Does anybody else get cramps in their calf muscles at night?

[GoodFairies]

Originally posted by Micca
For me the only way to get rid of them is to "walk it off". This is especially disconcerting in the middle of the night when you are sound asleep and the cramp comes...and you have to bolt out of bed and start pacing up and down the hallway. Then, less than a minute later, the cramp is gone, and you go back to bed with your heart racing

Me too. I never get out of bed faster than I do when I get one of those cramps. I jump up and start walking around until it goes away. A little inconvenient, but so much better than laying there while it paralyzes you with pain.

 

[Saffron]

Wow, I truly didn't think anyone would know what I was talking about! And yes, GoodFairies, it really is paralyzing pain, you said it exactly right! It was awful this morning!

Okay ... drink more water, eat more bananas (postassium), walk them off immediately! Got it!

Thanks again everybody!

 

[Pin Wizard]

I had them for a while. A cardiologist suggested I had the A/C too cold in the house. Could very well be! I like the house coooooool!

 

[doxdogy]

I get toe cramps instead of calf cramps. I know it is low level of potassium that is causing the cramps. I hate bananas and I forget to take the darn pills.

 

[Jeafl]

I get them a lot from dehydration. I'm really bad about drinking enough liquids.

My doctor told me that 4 oz. of tonic water before bed every night would help. (It contains quinine). It seems to have worked for me so far.

 

[Saffron]

Thanks again you guys!

Four ozs of tonic water before bed, I might as well try it, it can't hurt! But I don't know what it will do to my stomach. Bleh, that stuff is awful!

Why can't it be four ozs of Bailey's and chocolate milk or something.

 

[Serena]

I get this too sometimes, but bananas do help. I'll have to drink more water though.

 

[Pembo]

I had them when I was pregnant. I'd just bend my knee and put pressure on that foot, after a few minutes the cramp would go away. Oh, the pain.......

 

[Dan Murphy]

Nyquil

 

[Poohbear123]

Nyquil?? What about it?

 

[Saffron]

Hahahaha! I was just reading the thread again and saw that I wrote this:

I'll definitely try it if the potassium and water don't remedy the situation!

Sounds like I've already hit the Nyquil, Dan!

 

[powellrj]

Originally posted by Feralpeg
I've had them all my life. I try to eat a lot of bananas, but I still get them sometimes. When you feel the cramp start, grab your toes and pull them toward you (bend them the wrong way). I know it sounds silly, but it will often stop the cramp.

I know the toe pulling sounds wacky, but it really works!! I use to get leg cramps all the time and read about pulling your toes towards you, and it really stops them before they get really painful. I have done it for so many years, I don't have to pull my toes anymore, I just bend my foot backwards and that works too!!

 

[Pop Daddy]

no

 

[Micca]

Banana's might be pretty good with Bailey's and cream. I'll be the guinea pig

 

[Saffron]

ROTFLOL! Excellent idea Micca!

 

[Kitty 34]

I get them now and then, Maggie. Wakes me out of a nice sleep sometimes!! I try to drink tons of water.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

I have really bad leg cramps.I tried an OTC medicine called Leg cramps and it workswonders.I get it at Walmart on the vitamin aisle.It is in a little bottle.Cant hurt to try it,its like 3.00or 4.00 dollars.

 

[cvemom]

Originally posted by sjh801
Tina,
Your granny must have listened to Bob Logue and his all night radio show in Pittsburgh - KDKA 1020 AM. Bob Logue is famous for that remedy! http://www.kdkaradio.com

I was just going to say the same thing ! Imagine that

 

[Doc and Family]

Saffron,

It is usually a lack of potassium, as you have read, or a build up of lactic acid, caused by relative dehydration.

If you want to use bananas as a remedy, you will need to eat about 4 or 5 a day (there is medical literature on this).

If the above suggestions don't help, call your doctor.
(S)he (dont want to be sexist) can prescribe some potassium supplements or quinine--which some of my patients swear by.

The role of magnesium is a physiological one--potassium can be transported by the cells to the area where it is needed without a proper level of magnesium in the blood.

One last suggestion is to try a brief stretching routine after you strenuous activity--a physical therapist I know recommends this also.

Good Luck.

 

[Saffron]

luvindisneyworld ... I wonder if what you're taking is some sort of postassium supplement? Three or four dollars is a great price for pain relief, that's for sure, huh?

Thanks Doc! I really do think it's dehydration. I was surprised at the length of time my muscles stayed cramped! They are still sore! That was just awful. I think I'd rather take the potassium in pill form than try to eat that many bananas in a day! I mean I like bananas, but that could get old real quick.


Thank you again everybody! I guess I'll have a banana for dessert tonight!