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My 69-year Old Wife Hasn't Had A Nights Sleep With Chronic Leg Cramps (both Legs) Can Anything Be Done For This Condition?
Posted on
Sun, 5 Aug 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 5 Aug 2018
Answered on
Thu, 12 Jan 2023
Last reviewed on
Question : my 69-year old wife hasn't had a nights sleep in months due to chronic leg cramps (both legs). she spends most of the night pacing, trying to walk them off with little to no success. she is 5'5" tall, 120 lbs and in otherwise fine physical condition.
She works as a nurse practitioner specializing in addictions and is not on her feet excessively during her work day.
I'm worried because she is always tired, sleep deprived; which affects her mood, enthusiasm for life and mental health.
Can anything be done for this condition? her doctor sent her to a specialist for an EMG, but he refused to follow through telling her to work it out with her doctor. She has been taking Calcium, magnesium, vitamin d and multivitamins for the past year or so for her condition, but has seen no relief.
She works as a nurse practitioner specializing in addictions and is not on her feet excessively during her work day.
I'm worried because she is always tired, sleep deprived; which affects her mood, enthusiasm for life and mental health.
Can anything be done for this condition? her doctor sent her to a specialist for an EMG, but he refused to follow through telling her to work it out with her doctor. She has been taking Calcium, magnesium, vitamin d and multivitamins for the past year or so for her condition, but has seen no relief.
Brief Answer:
Restless leg syndrome, needs to find the cause to get treated.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Noted the history about your wife and understood the concerns.
Chronic leg cramps for months in a lady of 69 causing loss of sleep and thus having further problems is a big concern.
One of the commonest causes of restless leg syndrome is stress, anxiety and since she is working as a nurse practitioner with addictions, this can be a major cause.
Other reasons may be triggers like foods, some deficiencies, some medical conditions like diabetes and so on.
Treatment of hte basic cause can be beneficial.
She is already taking the supplements but are not working.
Please discuss with your Doctor for medications for this problem and since these are prescription based medications, needs to be ordered by a Doctor. Sleep medicines with anxiolytic properties can help.
Lifestyle changes, avoidance of certain foods and beverages can help.
Light massage, warm showers before bed, warmers can help.
Since she is from the medical field, she can understand these points, help out to find the cause and get treated well.
I hope this answer helps.
Regards.
Restless leg syndrome, needs to find the cause to get treated.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Noted the history about your wife and understood the concerns.
Chronic leg cramps for months in a lady of 69 causing loss of sleep and thus having further problems is a big concern.
One of the commonest causes of restless leg syndrome is stress, anxiety and since she is working as a nurse practitioner with addictions, this can be a major cause.
Other reasons may be triggers like foods, some deficiencies, some medical conditions like diabetes and so on.
Treatment of hte basic cause can be beneficial.
She is already taking the supplements but are not working.
Please discuss with your Doctor for medications for this problem and since these are prescription based medications, needs to be ordered by a Doctor. Sleep medicines with anxiolytic properties can help.
Lifestyle changes, avoidance of certain foods and beverages can help.
Light massage, warm showers before bed, warmers can help.
Since she is from the medical field, she can understand these points, help out to find the cause and get treated well.
I hope this answer helps.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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