Hi Jen,
No advice to offer, beyond what the others have said, but just wanted to say you’re not alone. I get these really awful ones once in a while, too.
I had one a couple of weeks ago, from toe to groin: it was agony.
I was lying in bed when it started: immediately, I broke out in cold sweat, so much I had to strip the bed afterwards. I got up (could hobble, sort of) and caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror, and I was kind of grey, and had very wide, frightened eyes, and thought I was going to throw up.
I normally find I have to force myself to weight-bear, no matter how painful it is, as it seems to be the only way I can coax it to ease of. I took an extra baclofen and half a diazepam immediately I could reach the kitchen (where they were), but I was conscious even as I took them that it was probably a waste, because I rarely find these attacks last more than 15 minutes anyway (though I agree it feels like hours) - not even long enough for the pills to work. But at least it felt as if I was doing something.
This recent one was so severe that, like you, I injured my leg, and was limping for quite a few days afterwards. I got really scared to go to bed, in case it was the start of a new pattern, and would happen again.
But so far, there seems no rhyme nor reason to them. Having one does not seem to mean I’m more at risk in subsequent nights, thank goodness.
I have found liberal swearing helps make the pain slightly more bearable. No, I’m not mad - it’s been proved that giving vent to expletives can improve pain tolerance - though my neighbours probably don’t appreciate this at 3 a.m - but at least there’s no-one actually in the same building.
I also try to force myself to take deep breaths, and I recite: “Nobody ever died of cramp, nobody ever died of cramp…” to reassure myself it’s not life-threatening, and will pass.
Looking back into the dim and distant past, I remember I used to have the odd one, years prior to diagnosis. I vividly remember lying on the living room floor one Winter night, thinking I could not stand up. I wondered whether I would call an ambulance - which I’d never heard of anybody doing, for cramp, and seemed faintly ridiculous - or whether I’d have to lie on the floor all night.
In the event, it wore off after about 15 minutes, just like the ones I get now. I suppose they have got more frequent over the years, but it’s still only once every few weeks. My fears that it might become a nightly thing have so far not materialised.
I dont know what triggers them, but I think it may have to do with getting cold. I’ve taken to wearing socks in bed, and I bought a heater for my room. It’s on a thermostat, so I don’t have it up high - just enough to keep the chill off.
Tina
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