Several strategies help with cramps. Leg cramps are the most frequent, but some people report cramping of the hands and other body areas.
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[edit] Prescription Medications
Chlordiazepoxide, 10 mg taken at bedtime, was reported in one case study to relieve cramps in a patient who had obtained no relief from calcium plus magnesium. (Medeiros and Lipton, 2006: European Journal of Haematology 77: page 538). The authors say "Chlordiazepoxide possesses sedative, anxiolytic, and muscle relaxant properties. It does not interfere with CYP3A4 enzyme activity..."
[edit] Calcium and Magnesium
I was told by both Duke and UNC-(Dr Stinchcombe) that the problem was a calcium depletion so when I get the first HINT of cramping begining- used to be in the legs now I can get a cramp ANYWHERE ... don't ask... I take three tums or other chewable antacid and within fifteen minuted the cramping passes or does not get fully developed. The cheaper the brand of antacid the faster they work becasue they break apart faster ... this really works.
I am not exactly sure what Gleevec is doing to cause muscle cramps. I read that Gleevec might "stick" to a particular calcium channel protein in a membrane...and thus "gums it up." The swelling and low potassium levels in general indicate that Gleevec is disrupting normal ion balances.
Try the Calcium supplements with vitamin D. A study showed that Gleevec causes excess loss of vitamin D in the urine.
If serum calcium, magnesium, and potassium levels are in the normal range, the culprit might be a relative calcium deficiency of free calcium. (Calcium is both free and also protein-bound in plasma.)
Try taking calcium citrate with water each evening (Citracal-D, Cosco). Using a calcium supplement without vitamin D3 works just as well.
The calcium in oyster shells is still calcium, of course, and once ionized and absorbed should have the same effect. The difference is that oyster shells are comprised of calcium carbonate rather than citrate and so is a bit less soluble - and less so if you are decreasing gastric acid with an H2 blocker such as Prilosec. So, try a calcium CITRATE supplement rather than a calcium CARBONATE one.
Calcium and magnesium supplements help with muscle cramps (look for ones that also contain vitamin D). Here is great link detailing the synergistic balance required between calcium and magnesium: [1] Many dietary factors reduce calcium uptake, such as foods high in oxalic acid (spinach, rhubarb, chocolate) which can interfere with calcium absorption by forming insoluble salts in the gut. Phytic acid, or phytates found in whole grain products, foods rich in fiber, excess caffeine from coffee, colas, tea, as well as certain medications may all reduce the absorption of calcium and other minerals, or leach calcium from bone."
Either supplementing calcium, magnesium and potassium or possibly reducing some of these foods and drinks mentioned above temporarily to see if it lessened muscle cramps.
Drinking Gatorade in the evening or when a cramp is coming on, just in case electrolytes are low.
If you don't like the taste of Gatorade you can buy Smart Water instead. It contains the same Electrolytes without the flavoring and just tastes like water. I drink it while I play tennis and prefer it to Gatorade.
I've had leg and foot cramping as well since going to 800 mg. Gleevec. They've disappeared over the past week. I credit one of two things. -- 800 mg. has increase acid reflux and I eat several Tums or Tums Ultra during the day and at night. Perhaps the calcium is reducing cramps. -- I thought heat might keep the muscles loose, so I wear my socks to bed and put my sweatshirt atop the foot of my bed for extra covers. Tooties are overly warm, but no cramps.
[edit] Exercise
Exercising muscles several times a week helps to eliminate cramps. Even little stretching helps. If I do not do it for a few weeks my nightly leg cramps return.
A hatha yoga routine, which is gentle stretching, can be done before bedtime or at anytime to help relax muscles and mind. This website does a wonderful job of animating simple asanas called stress postures: http://www.hathayogalesson.com/ No special training or equipment is needed to start... and drink lots of water.
[edit] Soap Under the Sheets
Leg cramps resulting from Gleevec? Try soap under your sheets, it really helps!
[edit] BenGay sports cream
Using BenGay at night before bed helps prevent muscle/leg cramps.
[edit] Avoid Pectin and Raspberries
This was discovered after a determined period of trial and error efforts to find solutions to alleviate those blasted cramps. Keeping well hydrated and getting some form of regular exercise helped somewhat but it wasn't until i cut out pectin that the cramps really resided. Cutting out raspberries was the other key. I haven't had any cramps since.
Pectin is found in jam, jelly, preserves, some fruit flavored yogurt, etc.
[edit] Tonic water w/lemon or lime
I was at my oncologist yesterday and she advised to take tonic water with a squirt of lemon/lime for muscle cramps.....
[edit] Mustard
Some have had success with eating mustard or applying to leg in area of cramp. Mustard contains selenium and magnesium which, when deficient, cause muscular cramps.
[edit] V8 and pickle juice
I remember reading a post about the V8 juice. It has a lot of Potassium and that's supposed to help the leg cramps. Drink some pickle juice from a jar of dill pickles. It sounds silly and I'm not sure why it works.
[edit] Marijuana
I have found marijuana particularly helpful for night time leg cramps. These were extremely severe and horribly painful until I started prescription quinine, which helped a lot. But the FDA pulled it. The ivory soap in the sheets helped, but not enough. Now I routinely ingest a baked marijuana cookie or muffin, which I bake myself with marijuana I buy legally, in the evening, and I generally sleep well through the night with only minimal, not terribly painful, leg cramps.
[edit] Alka Seltzer
A friend from the LMS list, Alison, has discovered that Alka Seltzer helps her leg cramps. Not sure why, but give it a try.
[edit] Guaiphenesin
Believe it or not the best remedy I have found for cramps in the hands and feet is guaiphenesin. It is sold as Mucinex which is a little expensive but it also comes in generic form. Safeway Inc. Sells one that is just called Mucous Relief.
There is a pharmacy locally which compounds it own medications at times. It makes what is called Guaifenesin SpeedGel. When a cramp strikes you rub it on and the cramp vanishes. Personally I use the oral form (pill) which keeps me from even having any cramps.