Can anything be done about my leg cramps? DR ELLIE has the answer

Can anything be done about my leg cramps? DR ELLIE has the answer,

I’ve suffered from terrible calf cramps during the night for most of my adult life. No doctor has ever been able to help. How can I fix this problem?

Dr Ellie replies: This could be due to a vitamin deficiency – but such leg pains are surprisingly common and it is often unclear what causes them.

They occur when the muscle in the calf involuntarily contracts, sending pain down the leg. The sensation can last for minutes and the calf may ache afterwards.

Unsurprisingly, calf cramps can lead to poor sleep.

The problem typically becomes more common later in life and is often linked to dehydration or muscle fatigue – for example, from too much walking. However, in some cases it can be due to B vitamins or D deficiency.

B vitamins are found in whole grains, meat, eggs and leafy greens. Vitamin D is primarily gained from sunlight and, in smaller amounts, oily fish.

A GP can run blood tests to see if a vitamin deficiency is to blame. If this is the case, then taking supplements or an improved diet can often ease the symptoms.

Some people find that taking magnesium helps with leg cramps. In some cases, GPs may prescribe quinine tablets, but these can have worrying side effects, including heart problems, so should be taken only if it works and the cramps are severe.

Rarely, muscle cramps can be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis

Rarely, muscle cramps can be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, but these neurological conditions tend to trigger other symptoms – such as muscle weakness, stiffness or spasms. These neurological conditions are progressive, meaning symptoms get worse over time. So an issue that has lasted years without becoming more severe is unlikely to be one of these diseases.

I lost 7 stone 12 lb (50kg) on Mounjaro and my diabetes is now in remission. My GP says that I should now stop taking metformin, but I’ve heard it’s good for you. What should I do?

Dr Ellie replies: Metformin is prescribed to help bring down dangerously high blood sugar levels, lowering the risk of serious diabetes complications such as heart attacks, organ damage and sight loss. But it does not offer meaningful health benefits once diabetes is in remission.

Lately, metformin has been touted by health influencers as a wonder drug that can lower heart disease risk, cancer and even extend life. But there is no strong evidence for this – once blood sugar levels return to a healthy range, metformin’s benefits are negligible.

There are also health risks to taking metformin. It can lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency – a crucial nutrient for nerve and brain function – as well as stomach issues.

Mounjaro – the weight-loss drug – was designed as a diabetes treatment, so it also keeps blood sugar levels down.

But the appetite-suppressing aspect only tends to work as long as patients keep taking it. Most users in the UK pay for it, rather than being prescribed by the NHS, so long-term use can be expensive. Crucially, patients who come off the jabs report their appetite returns with a vengeance, they regain weight and blood sugar spikes again.

In this scenario, rather than returning to metformin, a more sustainable answer is to make lifestyle changes before coming off Mounjaro. These include limiting consumption of refined carbohydrates – such as white bread, pasta and rice, as well as sugary drinks, pastries and snacks – and taking part in regular, moderate exercise.

My neck has been tight on the right side for more than a decade. It clicks whenever I tilt my head to the left, and I find that I hunch that shoulder more. Sometimes there’s a dull ache. What could be the problem?

Dr Ellie replies: Long-standing one-sided neck tightness could be due to a condition called torticollis, also known as cervical dystonia. This is where the neck muscles contract involuntarily, pulling the head into an abnormal position and sometimes causing clicking or stiffness.

Symptoms often include persistent tightness, altered posture such as a raised shoulder, and a dull ache. Over time this can affect surrounding areas, leading to shoulder discomfort or headaches.

The most likely cause in long-term cases is a chronic muscle injury or previous strain, rather than serious disease.

Poor posture over many years is a common contributor.

Physiotherapy is the main treatment, focusing on stretching tight muscles, strengthening weaker ones and improving posture. Targeted exercises can reduce discomfort and improve movement. A GP may prescribe pain relief drugs or muscle relaxants.

In severe cases, a referral for injections of botulinum toxin – more commonly known as Botox – can help reduce the muscle overactivity. Less commonly, symptoms may follow an injury such as whiplash or be related to structural changes in the neck.

X-rays or MRI scans may be needed to get a clearer view of what is happening if symptoms worsen or fail to improve.

Could weight-loss jabs beat alcoholism?

A major study found that alcoholics taking weight-loss jabs cut their drinking significantly

Researchers may have found a solution to Britain’s excessive drinking problem – weight-loss injections.

Last month, this newspaper detailed how some patients on these drugs, Mounjaro and Wegovy, were finding that they were getting far more intoxicated than expected.

However, new findings suggest the jabs may also help combat problem drinking.

A major study, published last week, concluded that alcoholics taking weight-loss jabs such as Mounjaro and Wegovy saw a big reduction in the amount of booze they consumed. The findings could be the first step towards these injections being used specifically to treat alcoholism.

Did you find that you drank less alcohol after beginning weight-loss jabs? Please write in and let me know.

You might have whooping cough!

It’s possible that many people who are suffering with never-ending coughs may actually have an undiagnosed bacterial infection.

Long-lasting coughs are a common issue for GPs – even in the spring and summer when cases of colds and flu die down. Often, a cough can be triggered by something other than an infection, such as hay fever or an inflamed sinus condition called sinusitis.

But new NHS data suggests there could be another cause: whooping cough. Cases in England have risen by 1,400 per cent in recent years – and many infections are occurring in adults. Crucially, in children it triggers an easily identified ‘whoop’ sound. In adults, though, the cough can often be mild – though annoying.

Do you have a cough that hasn’t budged? Do you suspect it might be whooping cough?

Please contact me via my email address: DrEllie@mailonsunday.co.uk