leg cramps

After being on tamox for a month or so I too started with leg cramps that would knock me right out of bed. They seem to be subsiding, but still happen 3-4 times a week. I seemed to have developed Carpel tunnel in both hands overnight, was extremely painful. It lasted about a week, I bought some wrist splints and it has gone away. From reading oither posts, do AI's give you more severe joint and bone pain. I have an appt with my onc in 2 weeks and was going to ask about switching, but now am afraid that AI's sound worse than tamox. Thanks. Sandy

It's true, the later in the evening you can take calcium and magnesium, the better.  For leg cramps, I'd take the magnesium 2 hours apart from the calcium.  They seem to fight with each other for absorption.

 Marin,

What type of calcium are you on?  One of the thyroid drugs suggests that you don't take carbonate with it.  I'd watch for it in O.J. and where ever else they add calcium to these days.

I'm trying to think of where I first read all about magnesium.  It was quite an informative site for all the ailments it heals.  The recommended dosage was up to 800 mgs for those with heart problems.  I do about 600mgs daily.   The gov't sites always think we should take less:

The NIH has a write up on it and what drugs are countraindicated:

 http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium.asp

Debbie,

It should help, but another overlooked thing to do is to up your water intake.  Take the mag at night and maybe it will help with getting better rest.

Hi there, I also take tamoxifen and get like a fluttering/cramping feeling in my right leg. looks like it is part of the process.....

It could just be part of the process, and then again, it could be a first sign of magnesium deficiency.   It's hard to know unless you try magnesium and see if the problem disappears.

Marilyn,

Hopefully, you can decrease the dosage now.  Anyway, if your not feeling good on a drug, it's a big warning sign.  Your body is talking to you, so take yourself back to the Dr. and tell him/or her so.

Sorry for a new member to drag up an old post.   I have been on tamoxifen since August, about six weeks ago I started getting cramps.  I rang my oncologist who said rubbish it was nothing to do with tamoxifen.  I was so upset i cried, then I came home and did an internet search.   I found this and other topics on the subject which all seemed to confirm my thoughts that it was a direct side effect of tamoxifen.  On one discussion board I read someone say that you should put a bar of soap in your bed!  Normally i would have laughed but desperate measures were called for.  I put the bar of unopened soap in my bed ... I haven't had a leg cramp since!   Has anyone else tried it, or am I just completely nuts ????   Most people laugh at me when I tell them but it is now 10 days since my last leg cramp.

I recall that the post i read somewhere said some were better than others, cut all I had in the house was Lux so that is what I use

I get terrible leg cramps and had no idea it was the Tamox that could be causing this.  I also used to get them when I was pregnant so just figured it was me.. apparently not. I am going to try the tonic water thing. 

Hi I have absolutely no idea why it would work,   I thought it nuts when i read it but was so desperate I would try anything.  The soap is unopened, still in paper, and at the foot of my bed.  I swear I have not had a leg cramp since, maybe it is psychological but I really don't care.   

Mawhinny, I have the EXACT same thing with the right foot! Mine was pulling to the right!!  At night and while driving.  At night,  I find the best solution is to jump out of bed from a deep sleep, yelling f#ck, f#ck, F#CK!!!  I find my DB (dear boyfriend) really enjoys this in the middle of the night! Then I walk it off, however long it takes. But seriously, I had killer cramps on tamoxifen for about 3 months, and since switching to arimidex, they started again, but this time I was READY FOR THEM!!  I was more careful about never missing the calcium...my naturopath recommends 2:1 calcium to magnesium Sisu Cal-mag citrate (that's what she recommends for ME, you may need something else...)  I also am careful not to get my feet too weighed down with the bedclothes.  Stick em out...helps with the hot flashes!!!  It must have to do with the sudden lack of estrogen.  Sometimes I wonder if cutting off all that estrogen is *really* good for us!  Couldn't they leave us with just a delightful joint-lubricating, muscle-freeing *titch* of estrogen?  Oh well, I guess we'll never know!

 Good luck to all of us with these nutty sfx! 

Oh my am I glad to find this discussion and realize this might be a drug related issue.  I have been on Tamoxifen for close to 3 yrs, suffering often from leg cramps for that whole time. I find heat helps, esp in winter, so have a heating pad that I start the night with. My mother also had them, and found relief in calcium supplements.  My pcp couldn't offer any help but did write a script for blood levels which I had drawn after a cramp-laden sleepless night. I wasn't deficient in any one substance, magnesium, potassium or calcium, but my calcium level was lower than the rest. So, I try very hard to stick to taking my vits earlier in the day and taking calcium chews 3 times a day.  Along with adequate water intake and a glass of tonic water, and I'm doing pretty well. Very maddening condition, esp when they hit in the midst of sleep!