Leg cramping in early morning and tingling in hands and feet

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SleepyCharlie
Posts: 17
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2011 7:19 pm

Leg cramping in early morning and tingling in hands and feet

Post by SleepyCharlie »

I have some odd symptoms developing over the past year or so. I wake up in the night, and especially early morning, with cramping beginning in feet, involving legs and even hands. After I've been up awhile the cramping lessens, but I'm left with tinginling in hands and feet for most of the day. I have been taking Pramipexole since 2000. Started with 0.125 mg each night, increased to 7mg daily, decreased to .25 mg with 15 mg hydrocodone daily at 8 pm for the past 5 years. RLS is basically under control, but I worry I may have some nerve damage causing this cramping. Sometimes it is so severe I have to jump out of bed to relieve the "charlie horses" in my feet and legs. I've been medicated for RLS since 1995. I hesitate to change the medication because my RLS is severe and is currently under control. Mirape was new on the market in 2000 when I started taking it. I have not seen any literature about what might dangers there may be in long-term use. Any ideas before I go back to my neurologist?

stjohnh
Posts: 1284
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2016 3:13 pm
Location: Palo Alto, California

Re: Leg cramping in early morning and tingling in hands and feet

Post by stjohnh »

Lots of causes of this, but not likely nerve damage, RLS, or the medications you list. Lipitor and other cholesterol meds commonly cause this, as do kidney problems, some other meds and various hormone and electrolyte problems. Just tell your doctor what you feel. Some vitamin deficiencies can cause some of these symptoms.
Blessings,
Holland

debbluebird
Posts: 2386
Joined: Mon May 21, 2012 3:27 pm

Re: Leg cramping in early morning and tingling in hands and feet

Post by debbluebird »

Also, not drinking enough water can cause leg cramps. It happens to me if I don't drink enough. I have to jump out of bed. They are awful, having nothing to do with my RLS.

ViewsAskew
Moderator
Posts: 16571
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 6:37 am
Location: Los Angeles

Re: Leg cramping in early morning and tingling in hands and feet

Post by ViewsAskew »

Every night with these must get VERY annoying! They are so painful.

I've not heard of this as a side effect of the medications, either. Pain in the legs is a known side effect and one that you should see the doctor about. These sound much like a traditional charlie horse. I do wonder about the tingling. Is it common to have tingling afterward? I'd think seeing a doctor would be a good next step.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

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