Leg Cramps
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grannykathy
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2018 12:21 pm
Leg Cramps
These cramps are about to do me in - especially because they come at night. I can't seem to get through a night without them. I assume its caused by dehydration although I really am drinking a lot of water and my diarrhea isn't as bad as it was in the past. I wonder if it might be a side-effect of the Budesonide. What can I do other than continue to drink. I was drinking some Gatorade but since I'm on the elimination diet I can't have that now. Any ideas?
Hi Kathy,
Dehydration is a common problem, but that's not exactly the reason why we have leg cramps. That's a symptom of a chronic magnesium deficiency. It's very common with MC and most of us had the problem initially. Not only is 80 % of the general population magnesium deficient, but MC depletes magnesium to accelerate the problem. Most people's diets are magnesium deficient these days. Buidesonide also depletes magnesium.
The problem can be resolved of course by taking a good magnesium supplement to rebuild your body's magnesium reserves. Many types of magnesium supplements can cause diarrhea. The most effective safe type appears to be Chelated magnesium (magnesium glycinate). Most of us take Doctor's Best Magnesium Glycinate.
Tex
Dehydration is a common problem, but that's not exactly the reason why we have leg cramps. That's a symptom of a chronic magnesium deficiency. It's very common with MC and most of us had the problem initially. Not only is 80 % of the general population magnesium deficient, but MC depletes magnesium to accelerate the problem. Most people's diets are magnesium deficient these days. Buidesonide also depletes magnesium.
The problem can be resolved of course by taking a good magnesium supplement to rebuild your body's magnesium reserves. Many types of magnesium supplements can cause diarrhea. The most effective safe type appears to be Chelated magnesium (magnesium glycinate). Most of us take Doctor's Best Magnesium Glycinate.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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grannykathy
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2018 12:21 pm
Thank you Tex. I am actually taking the Drs Best and also just received an order yesterday for the oil spray. Just a few minutes ago I did a search on this site for leg cramps and ending up finding the post about Dr. Carolyn Deans site. Was doing some reading there when I just got your message. One thing I read that concerns me a little is something about people with kidney failure should not take magnesium. My GI Dr. ordered blood work a few weeks ago. It showed my GFR # at 38 which my understandin is my kidney function is at 38%. And for my age it should be at 60%. I was referred to a kidney Dr whom I will see this Thursday. In looking back at previous records, my kidney function numbers were about the same a year ago. However, they have come down steadily over the last few years. And yet nobody (dr's) have even mentioned it to me until now. Anyway, wondering now if magnesium is safe for me to take. And yet I feel like I need it - so what to do. Guess I can ask the kidney Dr. Thursday what she thinks.
Hi Kathy,
I have the same problem. My kidney function became compromised when I had a period of severe magnesium deficiency due to magnesium depletion by a repeated antibiotic treatment, combined with an allergic reaction against the antibiotic. My eGFR at the time was the same as yours, so I cut my magnesium dose to 300 mg per day, with my doctors approval. My eGFR (the last time it was checked) is right on 60.
It's a balancing act. It's not quite enough magnesium to totally prevent leg cramps, but it's close enough for all practical purposes. Any excess magnesium in the bloodstream has to be removed by the kidneys, so I don't want to overwork them. I require slightly more supplemental magnesium than most people because a high percentage of magnesium is absorbed in the colon, and I had to have an emergency colectomy 8 years ago due to an inherited bleeding issue.
Tex
I have the same problem. My kidney function became compromised when I had a period of severe magnesium deficiency due to magnesium depletion by a repeated antibiotic treatment, combined with an allergic reaction against the antibiotic. My eGFR at the time was the same as yours, so I cut my magnesium dose to 300 mg per day, with my doctors approval. My eGFR (the last time it was checked) is right on 60.
It's a balancing act. It's not quite enough magnesium to totally prevent leg cramps, but it's close enough for all practical purposes. Any excess magnesium in the bloodstream has to be removed by the kidneys, so I don't want to overwork them. I require slightly more supplemental magnesium than most people because a high percentage of magnesium is absorbed in the colon, and I had to have an emergency colectomy 8 years ago due to an inherited bleeding issue.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.