Are leg cramps a symptom of neuropathy?

denisekaren19

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi, my husband has had type 2 diabetes for 8 years and is now on Metformin, Gliclazide and Alogliptin. He has also, to complicate my question, had spinal surgery. Recently when lying in bed he wakes up with terrible leg cramps. He has no numbness in his feet but some tingling. Are these symptoms of neuropathy please?
 
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Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
They can be a symptom of several things. (Potassium deficiency, salt deficiency, magnesium deficiency, and other things.) The tingling in his feet does sound like neuropathy though.
 
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Chocomin

Member
Messages
20
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Leg cramps were the main symptom of my herniated discs, so he may also want to talk to his physio/surgeon
 
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bangkokdiabetic

Well-Known Member
Messages
409
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Symptoms are just that and you should talk to you Doctor Who has the difficult job of interpreting tem as people have said yes it may be diabetes but it could also could be numerous other things. This forum is often critical of doctors but they have to go through a series of tests designed to eliminate things it could be till they are left with what it is. I am sure people would be critical of a Doctor who Jumped to the wrong conclusion and gave you Medicine that made things worse. This forum is in my opinion a very useful for giving advice when you have been diagnosed But the actual Diagnosis should be done by someone Trained to do So Your Gp or a specialist/consultant Be Patient it takes time to Diagnose .
 

spaceman

Well-Known Member
Messages
266
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Symptoms are just that and you should talk to you Doctor Who has the difficult job of interpreting tem as people have said yes it may be diabetes but it could also could be numerous other things. This forum is often critical of doctors but they have to go through a series of tests designed to eliminate things it could be till they are left with what it is. I am sure people would be critical of a Doctor who Jumped to the wrong conclusion and gave you Medicine that made things worse. This forum is in my opinion a very useful for giving advice when you have been diagnosed But the actual Diagnosis should be done by someone Trained to do So Your Gp or a specialist/consultant Be Patient it takes time to Diagnose .
SALT if i have salt on food , causes bad cramp in my legs and feet.
 

Grateful

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,398
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I had serious night-time leg cramps for years, prior to my Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis nearly one year ago. The leg cramps largely went away after I went on a low-carb diet after the diagnosis (February 1, 2017). However I am not at all convinced there was any link between the leg cramps and diabetes. After the diagnosis I greatly increased my amount of exercise (adding at least 3 miles of fast walking per day) and I attribute the huge improvement in leg cramps to the exercise. But: Who knows?

Concerning potassium: I was eating at least one banana per day before the T2 diagnosis, but it did not "solve" the leg cramps.
 

Incyb

Well-Known Member
Messages
109
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I was getting these a lot and someone suggested hefty magnesium supplements. It worked like a miracle for me!
 
K

Katie Pod

Guest
Denise,
I doubt if this is to do with neuropathy which usually manifests in the fingers/toes.
It could be related to his spinal surgery or it could be vascular insufficiency (poor circulation). Either way you need to see the GP as soon as possible.