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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffMake an appointment with your doctor if you have muscle cramps that are severe, frequent and not getting better with self-care.
When you see your doctor, bring a list of your key medical information, including any allergies or medical conditions, and the names of all the medications, vitamins and supplements you're taking.
Your doctor is likely to ask a number of questions to help determine if you should have any tests or see a specialist. To make the most of your appointment, consider in advance your answers to the following:
- When did you first develop cramps?
- How frequent and severe are your cramps?
- Does anything typically precede your cramps, such as mild to strenuous exercise?
- Do you ever develop cramps while you're resting?
- Does stretching relieve your cramps?
- Do you have any other symptoms, including any muscle weakness, pain, or the sensation that a foot, hand or limb has fallen asleep?
- Do any of your close blood relatives have a history of muscle cramps?
- Have you noticed any changes in your urine after exercise?
- Do you use any recreational or sports-enhancement drugs?
- Muscle cramp. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00200. Accessed May 4, 2010.
- Sheon RP. Nocturnal leg cramps, night starts, and nocturnal myoclonus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 4, 2010.
- Schwellnus MP. Muscle cramping in athletes — Risk factors, clinical assessment, and management. Clinics in Sports Medicine. 2008;27:183.
- Katzberg HD. Assessment: Symptomatic treatment for muscle cramps (an evidence-based review). Neurology. 2010;74:691.
- Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 11, 2010.
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