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Suggest Treatment For Severe And Painful Calf Cramps
Question: I have severe cramps sometimes in the calf and sometimes in the thigh at night. Very painful. Been trying to drink alot of water and a potassium supplement. It might have helped somewhat but still having the problem. Thank you XXXX..
Brief Answer:
Need to have calcium, vitamin D, B12 and folic acid levels
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all, it is sad to know what you had gone through.
Based on the history you have shared, though it is good to replace water and electrolytes but it is better to have it tested with serum electrolytes, as well as with levels of B12, folic acid, D3 and start replacing these.
Also get other baselines for any reason for the loss or defficiencies and take good balanced diet containing all the nutrients. If needed arterial blood gases may be needed to look for pH and work up of hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Also thyroid and sugar levels can be done to look for metabolic causes.
CPK and LDH should be followed to look for musculopathy and if abnormal, a muscle biopsy and EMG may be considered. Meanwhile analgesics like acetaminophen or ibuprofen alongwith muscle relaxants like orphenidrine or tizanidine cam be used.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
Need to have calcium, vitamin D, B12 and folic acid levels
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all, it is sad to know what you had gone through.
Based on the history you have shared, though it is good to replace water and electrolytes but it is better to have it tested with serum electrolytes, as well as with levels of B12, folic acid, D3 and start replacing these.
Also get other baselines for any reason for the loss or defficiencies and take good balanced diet containing all the nutrients. If needed arterial blood gases may be needed to look for pH and work up of hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Also thyroid and sugar levels can be done to look for metabolic causes.
CPK and LDH should be followed to look for musculopathy and if abnormal, a muscle biopsy and EMG may be considered. Meanwhile analgesics like acetaminophen or ibuprofen alongwith muscle relaxants like orphenidrine or tizanidine cam be used.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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