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What Causes Severe Cramps In Legs At Night?
Posted on
Tue, 23 Jun 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 23 Jun 2015
Answered on
Tue, 14 Jul 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : I woke up several times during the night from a sound sleep with severe cramping in my legs, thighs and lower legs. I thought I might be dehydrated so went to get a bottle of water, and when trying to open it, got bad cramping in both hands. This has never happened before, should I be concerned
I forgot to mention that I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and I am morbidly obese, 100 lbs
I forgot to mention that I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and I am morbidly obese, 100 lbs
Brief Answer:
Yes you should be concerned.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
1. Cramps are a withdrawal symptom of Norco (Acetaminophen plus Hydrocodone) and the onset of these symptoms depends upon the half life of the drug. This simply means, the amount of time it takes for the drug be broken down by the body into half it's amount.
2. You need to be concerned, only to the point of which, you might have developed a dependence for Norco.
3. I feel that the concurrent conditions you have such as diabetes, obesity and the like have little bearing on your sudden symptoms.
4. You did the right thing by helping yourself correct dehydration but that all is not sufficient.
My strong suggestion for you is evaluation for Opioid dependence.
Regards,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Yes you should be concerned.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
1. Cramps are a withdrawal symptom of Norco (Acetaminophen plus Hydrocodone) and the onset of these symptoms depends upon the half life of the drug. This simply means, the amount of time it takes for the drug be broken down by the body into half it's amount.
2. You need to be concerned, only to the point of which, you might have developed a dependence for Norco.
3. I feel that the concurrent conditions you have such as diabetes, obesity and the like have little bearing on your sudden symptoms.
4. You did the right thing by helping yourself correct dehydration but that all is not sufficient.
My strong suggestion for you is evaluation for Opioid dependence.
Regards,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So I could have developed a dependency, I only take about 4 a week, is that too much? How is an Opioid dependency treated?
Brief Answer:
Opioid dependency is treated with "suboxone"
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
1. Yes. You could have developed an opioid dependence. You are right.
2. This is perfectly possible with 4 tablets a week even.
3. That you might want to go to your doctor, and talk to him or her about your fears of this condition.
4. That your doctor might give you a tablet called suboxone (which is a combination of opiate and another drug that reverses the actions of the possible addiction)
5. You might feel better with this combination. Many people do.
Regards,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
healthcaremagic
Opioid dependency is treated with "suboxone"
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
1. Yes. You could have developed an opioid dependence. You are right.
2. This is perfectly possible with 4 tablets a week even.
3. That you might want to go to your doctor, and talk to him or her about your fears of this condition.
4. That your doctor might give you a tablet called suboxone (which is a combination of opiate and another drug that reverses the actions of the possible addiction)
5. You might feel better with this combination. Many people do.
Regards,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
healthcaremagic
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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