Pycnogenol for Nocturnal Leg Cramps

I've had diabetes for 15 years (type 1). I used to have severe
nocturnal leg cramps in both legs due to diabetic microangiopathy. My
endocrinologist recommended pycnogenol (30 mg) before bedtime. I've
been taking it for 14 months and I haven't had a cramp since, starting
on the very first night!

Pycnogenol is extracted from French maritime pine bark. It's available
at most health food stores and most supplement sellers online. The
best price I've found for a four month supply (120 capsules) is at
www.puritansale.com for $17.27.

From www.pycnogenol.com:

"Cramps and Muscular Pain in diabetic microangiopathy

Some individuals with diabetic microangiopathy suffer from frequent
episodes of muscle pain and cramps in their legs even after walking
only short distances. The impaired blood supply causes rapid muscle
fatigue and cramping pain.

In a pilot trial with 22 patients with frequent leg cramps and pain
with diagnosed diabetic microangiopathy treatment with Pycnogenol®
dramatically improved symptoms which were significant as compared to
placebo treatment [Vinciguerra et al., 2006]. The average number of
leg cramping episodes in a week decreased from 8.9 to 3 after
treatment with Pycnogenol® for weeks, whereas numbers in the placebo
group decreased from average 9 to 7.8. The assessment of leg muscle
pain by a visual analogue scale revealed a significant decrease by
79.2% in the Pycnogenol® group, whereas pain reduction in the placebo
group was only 15.4%."

I hope this helps.

Regards,
John

P.S. I have not interest, personal or financial, in either website
above.

chief78 <insulinpundit@gmail.com> wrote:
> I've had diabetes for 15 years (type 1). I used to have severe
> nocturnal leg cramps in both legs due to diabetic microangiopathy. My
> endocrinologist recommended pycnogenol (30 mg) before bedtime. I've
> been taking it for 14 months and I haven't had a cramp since, starting
> on the very first night!

I just ordered a bottle from Puritan's Pride, with whom I've done business
before. When I mentioned this to my kid brother, he told me he takes
quinine sulfate 325 mg when he gets leg cramps. I'll ask my Diabetician
about that the next time I see him.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

On Sat, 24 May 2008 14:17:48 -0700 (PDT), chief78
<insulinpundit@gmail.com> wrote:

>I've had diabetes for 15 years (type 1). I used to have severe
>nocturnal leg cramps in both legs due to diabetic microangiopathy. My
>endocrinologist recommended pycnogenol (30 mg) before bedtime. I've
>been taking it for 14 months and I haven't had a cramp since, starting
>on the very first night!
>
>Pycnogenol is extracted from French maritime pine bark. It's available
>at most health food stores and most supplement sellers online. The
>best price I've found for a four month supply (120 capsules) is at
>www.puritansale.com for $17.27.
>
>From www.pycnogenol.com:
>
>"Cramps and Muscular Pain in diabetic microangiopathy
>
>Some individuals with diabetic microangiopathy suffer from frequent
>episodes of muscle pain and cramps in their legs even after walking
>only short distances. The impaired blood supply causes rapid muscle
>fatigue and cramping pain.
>
>In a pilot trial with 22 patients with frequent leg cramps and pain
>with diagnosed diabetic microangiopathy treatment with Pycnogenol®
>dramatically improved symptoms which were significant as compared to
>placebo treatment [Vinciguerra et al., 2006]. The average number of
>leg cramping episodes in a week decreased from 8.9 to 3 after
>treatment with Pycnogenol® for weeks, whereas numbers in the placebo
>group decreased from average 9 to 7.8. The assessment of leg muscle
>pain by a visual analogue scale revealed a significant decrease by
>79.2% in the Pycnogenol® group, whereas pain reduction in the placebo
>group was only 15.4%."
>
>I hope this helps.
>
>Regards,
>John
>
>P.S. I have not interest, personal or financial, in either website
>above.

Thank you. I'll do some investigating.


Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
--
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com

http://loraltravel.blogspot.com
Latest: Bangkok

On 25 May 2008 01:18:47 GMT, Nick Cramer
<n_cramerSPAM@pacbell.net> wrote:

>chief78 <insulinpundit@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I've had diabetes for 15 years (type 1). I used to have severe
>> nocturnal leg cramps in both legs due to diabetic microangiopathy. My
>> endocrinologist recommended pycnogenol (30 mg) before bedtime. I've
>> been taking it for 14 months and I haven't had a cramp since, starting
>> on the very first night!
>
>I just ordered a bottle from Puritan's Pride, with whom I've done business
>before. When I mentioned this to my kid brother, he told me he takes
>quinine sulfate 325 mg when he gets leg cramps. I'll ask my Diabetician
>about that the next time I see him.

I take it, the "bi" version. But be aware of the possible
dangers and discuss them with your doctor:

http://www.tga.gov.au/adr/aadrb/aadr0410.htm#a5
"Quinine indications - cramps deleted

As a consequence of the risk of thrombocytopenia (currently
228 ADRAC reports; 6 fatal),1 quinine is no longer approved
in Australia for the treatment of nocturnal cramps.
Reference http://www.tga.gov.au/adr/aadrb/aadr0208.htm#a2

1. ADRAC. Quinine and profound thrombocytopenia. Aust Adv
Drug Reactions Bull 2002;21:10."

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
--
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com

http://loraltravel.blogspot.com
Latest: Bangkok

I forgot to mention one distinction my endocrinologist made about
taking pycnogenol for nocturnal leg cramps is important (it obviously
doesn't help memory, though). If you usually get up in the middle of
the night to urinate, take the dose afterwards, instead of at bedtime.
Since pycnogenol is water soluble, I assume he was concerned that it
would be eliminated before the cramps occurred.

Regards,
John

chief78 <insulinpundit@gmail.com> wrote:

> I forgot to mention one distinction my endocrinologist made about
> taking pycnogenol for nocturnal leg cramps is important (it obviously
> doesn't help memory, though). If you usually get up in the middle of
> the night to urinate, take the dose afterwards, instead of at bedtime.
> Since pycnogenol is water soluble, I assume he was concerned that it
> would be eliminated before the cramps occurred.

The rate at which water soluble stuff is extracted from the blood by
the kidneys and pushed into the bladder is independent of how full the
bladder is, and once it's been extracted from the blood and pushed
into the bladder it's going to do your legs much good. So whether or
not you have a pee at 3am is not going to make the slightest
difference to the level in your blood at 3:15pm.

--
Chris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

On May 25, 5:29 am, Chris Malcolm <c...@holyrood.ed.ac.uk> wrote:
> chief78 <insulinpun...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I forgot to mention one distinction my endocrinologist made about
> > taking pycnogenol for nocturnal leg cramps is important (it obviously
> > doesn't help memory, though). If you usually get up in the middle of
> > the night to urinate, take the dose afterwards, instead of at bedtime.
> > Since pycnogenol is water soluble, I assume he was concerned that it
> > would be eliminated before the cramps occurred.
>
> The rate at which water soluble stuff is extracted from the blood by
> the kidneys and pushed into the bladder is independent of how full the
> bladder is, and once it's been extracted from the blood and pushed
> into the bladder it's going to do your legs much good. So whether or
> not you have a pee at 3am is not going to make the slightest
> difference to the level in your blood at 3:15pm.
>
> --
> Chris Malcolm c...@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205
> IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
> [http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

Thanks Chris. I found a possible reason at
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/art...artid=1559639:

Depending on various factors, some of the constituents and metabolites
found in pycnogenol reach maximum concentrations in about 5 hours. If
your cramps occur after this 5 hour time frame, then you would benefit
from taking pycnogenol in the middle of the night, assuming you get up
to urinate, etc. Otherwise, taking it at bedtime should suffice, since
these constituents/metabolites in the referenced study were still
present after 14 hours (just not in max concentrations).

My cramps used to occur around 5 hours after going to bed. I take 30
mg at bedtime and I haven't had a problem.

Regards,
John