Leg cramps help

[wishesuponastar]

I've heard that if you put a bar of soap (Ivory was suggested) in your bed it will stop the cramps from happening. Also, if you are awake and get a cramp, tape a bar of soap to your leg and it will help you right away.

 

[katman2540]

My grandmother keeps a bar of ivory in her bed for just this reason. She just started doing it because she started getting bad cramps. She says that is has worked.

 

[Marionnette]

I would love to see some kind of scientific proof that supports this. Sounds like an old wives' tale to me.

 

[Lilo&Stitch]

The soap trick never worked for me, the only thing that worked was getting up and walking around

 

[pigletto]

If you are having leg cramps when sleeping it is most likely due to a vitamin deficiency or fluid imbalance. A visit to a health professional is the best course of action.

 

[MaleficentRN]

If you are having leg cramps when sleeping it is most likely due to a vitamin deficiency or fluid imbalance. A visit to a health professional is the best course of action.

Yeah, that's a new one to me. I agree that you should see a doctor. You may be dehydrated or need potassium. A bar of soap taped to your leg won't help that.

 

[swilshire]

My Daddy, born in 1913, always said you needed to eat more salt if you had cramps. Guess that's not very good advice now that everybody is trying to cut salt.

I would call the nurse associated with my doctor or the local Ask-A-Nurse line. Our insurance has a toll free number you can call with medical questions.

As mentioned above, they may suggest tests to see if you need to add a particular vitamin to your diet.

Sheila

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

My DMIL has been absolutely PLAGUED by leg cramps for years. She's had them so bad that we've had to call an ambulance for her to get her to the ER. She has seen many doctors and tried a million different medications, treatments, potential solutions, etc. The only thing that has helped is drinking tonic water. She buys the liter sized bottles of plain tonic water at Target and drinks one a day. The tonic water contains quinine that helps prevent the leg cramps. That being said, if she gets overly tired or overdoes it during a day, the cramps will still hit her at night. Then she gets in the jacuzzi or uses an electric massager to calm them.

 

[nettekay]

eating a banana will help as well. usually leg cramps mean you need more potassiam. Since I started making sure I eat at least 1 banana a week ine have almost disappeared

 

[Lilo&Stitch]

My DMIL has been absolutely PLAGUED by leg cramps for years. She's had them so bad that we've had to call an ambulance for her to get her to the ER. She has seen many doctors and tried a million different medications, treatments, potential solutions, etc. The only thing that has helped is drinking tonic water. She buys the liter sized bottles of plain tonic water at Target and drinks one a day. The tonic water contains quinine that helps prevent the leg cramps. That being said, if she gets overly tired or overdoes it during a day, the cramps will still hit her at night. Then she gets in the jacuzzi or uses an electric massager to calm them.

good tip about the tonic water, I am going to try that ! i have had leg cramps for years also and have been on different meds that have only slightly hepled


As far as everyone saying vitamin deficiency and potassium etc... that was never the case for ME, and really OP you should see your doctor for solutions if it persists

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Like others mentioned, you need to see a health care professional. Using a bar of ivory soap might be a budget way to deal with it but it doesn't seem like it would be the wisest course of action (or budget in the long run particularly if the cramps are related to a health issue)

 

[Coll0610]

I agree that you should check with a doctor, but if there is no medical cause, what harm will the bar of soap do? It doesn't make any sense and there seems to be no scientific reason but I know several people it has worked for.

 

[dumbocutie]

I had terrible leg cramps. Talked to my doctor he said both the Thyroid medicine and cholesteral medicine I take had muscle cramps as a side effect.

He told me to start taking Co Q 10 a supplement you get at Walmart and such worked like a charm. Have to play around with the dosage some people need more or less depending on their situation.

I do not suffer from leg cramps any more.

 

[malibuconlee]

My DMIL has been absolutely PLAGUED by leg cramps for years. She's had them so bad that we've had to call an ambulance for her to get her to the ER. She has seen many doctors and tried a million different medications, treatments, potential solutions, etc. The only thing that has helped is drinking tonic water. She buys the liter sized bottles of plain tonic water at Target and drinks one a day. The tonic water contains quinine that helps prevent the leg cramps. That being said, if she gets overly tired or overdoes it during a day, the cramps will still hit her at night. Then she gets in the jacuzzi or uses an electric massager to calm them.

My FIl does the same thing.

 

[mrsklamc]

I know several people it has worked for.

Must be psychosomatic.

 

[bedogged]

I have suffered with terrible leg and foot cramps. Do see your doctor. I have to take potassium and keep well hydrated. What has helped me the most, almost rid me of them altogether, is stretching exercises. I started going to the gym and hired a trainer. She is great about working with me to reduce pain and health problems. She has me do exercises that stretch the hamstring. Now, I hardly have them anymore. If I do feel one coming on, all I have to do is pull my foot forward toward the body and it stops the cramp. It is a real blessing!

 

[LSchrow]

ditto on the tonic water (bananas didn't help me).
it takes away the cramps quickly too

 

[Sandy61]

I have suffered with terrible leg and foot cramps. Do see your doctor. I have to take potassium and keep well hydrated. What has helped me the most, almost rid me of them altogether, is stretching exercises. I started going to the gym and hired a trainer. She is great about working with me to reduce pain and health problems. She has me do exercises that stretch the hamstring. Now, I hardly have them anymore. If I do feel one coming on, all I have to do is pull my foot forward toward the body and it stops the cramp. It is a real blessing!

I hardly ever get leg cramps but when I do I also pull my toes upward toward my body and the cramp loosens.

 

[erincon23]

About the soap thing -- for many years, there was a syndicated column in the newspaper called "Ask Dr. Gott." He published the soap trick, saying there was no scientific evidence on why it worked, and he had no theory on why it worked, but that enough people had told him it worked for him to believe. I think he said it was his most-commented-on suggestion. My parents have been using this for years, and when I started to get this -- well, it's not actually cramps, more like restless leg -- I tried it too, and it does work! Just put the bar down at the bottom of your bed, under the top sheet, and when you start to have the restless legs again, several weeks later, change the bar to another new bar (and I leave it in the box so it doesn't make a mess on the sheets). My DS16 does this too. It can be ANY type of soap -- I use DH's Irish Spring, but I've used the mini hotel bars, Olay, just about anything .I even do this at hotels! If it works, it works. It's cheap, has no side effects, and is very easy.

 

[POOHsie]

My late DH took prescription quinine pills for leg cramps. Later, the Dr replaced the pills with something else, can't remember what. Dr. said the quinine was old-medicine, and this new medicine was better for him and for the condition.

OT, an old neighbor lady called me today. I told her I had a bad cough. She told me to make a piece of toast, butter it, then spread thinly-sliced raw garlic all over it and eat it. Said it would help kill the cough germs. Right!