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Muscle Spasms at night YIKES!!!

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mjsink

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OK -- i have read the OLDER posts on this, but thought i would see what new thoughts are out there.

I had my right knee replaced on Oct. 4th --- no big issues -- did great and am at 120 degrees and 0 (and did it in time for the birth of my first grandchild on Nov 20th!!)

My LEFT knee replacement was on Jan 31st --- things are on schedule with my PT --- at 1 right now on straightening and at 107 (with teeth gritted) on bending.

My issue is that at night (for about 3 weeks now) my ham string, and other things UNDER my knee are spasming at night -- starting at around 12 midnight and going from 2 to 4 in the morning.

Muscle relaxers (prescription) don't help. I am taking Advil or Tylenol --- i have some stronger meds that I got after surgery --- but that doesn't seem to help with the spasms.

This didn't happen with my Right leg --- my therapist said that the back of my left was MUCH more tight than my right was -- but it is stretching out better now -- he does "work" on my ham strings M, W, F and I can now carry on conversation while he is "working" on them.

Any suggestions --- I just want to get a night's sleep!!!!

thanks for suggestions. Marjorie
 
Hi Marjorie, have you researched restless leg syndrome? I had similar symptoms but they did go away at about 8 weeks. I believe quinine helps, so drinking good tonic water. Interesting you think the hamstrings being tight could be doing it. My hamstrings were and are still tight but working to stretch them.
 
it's not funny, but I had to laugh.. another thing to worry about!
I had spasms right after surgery, took muscle relaxer, broke out in
a big rash. I get a spasm when they put the lotion on my knee to
massage it. I would check with your primary care doctor or
even the surgeon to see what they recommend.. maybe it is
just a matter of time till they go away! best of luck!!!
 
Greetings mjsink! I had RTKR on Jan. 9, 2012 and I too am having muscle spasms... but I am having them during the day. I think it is due to overwork of the leg at a PT session at the beginning of this week because I haven't had them before. I am taking it easy now. Light stretches, ice and a little moist heat on the muscles while I ice the knee. I hope Josephine responds to this because she has some good advice for issues like this. Good Luck!
Lilly
RTKR
Jan. 9, 2012
 
You have plenty of ROM.

So why not rest your leg for 2-3 days and see what happens? You're not going to lose any ground. Because otherwise you are doing great.
 
oh my goodness!!! Before bed i drank some Club Soda (with Quinine) per the suggestions on the site sent by Josephine. Then I used a heating pad on the small of my back last night -- when going to bed -----

Got scared because after about 1 hour a had a "twinge" of a muscle spasm. SIGH --- then one more --- and THEN -- NOTHING!!! I mean -- my knee would be stiff when I changed position in bed (but that is NOT the same as that sharp pain of the muscle spasm). SO i actually SLEPT last night and woke up --- did you read that?? WOKE UP at 7 45 -- and was rested enough to GET UP!!! YAY!!!

Hope i have not jinxed this by posting this -- i'll let you know if it works for several nights. Can't wait to talk to my therapist today!!!!

Thanks for the comments --
A better rested MJSINK :-)
 
Marjorie, I am keeping my fingers crossed for you that it works tonight as well!!! Yeah!!!!!
 
:yahoo: for the BoneSmartie collective intelligence!
 
Well MJSINK, thats wonderful news. As Jospephine says above, "Bonesmartie collective intelligence" and proves how useful this forum is. For me it was the heatpack in the small of my back that helped, plus iron tablets but you know, its summer here and I was drinking tonic water and lemon so that could have helped too.
 
OK -- so the next few nights were better than before i started the Tonic Water W/ Quinine and the heating pad in the small of my back -- the RLS has shortened to about 15 - 20 minutes. Might try the green tea tonight and see if that helps as well. Thanks for the support --- i will continue checking back in here to see what else is said.
 
It may still come and go for a while, even if these "tricks" work. Just keep at it and don't get discouraged.
 
Hi, I'd wake in the night with the RSL, get up eat cornflakes and drink camomile tea.
 
Now cornflakes is a new one on me!!!:hysterical: But...hey......whatever works!
 
Don't know about the cornflakes but do know about the RLS - the spasms come and go, also know it gets better. The itch is the most annoying part for me because I want to scratch it but still have the numbness so I can't feel the scratch, but do feel the itch - weird.
I do a good stretch when I get the spasms, no matter what time it is, and that usually helps.
Personally, I love a good PBJ sandwich when it keeps me up too long .
 
Cornflakes, PBJ sarnies, Hula Hoops (I saw on somebody else's post) - all doing nothing for the RLS, all just comfort food. However, it gets us moving about to go and get the comfort food and I think thats what maybe helps the RLS.
 
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