Feet Vibrations and Leg Calves Involuntary Muscle Movements

[birdlover3]

Hi All,
I have an odd question.

For several years now, I have had involuntary muscle movements in the calves of my legs all the time. You can actually SEE the muscles contracting and relaxing pretty much 24/7. Also I've noticed that the bottoms of my feet feel like vibrating cell phones (I've read this on other sites that others have this feet issue) but haven't read any real answers.

This made me wonder if anyone else with MC has these symptoms and if it's related somehow.

My Primary Doc sent me to a Neuro who ran tests, I had several MRI's (he suspected MS) and nothing conclusive. He just kind of threw up his hands saying that he doesn't think it's neurological (???)

Would love to hear from you..... Thanks.

[tex]

Hi Barb,

Yes, I've had those symptoms, back when I was still recovering. When you had all those tests, did your doctor test for vitamins B-12 and folic acid, and potassium, and calcium? If they were all OK, then you probably have a magnesium deficiency. It doesn't do doctors much good to test for magnesium, because they always use a blood test, and that test is worthless, because the body will keep blood levels of magnesium normal until there is no more magnesium left anywhere in the cells of the body. Therefore the blood test will always be normal, (for it to test low, your magnesium level in your tissues would have to be so low that you would be in a life-threatening situation).

The correct test for magnesium is a tissue test, to check for magnesium in certain cells of the body. Apparently about 99% of doctors aren't aware of that situation.

Unless your vitamin B-12 and folic acid results were in the upper part of the normal range, adding a B-12 and folic acid supplement (or increasing your dosage if you're already taking them), along with some vitamin D, might help.

Tex

[CathyMe.]

Hi All,
I have an odd question.

For several years now, I have had involuntary muscle movements in the calves of my legs all the time. You can actually SEE the muscles contracting and relaxing pretty much 24/7. Also I've noticed that the bottoms of my feet feel like vibrating cell phones (I've read this on other sites that others have this feet issue) but haven't read any real answers.

This made me wonder if anyone else with MC has these symptoms and if it's related somehow.

My Primary Doc sent me to a Neuro who ran tests, I had several MRI's (he suspected MS) and nothing conclusive. He just kind of threw up his hands saying that he doesn't think it's neurological (???)

Would love to hear from you..... Thanks.

While I did not have the movements in my calves, I had some major cramping in my feet for quite some time, and not just at night time. In my case, it was definitely the result of a deficiency. I have added pink himilayan salt to my diet and since I did that, no more cramps.

[birdlover3]

Hi Barb,

Yes, I've had those symptoms, back when I was still recovering. When you had all those tests, did your doctor test for vitamins B-12 and folic acid, and potassium, and calcium? If they were all OK, then you probably have a magnesium deficiency. It doesn't do doctors much good to test for magnesium, because they always use a blood test, and that test is worthless, because the body will keep blood levels of magnesium normal until there is no more magnesium left anywhere in the cells of the body. Therefore the blood test will always be normal, (for it to test low, your magnesium level in your tissues would have to be so low that you would be in a life-threatening situation).

The correct test for magnesium is a tissue test, to check for magnesium in certain cells of the body. Apparently about 99% of doctors aren't aware of that situation.

Unless your vitamin B-12 and folic acid results were in the upper part of the normal range, adding a B-12 and folic acid supplement (or increasing your dosage if you're already taking them), along with some vitamin D, might help.

Tex

I'll have to check back at the tests that I had taken. I know when this all first began I had alot of blood tests. Not sure what they all were now. i did hear some discussions concerning magnesium. For awhile I was taking calcium w/magnesium but then I read that it ccan cause "D" so I stopped. Is there a particular form of magnesium that I should get? When I was taking it, it didn't seem to stop any of my symptoms of the leg/feet issues. I do take a multivitamin each day and I did notice that the leg CRAMPS stopped but again, not the constant muscle movements.

[birdlover3]

Hi All,
I have an odd question.

For several years now, I have had involuntary muscle movements in the calves of my legs all the time. You can actually SEE the muscles contracting and relaxing pretty much 24/7. Also I've noticed that the bottoms of my feet feel like vibrating cell phones (I've read this on other sites that others have this feet issue) but haven't read any real answers.

This made me wonder if anyone else with MC has these symptoms and if it's related somehow.

My Primary Doc sent me to a Neuro who ran tests, I had several MRI's (he suspected MS) and nothing conclusive. He just kind of threw up his hands saying that he doesn't think it's neurological (???)

Would love to hear from you..... Thanks.

While I did not have the movements in my calves, I had some major cramping in my feet for quite some time, and not just at night time. In my case, it was definitely the result of a deficiency. I have added pink himilayan salt to my diet and since I did that, no more cramps.

Hmmmm....Pink himilayan salt? Do you just add it to food? Since I started my multivitamin my cramps in the feet and legs stopped, but still have the calf muscles going and vibrations. Who know what will all clear up once I find out what is going on huh??? :)

[tex]

The description of your symptoms sure sounds as though it might be related to restless leg syndrome, and magnesium deficiency appears to be the leading cause of restless leg syndrome.

To avoid laxative effects from magnesium, it's best to take a supplement that contains no more than 300 mg of magnesium, unless you feel that you're getting virtually none from your food. If there's virtually no magnesium in your diet, then you might try 400 mg. It's commonly available in tablets that contain 240 mg, 400 mg, and up. I don't normally worry about the form of magnesium. I buy cheap tablets that are free of gluten, dairy , soy, etc.

Various types of salt have differing amounts of magnesium, but they often contain numerous trace minerals that can be helpful when you're not sure which one is deficient. Here's a discussion about that topic:

http://paleohacks.com/questions/6011/wh ... ea-salt-vs

Tex

[birdlover3]

The description of your symptoms sure sounds as though it might be related to restless leg syndrome, and magnesium deficiency appears to be the leading cause of restless leg syndrome.

To avoid laxative effects from magnesium, it's best to take a supplement that contains no more than 300 mg of magnesium, unless you feel that you're getting virtually none from your food. If there's virtually no magnesium in your diet, then you might try 400 mg. It's commonly available in tablets that contain 240 mg, 400 mg, and up. I don't normally worry about the form of magnesium. I buy cheap tablets that are free of gluten, dairy , soy, etc.

Various types of salt have differing amounts of magnesium, but they often contain numerous trace minerals that can be helpful when you're not sure which one is deficient. Here's a discussion about that topic:

http://paleohacks.com/questions/6011/wh ... ea-salt-vs

Tex

My family doctor does say I have RLS, but I thought it was somewhat different but maybe it is. I was taking magnesium with my calcium supplement but stopped when I read on the forum that magnesium can cause "D". It wasn't making a difference then when I was taking it. But maybe it wasn't enough. I was afraid to add anything at this point. Maybe I need to wait til after I get my Lab report back and get off the Budesonide??? Or do you recommend I go ahead and try magnesium at 300 mg and see? Thanks, Barb

[JFR]

I take magnesium glycinate because it doesn't cause D. Of course it is more expensive than other forms of magnesium. I get mine from Kirkman labs:

http://kirkmanlabs.com/ProductKirkman/1 ... llergenic/

It helps with muscle cramping but I have not had RLS so I can't speak to that.

Jean

[tex]

Or do you recommend I go ahead and try magnesium at 300 mg and see?

I've never had a problem with the 240 mg tablets. If you're concerned about D, the magnesium glycinate that Jean suggested would allow you to take a higher dosage if you want, without having to worry about triggering D.

Tex

[birdlover3]

I take magnesium glycinate because it doesn't cause D. Of course it is more expensive than other forms of magnesium. I get mine from Kirkman labs:

http://kirkmanlabs.com/ProductKirkman/1 ... llergenic/

It helps with muscle cramping but I have not had RLS so I can't speak to that.

Jean

Thanks Jean, I see it's $15. How many do you take a day? Is the dosage the same as Tex mentions?

[JFR]

I take 150 mg of elemental magnesium, that's 3 Kirkman capsules. It's a low dose but I get a fair amount of magnesium in my diet. I used to take 300 mgs. Pure Encapsulation also makes magnesium glycinate. You can get it here:

http://www.professionalsupplementcenter ... cinate.htm?

Jean