Leg Cramps in Hamstrings are Debilitating

By crescendo

1 min read

My husband was diagnosed with PD 10 years ago. In the last year, he has gotten cramps in his legs about 5 times a day. We do not know if it is a side effect of Carbidopa/Levidopa. All his lab reports are otherwise normal. He is not lacking magnesium or potassium. His neurologist said that he has never seen this before in Parkinson’s patients.

Has anyone else been bothered by cramps in their thighs? If so, what was the diagnosis?

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The ParkinsonsDisease.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

stella0412 Member
My dad is stage 4 right now and we just started the same medication up again about 3-4 months ago and he has been complaining for weeks now that his upper thighs hurt real bad. It sounds the same as your problem! I didn’t know that could be a side affect..
vascdoc Member
many of us have gi problems and use anacids Tagamet etc. this removes the stomach ability to produce acid . wecan not absorb iron and b vitamins.. over years our levels are low. this causes restless legs and numbness and severe leg cramps. I have tried plain mustard 2 tablespoons .ben gay can help. ropinirole works great.but restore your iron
1. beff Member
 Thank you
farmerdave Member
I have had leg cramps for years .MY move pd dr.adjusted meds.and started me on iron meds. twice a day .She felt iron level increase would help.Please talk to your dr. It stopped leg cramps.When you take iron 2 hour window on each side of pd.meds. Lots of luck no self medication.
Michl Member
I was diagnosed a year ago but figure I’ve had early onset for a few years. It started with pains in my hands then the shaking. I had pains in my arms and legs that were a mystery. But the acting out dreams and very difficult to get to sleep at night. But the hand shaking got so bad it was hard to do anything. I had to insist to see a neurologist. MD’s just don’t refer easily. Of course Covid prevented me from an in-office so it took a few more months before I could see the neurologist face to face, by then I got had gotten even worse. She ran me through all the physical tests and said I’m sorry this diagnosis was so delayed but it’s early onset Parkinson. At 57 at first I was in shock but it all made sense now. It took a couple of months to accept what my life would be. I try to challenge my self but Parky seems to fight back. I have learned to stay relaxed, try to stay positive and keep moving. I am on Carbidopa/Levadopa, but for pain Gabapentin and a pain med for break through pains. Melatonin helps get you sleepy but no sugar or caffeine in the evening. I challenged myself and sprained my ankle a few months ago, still trying to heal up. Parky likes to complicate life but just keep a smile on your face and move the muscles you can. Get a massage for those tight muscles!
1. Marc Mitnick Member
 Thank you for your comment, Michl. I am sorry that you PD at a young age.Covid-19 confounded the problem of seeing a movement disordered neurologist in person. That must have been frustrating as well. It is important to stay positive. Keep us that positive attitude! Best, Marc M., Moderator, <a href='https://parkinsonsdisease.net' target='_blank'>parkinsonsdisease.net</a>
2. Suzanne Troy Member
 <inline-mention username="Michl" user-id="4208300"/> Hello, I see that Marc Mitnick reached out to you too to give you support! We all try to give some positive spin so that we can make your life easier! Here is an article that I thought might add to your tool box: https://parkinsonsdisease.net/living/motor-related-symptoms FYI, if you go to the search icon at the top of our website you can search many wonderful articles by our own advocates that have PD themselves. Just search by a topic and you will get some great ideas! All the best, Suzanne Troy, <a href='https://parkinsonsdisease.net' target='_blank'>ParkinsonsDisease.net</a> team member