight? I just can't believe how some symptoms can become so sudden & yet some of what people on here have, I've never experienced, or haven't yet.
Hi Allie- I had a bad Fibro bout the last 3 months of 2011, but then not much in 2012. But now my worst bout in years over the last 6 months. But this bout has included these muscle twitches and spasms in legs. They did just come out of nowhere. Never had them in 12 years of Fibro. However, I had a lower back MRI in Jan. of 2012 which showed 4 herniated discs. Then an upper MRI 2 months ago showing 4 upper disc hernations. Maybe the back is causing the spasms and twitching? But yes, these symptoms are new and came out of nowhere, but nothing surprises me anymore. Saw the Neurologist 2 days ago and he thinks the back is the culprit for all the pain but not sure about the spasms. But it is a good bet. Try the magnesium pills if you are not allergic. I am having a cortisone shot for the lower back in 3 weeks. Feel better, Michael
I'm just happy as to have met someone who knows what I'm going through. Sometimes when I'm explaining my symptoms to someone or explaing fibro to someone they seem to have this glazed over look in their eyes as if I'm speaking a different language, lol. I will admit, most people I have met that have fibro, similar symptoms that I have also have back issues too. Maybe it has a lot more to do with our backs than we think?! Do your legs burn after your spasms seize? Whatever muscles were spasming burn after they stop? Because I failed to mention that that happens afterwards.
Yes, alllie, I get terrible ones that draw up my entire body! The good cal/mag I take have helped tremendously, I also take Potassium, this all added to a pharmaceutical grade multi vitamin and it really does help me! My Chiropractor helps me with balancing them properly!
Hope this may be something that could also help you!
Hi Allie- For the first time in al these years I am sure that my back is a big contributor to the Fibro and related weird symptoms. My muscles frequently burn, but they can burn with and without the spasms. But yes, they do burn after as well. As I mentioned, the spasms and twitching of my leg muscles are new, and they drive me crazy. Just starting taking Flexeril, a muscle relaxant, yesterday and it seems to be helping already. This was prescribed by the Neurologist to help my back relax, but it seems to be helping the spasms too.
Separately, I certainly know what you mean about people looking at us like we are crazy when we explain our symptoms.
Best, Michael
I have a lot of spasms in my legs and arms almost like I am drawing up...I have pain meds and take soma..when it gets too bad I just have to go lay down in my bed..I keep an electric blanket on 24/7 365...the heat helps relax it some...but a lot of hot showers and baths help also...low levels of potassium , magnesium , vitamin d or even zinc deficiency can also can affect the muscles..so it would be good if you could get labs ran to see...but I read that you have no ins so that puts a major kink there..(I understand that I am In the same boat)...I saw a link that shows some other foods contain potassium so you might see something that might help you get more potassium in your diet http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/food-sources-of-potassium.php if the hot baths are in your favor you might try soaking in some Epsom salts(store brand is fine), my chiropractor swears by them she says most people are deficient in magnesium and the easiest way to get it in your system,Add two cups of Epsom salt and soak in a warm bath for at least 15 to 20 minutes 3 times a week.... good luck with all and hope you are able to find something to help soothe you so you can rest... Angie