Having Cramps In Arms, Painful And Cannot Move For While. Painless Cramps In Legs And Feet. Advise?

Posted on Sun, 19 May 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 19 May 2013 Answered on

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : You're experiencing significant cramping, especially in your left arm, which is so severe upon waking that you can't move it for a period. Currently, you have milder, non-painful cramping in your lower legs, feet, and left arm, allowing movement. However, the most concerning issue is the harsh cramping in your left arm (and sometimes both arms), often extending to your hands and fingers, that occurs when you wake up, rendering them immobile,

Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (4 hours later)

Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting your query.

The cramps you are facing when you wake up are unspecific and could be as a result of one the vast number of diseases that can cause cramps. First I will advice that you consult a physician as soon as possible who can do a proper evaluation and provide you with appropriate treatment. the different possible causes of your illnesses could be

- True cramp (motor unit hyperactivity) which could be of course due to: ordinary cramps (which i doubt that it could be given your presentation), lower motor neuron disease (your age may rule that out as such diseases are mostly found in elderly can not be entirely excluded), heat cramp, blood and electrolyte disorders ( such as hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hyper/hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia etc).
- drug induced: so if you are on any particular diseases you should probably get that checked out.

- contracture : due to underlying diseases conditions such as thyroid diseases, mArdle's disease etc

- inflammatory bone and muscle diseases

Ones your doctor can examine you, do a series of blood tests, he might be able to determine the origin of your cramps and privide you with appropriate medication.

Hope this helps

Dr. Nsah

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar