Re: Bad leg cramps

I suffered from sever muscle spasms from puberty right up to the age of 50. I had numerous blood tests done, and even an EMG. (I had a bad spasm during the EMG with the needle in my calf!) No one could find anything. My mother, father, and brother all suffered from spasms, but I had them the worst. I can totally relate to trying to get rid of one and making the other one worse. I was told that "Muscle spasms just run in your family" by one of the neurologists I went to. I was really annoyed at that statement. My reply was that spasms don't run in families, but whatever predisposes us to them does, and THAT is what I wanted to find out. Then I went to a Rheumatologist who referred me to Columbia Presbyterian Movement Disorder Clinic. I was seen by Dr. Clifton Gooch, a movement disorder specialist. He also did an EMG, and on my second visit, diagnosed me with Cramping Fasiculation Syndrome. I was started on Neurontin, and the muscle spasms stopped. Period! Done! I suffered for 35 years and now they were gone. I always knew when I was going to have a bad night. I would feel my legs "threatening". I knew if I turned the wrong way I would get nailed. The spasms were not limited to my legs either!! Sometimes my abdominal muscles would cramp and I would literally take my hand and push the protruding muscle back into place. My husband at the time would witness the leg spasms, and the muscle would actually distort. You could see it! Don't give up. Good luck. Tweet