My husband had his right let amputated last deember and is 68. due to no circulation. now he has the prosthesis but the pressure that the other leg takes, gives him terrible cramps and keeps him awake at night. Is there any way to relieve them that anyone knows of that will help him get some sleep. I hate to see him like that because they are just miserable for him and for me. help
2006-09-26 11:54:29 · 6 answers · asked by greenheadchick 4 in Health ➔ Men's Health
Anything with aspirin should help out, and/or IcyHot or something like Bengay, as someone else said.
2006-09-26 11:59:53 · answer #1 · answered by Omar D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have peripheral neuropathy and have leg cramps all the time. Maybe not as bad as your husband but I can at least empathise with him. I'm 60 and mine is an inherited problem.
I assume you are talking about what most people call a charlie horse up the back of the leg, below the knee. It is a strong contraction of the muscle to the point of severe pain.
What I have found helps is as soon as I feel it coming on, I take my foot and point my toe end of my foot up toward my knee as hard and far as I can, even if I have to reach down and pull it upward with my hand. What this does is stretches that muscle up the back of the leg and keeps it from contracting so hard. It may not stop the pain completely but it will greatly reduce it, at least it does for me.
He has to hold that position until the contraction passes then he can relax his ankle to let his foot go back to it's normal position.
I wish your husband luck. I know that it isn't any fun when the leg cramps like that. My heart goes out to him and you.
Take care of him, he's lucky to have someone like you that cares so much.
2006-09-26 12:29:02 · answer #2 · answered by wetsaway 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The doc needs to give him a muscle relaxer for at night. I would ask about that, theyll give it to him, especially in his case.
You can also use heat. Id get some heating pads and wrap them around his leg, itll loosen up those muscles. Also try sports cream.
I live with chronic pain, so I know the feeling of hurting while trying to go to sleep at night.
2006-09-26 12:34:23 · answer #3 · answered by ~~ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry to hear that. Has he gotten PT like he should have?? Normally you get cramps from dietary reasons, so eating a banana would help as would "walking it off" but this sounds like a question you should be asking a professional due to the prosthesis.
2006-09-26 12:00:21 · answer #4 · answered by blondie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ouch this is tough...i recommend that he see a doctor about this, as this pressure in his other leg thing doesnt sound very good at all. Does aspirin or tylenol work? Try that for now but he could also try sleeping pills.
2006-09-26 11:58:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Massage the area that is cramped. Help stretch the muscle.
Ask the doctors to check his Sodium levels as low sodium can casue this. Also there are various over the counter remedies you can get but check with the medics that they are suitable.
2006-09-26 12:00:13 · answer #6 · answered by jhaod 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, he needs to trust the prothesis, thats the first step in taking the pressure off the normal leg. Other than that, massaging and increasing his dosages of essential minerals. He also needs to stop drinking alcohol. Totally.
2006-09-26 12:01:46 · answer #7 · answered by Marcus R. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good rub down with ben gay prior to bed, heating pad helps also.
2006-09-26 11:56:22 · answer #8 · answered by HokieFan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋