7 replies to this topic

[corinne]

I am a c-456 quad for 12 years and experiencing leg cramps and pain on my right leg only while laying down or sitting in the wheelchair. This started maybe 2 or 3 months ago. Does anyone know how to get rid of the cramps and pain?

[wheeliebear75]

I get my B/F to rub my legs until the cramps are gone. You may want to make sure you're getting enough potassium as cramping muscles can be a sign of too little. Sorry couldn't be of more help.

[gsp23]

I get the same thing in my right leg only as well. The only thing I have found that helps a little bit is to put pressure on it by wrapping it. Using an ace bandage will do the trick but because I cant feel the pressure then this isnt the best for long term use. I get a lot of cramping in my calves but I get this really shart pain beyond that in my right quad, my docs told me to get a quad cuff for my leg as you order based on quad size and you dont run the risk over-tigtening like with an ace bandage and then its safe to leave that on all day if need be.

[Rawhide]

gsp23, on Sep 7 2007, 06:03 PM, said:

I get the same thing in my right leg only as well. The only thing I have found that helps a little bit is to put pressure on it by wrapping it. Using an ace bandage will do the trick but because I cant feel the pressure then this isnt the best for long term use. I get a lot of cramping in my calves but I get this really shart pain beyond that in my right quad, my docs told me to get a quad cuff for my leg as you order based on quad size and you dont run the risk over-tigtening like with an ace bandage and then its safe to leave that on all day if need be.

Hi,
I was jus reading your response. What is a quad cuff? I tried to find a image of one on Google and was not successful. Am am a paraplegic and am also experiencing pain in my leg when I lie down.
Thank you.
Phil

[Cheshire]

I'm assuming in this case that "quad" is referring to quadricep...muscles in front part of upper leg. yes? no?

[dave420atya]

I also get extremely bad pains in my right quad . I have found that 300mg of lyrica usually takes care of most of my nerve pain. I was miserable until I tried this dosage. I was on 150mg and it did nothing for me. I doubled my dosage after reading a post were someone else was on a high dose and found relief. Neurontin is crap compared to lyrica. I highly recomend it to any one who suffers from those bad stabbing cramping pains. For the first time in years I am almost pain free! It is incredible how much the pain had dragged me down. Try it if you get a chance it's great!

[gsp23]

Yes quad stands for quadriceps and a quad cuff is a compression cuff for that area of your leg. Personally I found no amount of medication would take care of these pains some times, I am taking Neurontin on a high dosage currently of 3600mg /day and it does a great job with my nerve pain but that one leg just is beyond anything that meds have been able to manage.

Anyways, that being said... There are a lot of different companies that make quad cuffs but the best one I found is made by BioSkin with the strap BioSkin Quad Cuff. The one without the strap just does straight compression but the one with the strap offers an additional level where you can put extra pressure on a certain area, sometimes putting pressure a bit higher up helps with pain in a lower area so best to start with the extra pressure higher up. I spoke with my newest doctor (Physiatrist) and he agrees with what the neuros and PT had told me before of using the cuff to help with that additional pain. They have all told me that there wont be any additional damage, etc or risks associated with using the cuff, short term give an ace bandage a try for a day or so to see if the compression will help and if it does then I would suggest getting a cuff, just make sure to get the correct size... too large wont compress as well and too small obviously isnt going to fit. So measure a couple different times with your leg in different positions (ie sitting in your chair, sitting on a couch with legs down, sitting on a couch or bed with legs up).

Good Luck!

[john S.]

corinne, on Aug 29 2007, 10:42 PM, said:

I am a c-456 quad for 12 years and experiencing leg cramps and pain on my right leg only while laying down or sitting in the wheelchair. This started maybe 2 or 3 months ago. Does anyone know how to get rid of the cramps and pain?

Try eating a banana?

lack of potassium usually causes cramps.