Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Muscle spasms

JillyT
JillyT
Hi All,

I suffer from muscle spasms all over my body. Calfs, thighs, buttocks, back, feet, toes... I never know when one or bunches will hit me. Yesterday my right thigh and toes on my right foot spasmed continuously all day long. Now my muscle in my right thigh is very sore. Do any of you have this problem? I would love to know what causes them, but even better I would like to know if there is anything I can do to prevent them. Any ideas?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I think maybe Ive heard that it is from a potassium deficiency. So maybe try some bananas!
JillyT
JillyT
Oh too bad, I'm allergic to bananas, lol!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I've had a muscle spasms in my back- although thankfully not frequently. Last year, I had one come on suddenly, and I clenched my teeth so hard I broke a filling. Drugs don't touch them, except lidocaine patch. Chiropractic makes it worse, but massage helps (eventually, after the feeling that you've been beaten half to death subsides). I've also found that sustained pressure directly into the spasm can help, and I have actually used a wooden bath brush wedged between my back and a chair to accomplish this. Mine are stress related, but I've also heard that they can be related to potassium deficiency. Some drug affect potassium excretion, so you might want to check with your doctor or pharmacist.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I take a potassium tablet every day & it works wonders. Before I started it I had horrible leg & toe cramps. Might want to try it.
Deb
deleted_user
deleted_user
O.K. I did a little research, take it or leave it. First, potassium and dehydration could be likely causes. Try intaking more of those. Good sources for potassium are all kinds of things! Highest on the list are white beans, beat greens, lima beans and potatoes. For a complete list, I found a good site. http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/food/potassium-foods.htm

What I also found was contradictory information. Some sites said RA causes spasms, while others claimed RA didn't cause it, but Fibromialgia did. Since you have both, it's one of the two...lol. I also found "Deficiencies of calcium and magnesium can also cause spasms or twitching." If all else fails, I read that antibiotics help with spasms. Good luck and I hope you find a cure!!
JillyT
JillyT
Thanks everyone for your input! Sarah, I've actually been on antibiotics for the last two weeks for a respiratory infection and still managed to have spasms,lol! hugs to all Jilly
deleted_user
deleted_user
Jilly, I have muscle spasms too. I really think they are RA related, even though my RD won't say they are. Maybe our meds deplete some specific minerals. I have been taking a magnesium/zinc supplement and it helps A LOT!!! I tried potassium, quinine, and a few other things before I found what worked for me. I think you should give magnesium a go.
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