Having leg spasms along with lower back pain. Bent over and threw my back out a few days ago, but I have never had leg spasms like this before, where I can't get comfortable.
I was wondering do spasms go along with lupus or maybe it's my Fibro acting up. Since I am still learning about both of these diseases, not sure which this pertains to. Also, is there anything I can do to make them go away ??
Thanks for any input.
Spasms hurt like the dickens and i get them in my neck. i was told that they come with any type of arthritic condition...as well all the other causes like vitamin deficient and stuff...i'm sure ann has info on that that shed be happy to share...
I have a script for muscle relaxer when it happens to me and i also make sure I have enough calcium and magnessium in me..
i'm sorry you are in so much pain; did you go to the doc?
Hi Bethany Wright, i am so sorry to hear you have hurt your back, back pain can be one of the worst pains there is sometimes. I once hurt my back when i was younger and i couldnt walk properly and had to get down my stairs to bed, as my bedroom was downstairs instead of up (i had this strange flat where bedrooms were downstairs). Anyway i had to literally almost crawl down the stairs in a very careful manner as otherwise i would get these awful spasms of pain raging through me. So in answer to your question back pain especially lower back pain can cause spasms, as its is the very core to our movement in that area along with the neck area. I am not surprised thata you cant get comfortable. I am assuming you have been to see a doctor, as they can get you help with a physio and even just have some heat treatment for the pain. The first time i had the heat treatment i actually felt worse, but after six weeks of it i felt a fair bit better, as they cant do anything with you until they have lowered the inflammation caused by what you have done to you back. So the way to go first is to dampen down the inflammation, then some gentle physio can happen. I have Fibromyalgia too, its difficult sometimes to know whats what when everywhere is in pain, but normally is muscle pain with fibro and pressure areas, where as the Lupus does tend to be more joint pain than muscle, but like you say it is hard to tell. I have just been given a new medication to take for the fibromyalgia, it is primarily an antidepressant, but also works as a pain killer for people with fibromyalgia, i havent tried it yet, as i am just getting the idea of taking it into my own mind as i am worried about the fact it can be abit sedating so they said, but no more than any other med i suppose, but i am just concerned about being more sleepy, as i am tired enough. I will have to bite the bullet and give it a go soon i think, hehe. I am on so many different medications already, i really didnt want to add any more. I am on 24 different meds for all the complications i have with the Lupus, so i am abit fed up with keep adding more and more really. Its hard for us to keep strong sometimes isnt it? Anyway i really hope that you back starts to improve, have you tried raising your legs, or would that be too painful, or maybe a pillow between the knees to take some of the weight of your legs off your back, just a couple of ideas. Its what works for you really. Laying flat is usually best for bad backs. Anyway take care, bye for now, love and hugs Astrid40xoxox
Bethany, sorry to hear you’re having spasms. May I ask, are they muscle spasms (as opposed to a pinched nerve)? Is it always in the same muscle? Which muscles are having the spasms? If its your leg, is it any muscle in particular, like the calf? Are you on any medications? I’m not a medical professional AT ALL. But from my understanding muscle spasms can be caused by some mineral/vitamin deficiencies. Some medications used to treat rheumatic diseases can deplete certain important vitamin and mineral levels causing the muscles to contract. The most common culprits are calcium and potassium. Are you drinking enough water? Hydration can often be a simple solution to muscle cramps. But, if the simple things are ruled out, there are things you can do to minimize your discomfort. Warm, moist heat when you get the cramp and yoga or light stretching at least once a day to help prevent them. Those are the things that work for me. Good luck to you.
Hi Bethany,
Magnesium helps my spasms a lot. Really bad ones like back spasms that spread to the leg may need something stronger. There are natural formulas if you don't like prescriptions, or if you don't mind prescriptions, there are those too. My husband started taking Midol/Pamprin for his back spasms, it helped a ton! They are over the counter and have a mild muscle relaxat in them. It's your fibro or maybe spasms from a back injury. I have fibro too.
Best wishes, Sheila
Astrid40,
I am going Friday to get my back worked on. My husband will be able to drive me, as I am uncomfortable about driving due to the fact that my leg stiffness up when the pain hits. I have a TENS unit to use on my back, but you are correct the heat therapy will work best. I have always had a bad back, and it's very easy for me to throw it out. Hope this finds you doing well.
hugs... Bethany
astrid40 said:
Hi Bethany Wright, i am so sorry to hear you have hurt your back, back pain can be one of the worst pains there is sometimes. I once hurt my back when i was younger and i couldnt walk properly and had to get down my stairs to bed, as my bedroom was downstairs instead of up (i had this strange flat where bedrooms were downstairs). Anyway i had to literally almost crawl down the stairs in a very careful manner as otherwise i would get these awful spasms of pain raging through me. So in answer to your question back pain especially lower back pain can cause spasms, as its is the very core to our movement in that area along with the neck area. I am not surprised thata you cant get comfortable. I am assuming you have been to see a doctor, as they can get you help with a physio and even just have some heat treatment for the pain. The first time i had the heat treatment i actually felt worse, but after six weeks of it i felt a fair bit better, as they cant do anything with you until they have lowered the inflammation caused by what you have done to you back. So the way to go first is to dampen down the inflammation, then some gentle physio can happen. I have Fibromyalgia too, its difficult sometimes to know whats what when everywhere is in pain, but normally is muscle pain with fibro and pressure areas, where as the Lupus does tend to be more joint pain than muscle, but like you say it is hard to tell. I have just been given a new medication to take for the fibromyalgia, it is primarily an antidepressant, but also works as a pain killer for people with fibromyalgia, i havent tried it yet, as i am just getting the idea of taking it into my own mind as i am worried about the fact it can be abit sedating so they said, but no more than any other med i suppose, but i am just concerned about being more sleepy, as i am tired enough. I will have to bite the bullet and give it a go soon i think, hehe. I am on so many different medications already, i really didnt want to add any more. I am on 24 different meds for all the complications i have with the Lupus, so i am abit fed up with keep adding more and more really. Its hard for us to keep strong sometimes isnt it? Anyway i really hope that you back starts to improve, have you tried raising your legs, or would that be too painful, or maybe a pillow between the knees to take some of the weight of your legs off your back, just a couple of ideas. Its what works for you really. Laying flat is usually best for bad backs. Anyway take care, bye for now, love and hugs Astrid40xoxox
Shelia
Thank you for your feedback.. I have a muscle relaxer that I do take and also a pain pill. I don't like taking them unless I really have to because they make me even more sleepy (if that is even possible).
Sheila W. said:
Hi Bethany,
Magnesium helps my spasms a lot. Really bad ones like back spasms that spread to the leg may need something stronger. There are natural formulas if you don't like prescriptions, or if you don't mind prescriptions, there are those too. My husband started taking Midol/Pamprin for his back spasms, it helped a ton! They are over the counter and have a mild muscle relaxat in them. It's your fibro or maybe spasms from a back injury. I have fibro too.
Best wishes, Sheila
Thank you .. I do take magnesium along with my Calcium. I take the vitamins the doctors tell me too. I don't know if it is a pinched nerve or a pulled muscle. All I know is that I can't stand to touch the lower back area in the middle. When I walk any distance the pain goes down my right leg and I have to stop and sit down to get the pain to go away. I take about 10 different meds a day (only what the doctors tell me to take and every doctor has a complete list of my meds as I give them a new copy every visit). The more I think about it, I am leaning towards fibro with the tender to touch and other things. I drink plenty all day, however I don't get to sit back and relax throughout the day, as I also take care of my father. I know rest is the best medicine but right now that is not easy to do.
worshipgirl said:
Bethany, sorry to hear you're having spasms. May I ask, are they muscle spasms (as opposed to a pinched nerve)? Is it always in the same muscle? Which muscles are having the spasms? If its your leg, is it any muscle in particular, like the calf? Are you on any medications? I'm not a medical professional AT ALL. But from my understanding muscle spasms can be caused by some mineral/vitamin deficiencies. Some medications used to treat rheumatic diseases can deplete certain important vitamin and mineral levels causing the muscles to contract. The most common culprits are calcium and potassium. Are you drinking enough water? Hydration can often be a simple solution to muscle cramps. But, if the simple things are ruled out, there are things you can do to minimize your discomfort. Warm, moist heat when you get the cramp and yoga or light stretching at least once a day to help prevent them. Those are the things that work for me. Good luck to you.
Janice,
I am going to get my back worked on Friday. As that is the day I have a driver. I don't like to drive when I am in pain, because I never know how my body is going to react. I take a mild muscle relaxer 5mg, I am thinking I need something a little stronger cause I can't tell that these are helping. I take the amount of calcium that the doctor told me to take and any other vitamins the doctor tell me to take. Thanks for your input :)
Hugs... Bethany
janice said:
Spasms hurt like the dickens and i get them in my neck. i was told that they come with any type of arthritic condition...as well all the other causes like vitamin deficient and stuff...i'm sure ann has info on that that shed be happy to share...
I have a script for muscle relaxer when it happens to me and i also make sure I have enough calcium and magnessium in me..
i'm sorry you are in so much pain; did you go to the doc?
hope all goes well with you...i will keep you in prayer...in fact, i need to pray...i think i missed holy hour:)
Hi Bethany Wright, i am so pleased that you will get some help with your back. And how excellent that you have a tens machine, they can be invaluable at times. Not everyone finds they help, but most people who have them do, as they work by stimulating the brains own morphine and releasing it to the part that needs the pain relief. Pain is quite complex how it works and the brain involvement. I would definately recommend tens to people to try at least. Some doctors have small units they can lend out to their chronic pain patients. I borrowed one and found it quite helpful so ended up buying myself one. You can use it on its own with out meds or along with other pain meds, it can really help. When i was in hospital for three weeks i wore it almost constantly, not having on though. But at least it was on me so if i needed it, i could use it. What did annoy me though was i needed some new stick on pads, and they said they would get the pain management team to bring me some down as they prefer alternative pain management, after three weeks they still hadnt managed to get any, in the end i was sending my husband into Boots the chemist over here to look for them, and you know what men are like hehe, they can never find anything, hehe. Anyway i was just so glad to get out of hospital at the end of the day, hehe. And you are right heat treatment is the best for back pain usually, although it does depend on the area. Although any area, a combination of heat treatment and other things usually does help. I remember years ago, i put out the three bottom bones in my back where the cocyx is, and it was sheer agony, never felt anything like it in my life at the time, like i said i was having to crawl to get down the stairs. Thank god they were able to help to get it sorted, although it did take a while. Good luck with it all. Thinking of you, take care, look after yourself, speak soon, love and hugs Astrid40xoxo
Bethany Wright said:
Astrid40,
I am going Friday to get my back worked on. My husband will be able to drive me, as I am uncomfortable about driving due to the fact that my leg stiffness up when the pain hits. I have a TENS unit to use on my back, but you are correct the heat therapy will work best. I have always had a bad back, and it's very easy for me to throw it out. Hope this finds you doing well.
hugs... Bethany
astrid40 said:Hi Bethany Wright, i am so sorry to hear you have hurt your back, back pain can be one of the worst pains there is sometimes. I once hurt my back when i was younger and i couldnt walk properly and had to get down my stairs to bed, as my bedroom was downstairs instead of up (i had this strange flat where bedrooms were downstairs). Anyway i had to literally almost crawl down the stairs in a very careful manner as otherwise i would get these awful spasms of pain raging through me. So in answer to your question back pain especially lower back pain can cause spasms, as its is the very core to our movement in that area along with the neck area. I am not surprised thata you cant get comfortable. I am assuming you have been to see a doctor, as they can get you help with a physio and even just have some heat treatment for the pain. The first time i had the heat treatment i actually felt worse, but after six weeks of it i felt a fair bit better, as they cant do anything with you until they have lowered the inflammation caused by what you have done to you back. So the way to go first is to dampen down the inflammation, then some gentle physio can happen. I have Fibromyalgia too, its difficult sometimes to know whats what when everywhere is in pain, but normally is muscle pain with fibro and pressure areas, where as the Lupus does tend to be more joint pain than muscle, but like you say it is hard to tell. I have just been given a new medication to take for the fibromyalgia, it is primarily an antidepressant, but also works as a pain killer for people with fibromyalgia, i havent tried it yet, as i am just getting the idea of taking it into my own mind as i am worried about the fact it can be abit sedating so they said, but no more than any other med i suppose, but i am just concerned about being more sleepy, as i am tired enough. I will have to bite the bullet and give it a go soon i think, hehe. I am on so many different medications already, i really didnt want to add any more. I am on 24 different meds for all the complications i have with the Lupus, so i am abit fed up with keep adding more and more really. Its hard for us to keep strong sometimes isnt it? Anyway i really hope that you back starts to improve, have you tried raising your legs, or would that be too painful, or maybe a pillow between the knees to take some of the weight of your legs off your back, just a couple of ideas. Its what works for you really. Laying flat is usually best for bad backs. Anyway take care, bye for now, love and hugs Astrid40xoxox