Leg cramps?

[nottoc4]

I am newly diagnosed with IC and getting bladder instillations once a week and taking Elmiron by mouth. I am also taking Pyridium but started having leg cramps in the evening and even waking me up at night. I have backed off Pyridium and cramps have gone away.Has anyone else suffered with leg cramps? I think I drink plenty of water and stick pretty close to the IC diet.

I had been treated for 1 1/2 years for Urge incontinence and had repeated UTI's confirmed by urine cultures. I switched Doctors and after a few tests was diagnosed with IC.I NEVER had urine burning with the UTI's but since the Cysto Potassium I have burning most of the time. I am beginning to suspect some of my meds are keeping this going and beginning tomorrow will take myself off them for a few days then reintroduce one at a time to see if one of them is the culprit. I have read here somewhere about vitamins being a culprit for some and I eliminated them a week ago. I suspect Allegra or Naproxen or Calcium with D. Anyone have a problem with these? I also take Vesicare,2 fish oils and have added Prelief with every meal.

When I wake up in the mornings I am fine. I drink my cup of decaf,work out with hand weights and then walk with my hubbie for an hour and15 min. then we have breakfast,cereal and fruit,approved fruit,and within 2 hours the urgency and buring begin. I take my meds with food as prescribed. Elmiron I take on empty stomach before exercising.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Briza]

You might try something different for breakfast. Maybe leave out the fruits for a couple of days and see what happens. If that doesn't work, try something other than cereal. Some do report an intolerance to vitamins and supplements, and if you are eating a fortified cereal, then that might be a problem. Possibly try something very bland for a few days...maybe just eggs and toast w/ a glass of milk.
But probably the very first thing you should try to cut out is the coffee...even if it is decaf.:tsk:
I've never had leg cramps as a side effect to any of the meds I've taken, but I have had them when I'm not getting enough calcium or potassium. When I start getting them it is a big reminder for me to drink milk, take my Calcium Citrate, and eat a banana everyday and if do so then the nighttime leg cramps stop. They are just so painful!!!!
Best wishes:)

[ICNDonna]

One thing I suggest is to talk to your doctor about your leg pain. When my potassium level was low, I had really painful legs and had difficulty sleeping.

What kinds of fruit are you eating? Many fruits are a problem for ICers.

Donna

[prestwood16]

Yep, I'm agreeing with Donna!! I was having awful leg cramps not thinking anything of it!! Got bent double in pain one night and my hubby took me to the ER. They ran blood work and the next thing I know they are starting IV's and giving me a cocktail by mouth. The ER doctor told me my postassium was dangerously Low. They kept me over night and gave me something through the IV. I need to follow up with my doctor, because I'm having muscle spasms again. but, before I went to the ER, even my face muscles would spasm. It was weird!!
Think about it!! People who take fluid pills have to have their potassium check because they lose so much fluid and Most of us are walking fluid pills WITHOUT THE PILL!!:smile tee The first Question that ER Doctor asked me when they got the blood work back! "ARe you sure you don't take fluid pills?" I looked at him and said honestly I go enough on my own, I don't need anymore help!!:bonk::bonk:
Donna gave me some great advice too. To pick up some over the counter/ vitamin section potassium pills to see if they would help!!
I really need to have mine checked again, but I have surgery coming up with my bladder and all the pain and Uro's I Haven't even thought another thing about my potassium till now!!
Let me know how you are doing!!
Julie

[nottoc4]

I did discuss with my Doctor the leg cramps and he said not drinking enough water or just tired. I know I drink enough water ,and the IC diet excludes many foods that have potassium in them. If the bladder reacts to potassium in foods,how can we take potassium pills and not have a reaction?
The fruit I have been eating is canned pears in light syrup and fresh watermelon. I know blueberries are permitted but I don't care for them.The cereals that I eat are All Bran,Cheerios,Frosted Mini Wheats and Oatmeal. I need the fiber as Vesicare and Allegra constipate me and when I'm constipated I have more urges and discomfort.
What kind of bread is best to eat? Again,most breads have soy in them and other additives.(sigh)

[lisabar36]

I also had low potassium once and I had really bad leg cramps. This was a long time ago. As for the fruit, I can't have any fruit at all except now I can have pears, in moderation, like a half a pear and thats it. All the other fruits bother me. :) Lisa

[nottoc4]

I do eat an egg occasionally for breakfast, but have to watch cholesterol as It tends to be on the high side.
I have been stretching my calves before bedtime and wearing 'house socks" to bed and since I'm not taking Pyridium daily the cramps have slacked off.
I had a bladder instillation done this morning and the Doctor says I get one more next week. I think that will total out to 8 altogether. They do help a lot and I wish I could have a few more than that. I am a slow healer.

[jen48446]

You may want to consider a 2nd opinion. I recently started taking K-Dur (potassium) & I noticed a difference in my RLS immediately, it's been a blessing for me:smile tee

I have a post in the Other Related Conditions category that I listed all the things I've tried & how they worked, that may be of help to you as well.:angel::smile tee:cat:

[nottoc4]

Thanks,goes to look.

[Lexie]

It just saw this post -- what a coincidence that last night I woke up in the middle of the night screaming because of a wicked leg cramp in my left calf. My boyfriend woke up and just told me to keep flexing my muscles and he rubbed my leg until it went away. It was so weird! It felt better right away, but in the shower my leg was shaking when I was trying to shave. Hmmmm...

[dverba]

Restless Leg Syndrome also comes with ic...I take requip and it works great for the cramps and the crawling feeling.

[nottoc4]

I do not have restless leg syndrome. I have been doing calf stretches nightly before bedtime and I havn't had leg cramps for several days.(Crosses fingers)