Frequent, sometimes severe, muscle cramps

[Watercolorist]

My apologies for asking a question that has been written about in previous posts, but additional insight is needed for me.

In previous posts, I have read muscle cramps may indicate the need for more:
. magnesium
. potassium
. calcium

Until I began following a very restricted diet, with greatly reduced variety in the veggies I consume, I had experienced muscle cramping only infrequently. This was usually corrected by increasing (by trial and error) additional magnesium or potassium.

I am aware of the impact WD has on magnesium loss.
Perhaps the same applies to potassium and calcium also.

I don’t know how to correct whatever imbalance(s) I am experiencing, and whether it is only one imbalance or all three.

I don’t know whether or not it is ok specify brand names in this forum so I will refrain from doing so. I have been and do take a high quality magnesium supplement most days equaling 120 mcg in total.

I have taken a Potassium Chloride Liquid , 40 mEq, when I use to take Furosemide. 20 mg, but only when I was experiencing edema in ankles . I have not taken this routinely or recently.

I don’t know what my calcium level is, but my diet always provided me the calcium I needed through veggies eaten, and cheese. Now, in the early phase of using diet to heal my gut, I eat a far more limited variety of veggies, and no cheese, because I eat no dairy.

Muscle cramps are sometimes in thighs, sometimes in calves or feet, and sometimes in hands. They occur during the day or sometimes in the evening. No consistency.

Please advise re figuring out and eliminating muscle cramps.

Thank you, as always.

[Gabes-Apg]

my suggestion - be patient!

the weeks (or months) of ongoing inflammation will take a while to recover
it takes a minimum of 8 weeks to start to resolve key nutrient deficiencies, for me it took me 6 months to resolve my magnesium deficiency.

a good option is to do epsom salt or magnesium chloride foot soaks, this way the magnesium is absorbed into the leg muscles
or topical magnesium sprays, have it by the loo and each time you go to the loo spray your thighs

For me, muscle cramps/aches have only been inflammation or magnesium deficiency.

[Watercolorist]

Thank you, Gabes.
I will incorporate your advice into my self-care plan.

OK, “Patience…. “. That word and trait is one I am going to be seeing and learning a lot about relating to MC. I have to admit that being a curious observer and striving to learn more about MC, the things I may be able to influence and those that I cannot, has been interesting and has filled more hours than I could have envisioned. All for the good both short and long term.

This website together with the input I have received from you and Tex have been the most helpful information I have received.

I dusted off the two very well researched and written books I purchased and previewed quite a while ago about MC. I now have filled many hours reading those two books and online in this forum searching and reading.

For anyone new to this forum who is not familiar with the books, authored by Wayne Persky, the titles are:

Microscopic Colitis, and
Understanding Microscopic Colitis
.

Thank you!!!

Jeanne

[tex]

I'll add an observation to Gabes' reply — if you're taking adequate vitamin D and magnesium, you will virtually never have a calcium deficiency, because the vitamin D will allow you to absorb all the calcium you need from your food, and the magnesium will help insulin to transport the calcium from the bloodstream to wherever, it's needed, in your muscles and bones. A potassium deficiency can certainly develop for anyone who has severe diarrhea, and especially for those who have a malabsorption problem. But as the symptoms of MC are brought under control, malabsorption problems should disappear, and any potassium deficiency should fade away, also. Bananas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, avocados, green beans, etc. are all good sources of potassium.

Tex

[Gabes-Apg]

Jeanne

you may not realise that the author Wayne Persky is Tex on this forum, who has been replying to your questions

we most definitely know about his books!!

[Watercolorist]

Gabes, thank you,
I sincerely appreciate your comment, and I just as sincerely, and with embarrassment, appreciate that perhaps I should not have referenced the books. It is simply that I feel very fortunate to be learning so much from them, and from the input Tex and you are giving me.
I initially hesitated mentioning the books and then just as hesitantly decided to do so thinking that IF a person new to the site did not see or know about the books it would be helpful. I elected to respectfully refer to Tex as his name appears on the book covers because I thought it would be easier for a new person to find if looking on a site other than this one to purchase a book. I don’t recall where I purchased my books; I have both soft cover and Kindle versions of each book.

Again, thank you, Gabes, and Tex. You both have given me hope and the information and encouragement I need to stay on track and move forward.

Jeanne

[Watercolorist]

Tex,

I appreciate your sharing detailed information about muscle cramps. I tend to “overthink” things sometimes in trying to find resolutions or solutions. You always provide the level of information I need and state it so well.

Jeanne

P.S.Thank you for researching and authoring the two books on microscopic colitis and for organizing and writing them in a manner that is easy for the reader to follow and understand.