Dilantin for Muscle cramps

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I've read the posts about Dilantin not being used for CMT. Question I have is

WHY would my neuromuscular doc prescribe it for my muscle cramps. She seemed

really knowledgable. Afterall, she is one of the MDA drs for CMT in Houston!!!

I have been on Neurontin for a couple years, but started having leg cramps

in the middle of the

night. She told me to stop the Neurontin and start Dilantin 200-300mg

before bed. What are your thoughts on this.

Angie

[Guest guest]

Angie,

Dilantin can make CMT worse. Your doc might be thinking if the

electrical activity in your brain can be controlled, your muscle cramps

will stop. I would ask about other medications, perhaps a muscle

relaxant of some kind would help. Or ask your doc if you can try

Quinine tablets. Drinking a glass of Tonic Water before bed can help

stop the cramps too (Quinine in it).

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

After suffering with " Night Cramps " for several years, I found a strange, but

(for me) effective solution. In our local newspaper was a weekly column by a

Doctor, whose name I can't remember. What I do remember is that he found it

strange that a bar of soap, placed against or near the sufferers legs, would

quiet the cramps.

Feeling slightly ridiculous, I decided to try it myself. Whad'ya know, it works!

(Yeah, I know, WEIRD.)

I've found since then that what works best for me is a good, HOT shower with

thorough soaping of my legs, then after drying, I rub a soap bar on my legs

before putting on socks. I always sleep with socks, to dampen the pain and keep

my overly sensitive feet warm. Under the bottom sheet, I place an unwrapped bar

of soap, between My legs.

Using this (apparently) strange regimen, my Night Cramps have become (mostly) a

thing of the past. I also take Calcium before bedtime, too. The only time I have

them anymore, is when I don't follow the regimen.

Be well!

Kris