Muscle cramps and legs falling asleep

[Laoshur]

I have another question, or maybe two.

Does anyone have a problem with their legs (and sometimes arms and hands) falling asleep? The frequency of this seems to be something new and I wondered whether it could be related to the fact that Dr. Gilligan doubled my Toprol. This has really slowed my heart (about 20 bpm drop to the low 70's to low 80's now) and dropped my bp. Specifically, it has decreased to between 110/78 and 80/56 compared with 150/98 to 137/90 before he doubled the Toprol. Could that be causing my legs to fall asleep? Has anyone else noticed this?

About the same time I started having more frequent muscle cramps, especially in my feet and legs. I have had these off and on for years, especially in the evening while sitting or in class while standing for very long, but they seemed to get worse toward the end of the summer. My potassium had been low early last summer, so Dr. G also put me on 10 meq of K+ twice a day. When the muscle cramps worsened, I called my GP and asked him to run an electrolyte check, which he did not long before we returned here. He did not call to indicate that there was any problem, so I assume all was OK there.

So, I have wondered whether there could be a connection between the muscle cramps and the falling asleep and the doubling of the Toprol. Anyone know?

Thanks! Rhoda

[angall]

Re: Muscle cramps and legs falling asleep

Hi Rhonda
It's funny that you should post this question. I too have been having cramps in my feet. It has been happening for a couple of months now. I was once told by a medical friend of mine that not drinking enough milk causes cramps. I am not really fond of milk and still don't drink as much as I should. I really don't have an answer to your questions about Toprol. I know how painful these cramps can get. I get them mostly in the underside of my foot, from right above my arch to the end of my toes. It makes my toes curl. Maybe others can relate to your question about Toprol.

[Burton Borrok]

Re: Muscle cramps and legs falling asleep

Hi Rhoda and Esther,
I guess I’ll jump in on this one. (Everyone knows fools rush in _ _ _ ) I checked out http://www.drugs.com/toprol.html and I see possible side effects of ‘Swelling of the feet and lower legs’ and ‘Leg pain or cramping.’ Could that be what you are experiencing?

Actually Rhoda, since it is not a new drug for you, but an increase, I wonder if possibly what you are experiencing is the reduction of circulation to your extremities. You’re BP can get lower then optimum. I was told the optimum systolic pressure for me was 120 to 140, and the ideal pulse rate was in the sixties. Of course that’s for me, and we are all individuals, but it might be of interest for you too.

Esther, I’m sorry but I don’t know enough about your situation to even begin to guess, but you’re more then welcome to listen and see what fits you.

Rhoda, I would suggest, if you can get into email contact with your doctor, explore the possibility of halving the increase (3/4 of your current dosage) to see if that eliminates the problem. Or fine tuning with another drug in conjunction with this one if the doctor thinks that would be a better approach.

As far as the potassium goes, I’ve had some recent experience. I was on an additional diuretic (to Lasix) and in one week it completely drained my potassium. My first warning was pains in my calves as if they were thinking of cramping. I increased my potassium from ten to twenty K+ per day, but it was no go. I was in the hospital when first one and then the other calf seized, and I couldn’t walk for about a day. (I did make it to the john, but I almost crushed a nurse trying to make it back to the bed.) Anyway, they gave me forty meq of K+ three times with meals and also hung a drip all afternoon until I just couldn’t stand it any longer. (That stuff really burns your veins.)

It probably would be easy to get a doctor over there to draw a sample and get the level tested. The normal potassium level is 3.5 to 5.6 meq/L. If you are low, take an extra 10 meq for a few days to bring the level up to normal – but I really think you’re problem here is too much calcium channel blocker – at least in one quick step.

Please let us know what you decide, and how it works out.
Thanks - Burt

[Ronnie]

Re: Muscle cramps and legs falling asleep

Rhoda,
We share a lot of similar symptoms. My first thought is your potassium levels. For each diuretic (Bumex, for me now) I take 1-10 of K+ I get nightly leg cramps & asked my Dr if it was the Toprol & he said "no". I was taking 100mg daily & he upped the Toprol to 200mg recently, because of my Afib.
Strangely enogh, I do feel better when I force myself to drink mile - Esther, you may have something there!
My best solution to the leg & foot problems is for my Husband to massage my legs & feet, for about 1 hour every night. I also have a pedicure monthly, cause I enjoy the massage part!