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Can calcium supplements exacerbate symptoms?

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 12:44 pm
by 67java89
Maybe I'm grasping at straws here but I've just restarted calcium-D supplements for bone health (female early 50's) and my symptoms have gotten exponentially worse. I've only been taking them for a week. Does anyone know if calcium has been known to worsen symptoms, either from studies published or personal experience?

Re: Can calcium supplements exacerbate symptoms?

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 3:17 pm
by Yankiwi
I don't have parathyroids which regulate the uptake of calcium into the body and therefore take large doses of calcium and vitamin D twice a day. I haven't noticed any increased RLS symptoms since I had my parathyroids removed.

Re: Can calcium supplements exacerbate symptoms?

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 4:20 pm
by 67java89
Okay, good to know. I suppose I could just stop taking it, and see if it makes a difference, but I'm trying to do what is right for my body.

Re: Can calcium supplements exacerbate symptoms?

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 6:34 pm
by ViewsAskew
I haven't heard that, either - but I've also learned two things. 1) we truly can have different triggers, 2) What we think are triggers aren't always triggers. Oh, and 3) Finding the real trigger is sometimes impossible.

Vitamin D may help - anecdotal and some limited research back that up. Calcium (and magnesium) are two minerals often cited by many as the first things to try to help RLS/WED. But, I've always assumed it's because of the misunderstanding between cramps and RLS.

Re: Can calcium supplements exacerbate symptoms?

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 8:15 pm
by 67java89
ViewsAskew wrote:I haven't heard that, either - but I've also learned two things. 1) we truly can have different triggers, 2) What we think are triggers aren't always triggers. Oh, and 3) Finding the real trigger is sometimes impossible.

Vitamin D may help - anecdotal and some limited research back that up. Calcium (and magnesium) are two minerals often cited by many as the first things to try to help RLS/WED. But, I've always assumed it's because of the misunderstanding between cramps and RLS.

Yes, I think you have a good point there. I gave magnesium supplements and epsom salt baths a good 3 months before deciding it really wasn't helping. Lots of people say magnesium helps with leg cramps, and I've had leg cramps....they're definitely not RSLWED. So it could be another trigger or unknown/randomness.