Type 1 - Connect

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  • 1.  Severe leg cramps

    Posted 06-04-2022 07:25

    Prior to being diagnosed with T1 in 2017 aged 63, I was experiencing the usual symptoms, loosing weight, constantly thirsty and in general feeling unwell.  Additionally,  I was experiencing severe painful leg cramps, mainly during the night. The pain  was excruciating at times and of course once diagnosed and commenced injection of insulin, all cramp pain has gone.   I would like to understand if cramps are generally associated with diagnosis of T1 and if others have also experienced this. 


    Have a great day
    Suellen



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    Suellen
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  • 2.  RE: Severe leg cramps

    Posted 07-04-2022 09:06
    I was also diagnosed with T1 in 2019 at about the same age, I was 62 and experienced the same excruciating night time leg cramps prior to diagnosis which went away once on  insulin. I can get leg cramps particularly in the calf muscle or toes but only occasionally nothing like what was happening in that period, from the beginning of symptoms and diagnosis.  In retrospect I realised I was getting  dehydrated overnight as would drink 2 large glasses of water when I woke up and dehydration can contribute to cramps so I assumed that was the cause.
    cheers

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    Judith
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  • 3.  RE: Severe leg cramps

    Posted 07-04-2022 14:36
    Hi Suellen
    I too had severe leg cramps prior to being diagnosed with Type 2 at the age of 65, then Type 1 at the age of  69. The cramps were always at night and often in the thigh muscles. I am so glad they have stopped.

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    Barbara
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  • 4.  RE: Severe leg cramps

    Posted 08-04-2022 09:03
    Hi, Suellen I  also suffered from severe night cramps for around 22 years until I was correctly diagnosed as Type 1.5 LADA at the age of 62. I still get night leg cramps occasionally but not as bad as they were

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    Bruce
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  • 5.  RE: Severe leg cramps

    Posted 08-04-2022 18:10
    Hi Suellen,
    Leg cramping appears to be associated with many people in our community,  however seems to target  Type1's. I usually have leg cramps in bed and my wife always tells me when asleep my legs are continually moving around, sometimes quite aggressively, restless leg syndrome?  I have had Type1 for over 50 years and diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy on my feet so I can only assume that the nerves have also been effected a bit higher up in the calves etc. On the suggestion of my GP  I take some magnesium in the form of tablets Magnin by Blackmores but am not sure about its  efficacy, like many vitamins and minerals. Even though my HBa1c has been controlled over decades there seems to be some long term diabetic  effects that are hard to curtail over time. Hopefully, it would appear that  greater control of  blood sugars diminished your cramping. Keep up the good work. If it continues I would suggest a chat with your endocrinologist.

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    Michael
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  • 6.  RE: Severe leg cramps

    Posted 09-04-2022 06:49
    Hi Suellin, Bruce and  Michael
    I'm Long term T1 and have night cramps if I don't take Mg almost every night before bed. Types of Mg I have taken are: Sea minerals(oral and transdermal), Mg citrate and Mg malate. From what I have read and been advised, alternating(especially citrate and malate) is wise. Lots of books out there about Mg  by doctors, etc. Seems there is a calcium/magnesium ratio that is important but I don't have info on that other than how important that is in agriculture. Potassium is also involved re cramps but  get advice re that from an expert after having levels tested because of the associated dangers. I didn't start having cramps until a few years ago. Since that time I have noticed many more people in the general population complaining of cramps.  According to one author, the Mg maintenance cycle in the body commences at 3 AM. So If one wakes then it strongly indicates Mg shortage. Same author said that  Aluminium, which is very toxic at high levels in the body, requires 2 Mg to be detoxed form the body. Interestingly Al, usually as oxide, is used in copious amounts in airborne sundimming processes and antiperspirants  to protect us from UV, global warming and the results of our body detoxing. Maybe we need a lot more Mg these days due to modern living?

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    Cheers
    Cris
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  • 7.  RE: Severe leg cramps

    Posted 09-04-2022 12:40
    Thank you so much for the additional information, Crispin. Given how much I have noticed my diet had changed over the years to more and more heavily processed food. It has given me much "food" for thought. I have made many changes since I was diagnosed with diabetes and I am always looking and researching what I can to assist me in living the best possible life I can in the years I have left. Hopefully, the changes I make will assist me in continuing to live a healthy life well into my senior years.

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    Bruce
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