Muscle Spasms

BarefootBob
BarefootBob Member Posts: 72
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi all. I am now about 6 weeks post-op and starting my first week of Radiation. In the last week or so, I have been experiencing muscle spasms that will result in my arm or leg tossing itself out of a resting position. Very weird? I also have been getting cramping in my muscles around the heel up to my calf...very similar to a leg cramp. They have been so painful they wake me at night, not to mention my right leg has a bruise that's looks like I was hit with a softball. Anyway, thanks for listening...first day of Rads on Wednesday. Seems like I should prepare myself for 4-5th week to post two weeks Rads for a lot of discomfort. We have all come this far, not going to let that worry me today.


Much love,
Bob

Comments

  • blackswampboy
    blackswampboy Member Posts: 341
    #2
    dehydration?
    my son has a long history of waking up in the night with leg cramps--every doctor we've ever talked to says the same thing: cramps = dehydration.
    I was getting leg dancing during chemo from the massive amount of benadryl they were giving me. cut the benadryl in half, the twitching stopped.
  • Grandmax4
    Grandmax4 Member Posts: 723
    #3
    I know this sounds crazy~~~
    but, put a bar of soap in your bed, when you feel a cramp coming on put your foot on it or I grab it with my toes...I don't know why or how it works, but it does...doesn't matter what kind of soap~~~ this is an old, old remedy from my Great-Grandma, handed down in our family
  • BarefootBob
    BarefootBob Member Posts: 72
    #4
    nerve regeneration....??
    I was wondering if this could be a symptom from all the work done with my neck dissection and the nerves doing weird things. I mean seriously, I will be sitting on the couch and my shoulder just "jumps"...throws my whole arm away from my body. I am actually laughing as I write this b/c I know how crazy and funny this sounds .

    I am drinking lots of liquids but could use more....

    I have never heard of the soap trick, but sounds interesting. I am assuming that it causes you to stretch out that leg muscle.

    FWIW, I have also heard lack of Vitamin D as well, but more concerned about arm spasms.

    thanks,

    Bob
  • Billie67
    Billie67 Member Posts: 898
    #5
    BarefootBob said:

    nerve regeneration....??
    I was wondering if this could be a symptom from all the work done with my neck dissection and the nerves doing weird things. I mean seriously, I will be sitting on the couch and my shoulder just "jumps"...throws my whole arm away from my body. I am actually laughing as I write this b/c I know how crazy and funny this sounds .

    I am drinking lots of liquids but could use more....

    I have never heard of the soap trick, but sounds interesting. I am assuming that it causes you to stretch out that leg muscle.

    FWIW, I have also heard lack of Vitamin D as well, but more concerned about arm spasms.

    thanks,

    Bob

    Are you by any chance taking Reglan for your stomach? That has been known to bring on very similar spasms. Just a thought. By the way, the soap does work for leg cramps and spasms, so weird but it does.
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #6
    Please check with primary !
    Bob,
    Like you need more problems. I wouldn't mess with this ! Several things could be going on. Definely could be related to surgery, but get this checked out asap ! Warmest regards, Katie
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #7
    The first thing I thought of was
    dehydration, too. I've gotten charlie horses in my legs for years, and they usually come when I've neglected drinking enough liquids. I read many times, that having Quinine water on hand will relax them. I keep it on hand, and when I get the cramps I get up and pace and sip Quinine water while I'm walking around.

    I don't think the surgery on your neck is what is affecting your legs (tho most certainly think that the dissection has everything to do with your arm movements)...Does it hurt when your arm does it's thing? Or is it just spooky?

    p
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #8
    The first thing I thought of was
    dehydration, too. I've gotten charlie horses in my legs for years, and they usually come when I've neglected drinking enough liquids. I read many times, that having Quinine water on hand will relax them. I keep it on hand, and when I get the cramps I get up and pace and sip Quinine water while I'm walking around.

    I don't think the surgery on your neck is what is affecting your legs (tho most certainly think that the dissection has everything to do with your arm movements)...Does it hurt when your arm does it's thing? Or is it just spooky?

    p
  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #9
    twitchy subject
    Hi Bob,

    I thought dehydration also, but you are drinking plenty. My neck dissection wasn’t major but I don’t have arms or shoulders moving. Are you on any medication yet? Well if it makes you laugh, put a hammer in your hand, a pencil or the TV remote to make it look like you are doing something. I hope you have better luck than my advice, maybe you are anxious and it is all nerves?

    Best,

    Matt
  • ToBeGolden
    ToBeGolden Member Posts: 695
    #10
    Get Checked.
    My total laryngectomy injured my parathyroid glands. This resulted in loss of calcium regulation. Low calcium produces muscle twitching and cramping. But this is something the medical staff should check out. For me: the treatment is eating Tums everyday (plus calcitriol, a Vitamin D product.) I'm not being very clear. And you should not guess about this. Have your medical team check your electrolytes. Rick.
  • BarefootBob
    BarefootBob Member Posts: 72
    #11
    ToBeGolden said:

    Get Checked.
    My total laryngectomy injured my parathyroid glands. This resulted in loss of calcium regulation. Low calcium produces muscle twitching and cramping. But this is something the medical staff should check out. For me: the treatment is eating Tums everyday (plus calcitriol, a Vitamin D product.) I'm not being very clear. And you should not guess about this. Have your medical team check your electrolytes. Rick.

    Thanks for input...
    I called and made appt. w Dr. for tomorrow. I will fill her in with all info. Radiation starts tom.too so busy day ahead. I did help that after my first feeding this am I threw it all back up. Maybe I'm coming down with something. All this information helps, thais all.

    I will let you know how it all turns out. Hopefully it's nothing. If its something that's again for input. We get it.

    Much love,
    Bob
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #12
    BarefootBob said:

    Thanks for input...
    I called and made appt. w Dr. for tomorrow. I will fill her in with all info. Radiation starts tom.too so busy day ahead. I did help that after my first feeding this am I threw it all back up. Maybe I'm coming down with something. All this information helps, thais all.

    I will let you know how it all turns out. Hopefully it's nothing. If its something that's again for input. We get it.

    Much love,
    Bob

    Hi Bob..
    Sorry I have nothing to offer in the way of similar experience...but as always ..whispered a prayer it gets better soon...

    Good to hear from you btw ....


    Best,

    Tim
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #13
    Tim6003 said:

    Hi Bob..
    Sorry I have nothing to offer in the way of similar experience...but as always ..whispered a prayer it gets better soon...

    Good to hear from you btw ....


    Best,

    Tim

    L'Hermitte's Syndrome
    is more than likely what you have brought on by the radiation. It typically last around 3 to 12 months. I've never had it but many here have. Search for it and you will find lots of information. I like the soap trick.
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #14
    Potassium
    My sodium and potassium levels got really low during treatment, so I was put on a liquid supplement that I could take via my feeding tube.

    Low potassium levels will cause the type of leg cramping you describe.

    Deb
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #15
    First Thoughts
    When I first scanned this post I thought you might have the same issues that I have. However I have never had leg pains or a bruise. I was diagnosed with trigeminal nerve neuropathy (sp?) and have the neck spasams, shoulder pain, numbness in the hand and other issues. These problems normally shows up around the eight year point following treatments if it shows up at all (mine didn't start until 13 years post treatment).

    Let us know what your Dr says and good luck.

    Denny
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    #16
    BarefootBob said:

    Thanks for input...
    I called and made appt. w Dr. for tomorrow. I will fill her in with all info. Radiation starts tom.too so busy day ahead. I did help that after my first feeding this am I threw it all back up. Maybe I'm coming down with something. All this information helps, thais all.

    I will let you know how it all turns out. Hopefully it's nothing. If its something that's again for input. We get it.

    Much love,
    Bob

    any updates ?
    Bob,

    what did your doctor say about your symptoms ?
    Hopefully it turned out to be nothing to worry about....just more of the surgery related side effects.

    How did your first few days of radiation go ?
  • BarefootBob
    BarefootBob Member Posts: 72
    #17
    Greend said:

    First Thoughts
    When I first scanned this post I thought you might have the same issues that I have. However I have never had leg pains or a bruise. I was diagnosed with trigeminal nerve neuropathy (sp?) and have the neck spasams, shoulder pain, numbness in the hand and other issues. These problems normally shows up around the eight year point following treatments if it shows up at all (mine didn't start until 13 years post treatment).

    Let us know what your Dr says and good luck.

    Denny

    Update...
    I am still having the spasms in my shoulders and arms. Looks like the leg issue may have been a separate issue of with lack of a vitamin or mineral. I have been taking a multi-vitamin and drinking a protein shake in the morning, and this seems to be helping a lot.

    So I am not sure yet what it is, told the doctors and they are mostly saying its part of the healing...lets hope so.

    Once again thanks for all you input and thoughts, it has been very informative and helpful.

    Thank you, my mighty warriors,
    Much love,

    Bob

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