Leg cramps driveing me insane

Hi rzxcd - I started tamox last June (a year ago).  Started getting foot and calf cramps around January of this year (6 months later).  Went for about 2 months with these hitting me almost every night and during the day if I stretched the wrong way.  It's now June and they are better - usually go a week at a time without a foot/leg cramp then one will hit me again, but it is better.  I'm hoping it's just a cycle you have to go through and it will continue to get better until it goes away.  Maybe once my body finishes adjusting to the medicine???  Hopeful!

My Onc recommended the over-the-counter combo of magnesium, calcium and zinc.  I believe each tab has about one-third of the daily requirement of each.  I take one a day, at supper.  Have been taking them for about 3 months, and I do think it's gotten a little better.  At my last visit, she said I could bump it up to two per day, but I haven't.  Just weary of so many wretched pills!  Good luck -

Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxer. Try upping your dose of magnesium. I'm having SE's from my AL, too. I take Aromasin and am getting leg pains, HOT FLASHES and insomnia. The leg pain seems to be less when I take magnesium. All my best, Debs

Hi all,

I've been on Tamox since January and have been having worsening cramps in my feet calves and even shins at  night and esp. in the early hours of the morning.  This week has been so bad that I am really sleep deprived on top of it all.  Also, my right calf has felt sore and tender since a particularly bad night two nights ago; it's probably just irritated from the constant cramps, but of course, now I am worried that it could also be a blood clot. . .  I have no other signs that indicate a clot, so I am monitoring it for now.  Anyone else had this?

I'm here to second the opinion on taking enough minerals and drinking loads of water should take that misery away. 

Magnesium citrate with a low dose B6, 25-50 mgs. should do it.  But you have to find out how much magnesium to take to find relief for yourself.   Mine works at 500 mgs.  I do take calcium citrate too and that might be helping, but for me it was magnesium at the correct dosage.  The B6 helps magnesium be absorbed.  Take mg first before taking calcium.  Wait a couple of hours then take calcium. I also take a D3 pill at the time I take magnesium.  I'm leaving no stone unturned to get the mg absorbed because I hate those leg muscle cramps.  I hope you find relief.

I just found this thread and all I can say is Thanks!  I started tamoxifen at the end of Feb. and I have been having bad leg muscle cramps.  My bloodwork also shows that I am deficient in folic acid.  One more thing......

Libra,

Not to harp, but you are going to take the magnesium citrate with B6 alone, not with calcium?  It's important.  Calcium offsets our magnesium absorption if taken together.  To give this a fair test, it has to be done a certain way.  Wait a couple of hours before taking calcium.   I hope it works for you.  Also, drink loads of water.  Oh, and 2 brazil nuts daily.  Selenium helps our muscles too.

I've had these cramps on and off for many years. A nutritional specialist who is also a medical practitioner reccommended that I take a combo of potassium and magnesium. I also try to have tonic water at least 3 times a week. When I stick to it it works, but sometimes I runout or just get sick of taking so many pills and then it comes back.

You just have to keep taking the pills.

Thanks Rosemary - I will pick up some B6 and give it a try (sigh).  I am so not a pill person - I work odd hours and eat at different times every day; makes it tricky being consistent, but will give it a go.  On the upside, for the last two days I took the combo pills and 2 8oz. glasses of tonic water and have had no cramps!  I had such a good sleep last night, finally. 

I've always taken Vitamin E for leg cramps and charlie horses.  When I started on Arimidex, the leg cramps started, and I immediately started on the E.  Haven't had them since.

 That was surprising to hear that you shouldn't take magnesium with calcium, since I too have the calmag combo. I looked around and found this -- but I couldn't find anything on NOT taking them together?

 RESEARCH BRIEF

Calcium is transported through the body using a series of transport proteins called 'calcium binding proteins'. Among these are: parvalbumin, calmodulin, oncomodulin and more. These compounds pick up calcium in areas of high calcium concentration. They tend to release the calcium in the presence of high magnesium concentration. This is because both the calcium and the magnesium share the same electronic charge (+2). This mechanism efficiently delivers calcium to be deposited into the bone, provided that there is sufficient magnesium for the subsequent release of the calcium atoms. This is why calcium and magnesium are found to be much more effective when dosed together as a supplement. When the calcium is released, enzymes in the bone cells attract higher levels of the calcium to help builds stronger bones. Over time, this will increase bone density.

Oh my gosh. I have just finished my 5 years of tamox and I never made the connection.  I just thought my leg cramps were due to walking more steps, new work boots or whatever.  I never made the connection to the tamox.  Now that I'm done, I will pay attention to my leg cramps to see if they stop.  these boards are soooo informative. 

Thank you all!

Hi-I started taking more calcium, 1 pill at night and one in the morning w/ a multi-vitamin. I also added magnesium-200 mg per night. I finally found the magnesium chelate at Whole Foods. I read on these threads that the chelate is better absorbed than the oxide.

My feet/heel's are feeling better. I'm at 1200mg calc. w/ 200 magnesium., I know I have to boost the magnesium up a little but for now I'm OK w/200 mg.

P.S. I'm on tamoxifen and have been for a year this month-the feet/heel pain started last month in July.

Take care of yourselves.