Leg and Foot Cramps

Anyone got any remedies for the most horrendously painful leg and foot cramps that wake me up three or four times a night. I know bananas help - potassium shortage - also Calcium/Magnesium tablets. Used to be able to buy Iodine capsules over the counter, but now they're prescription only. They really helped.

Sleepless.......

I'm sure there could be medical reasons for it, but when I was having really bad cramps in my calves (to the point my leg was sore the next day), I made a conscious effort to drink more water and that helped tremendously. Most people (Americans at least) are chronically dehydrated. Even if you think you're drinking enough you're probably not.

Poor thing! I get those cramps once in a while. If I were you, I would try to find out the cause first. Are you taking diuretics or are you on any hormones or some other regular medication? Anyway, my doctor prescribed a teaspoonful of NoSalt mixed in a glass of water to get the potassium back when I take diuretics. Just add some lemon or hold your nose to swallow it if the taste bothers you. You can take a mineral supplement to get the calcium, magnesium and zinc, but it is really hard to get enough potassium in a vitamin or mineral pill. Most contain miniscule amounts. I almost never use regular salt on my food, but do use the NoSalt for food as well, even when I haven't taken a diuretic, just to try to keep up on the potassium. Some people don't like the taste, but it is better than those agonizing leg cramps! :(

If you have hypertension and you are taking diuretics as Patricia said, that might be a reason for your cramps. But you have to go see a doctor so that he can examine you, too, because what you are having is definitely not usual, not so many episodes!

Eating bananas because of the Potassium never does any harm to you, so continue to do so, but I would feel better if you got this checked with a physical examination. By the way, you may try to have those sports drinks while waiting.

Maria's post made me think that I should clarify that I don't have hypertension (yet!). I take diuretics occasionally when I get swollen up for some reason that no doctor has been able to discover yet. Sometimes, heat makes it worse. It is probably just a hormonal thing. But, you should really go to the doctor as our Ageless doctor Maria advises. We are so lucky to have her. Merci, cherie!

:D Aww Patricia.... that is very sweet, merci!


where is that blushing smiley???

I agree about drinking more water!!
People just do not realize how important
water is to the human body!!

I drink 8 to 10 BIG glasses a day-
at least and in the warmer months-
it is much more than that.

I have never had a bladder infection
and I rarely get headaches.
Both of these are oftentimes caused
from dehydration.
Not to mention that my skin
is very soft and smooth
and I have no wrinkles yet.

I have heard that dehydration can also cause
foot and other muscle cramps-
another problem that I rarely experience.

My Mother was having terrible problems with
foot and calf cramps when she slept.
She is another heavy water-drinker and she did
up her water intake, but still had cramps.

A friend of hers suggested that she
try wearing cotton socks to bed to stop the cramping.
We both thought it was a very strange suggestion-
but my Mother was willing to try anything.
Well, it worked!
And to this day,
she wears her cotton socks to bed and
no longer has troubles with foot and calf cramping.

I have no idea as to why
this works for my Mother- but it does!!

Can't believe I wrote Iodine. I meant Quinine(sp?) It's an igredient in tonic water, and a medicine used to treat Malaria. Hey ho. My blood pressure is perfectly in the 'normal' range with no hint of hypertension...I drink water all day long. Doctor suggests 600 mg. of Calcium/Magnesium a day.

Thanks everyone!

Gillian

Gillian....do you exercise strenuously...? When I was teaching a lot of aerobic classes and didnt take time to stretch...drink enough etc. The build up of lactic acid made me JUMP from bed some nights? Just a thought? I did find the increase in folic acid i took during my pregnancies to help=)....an article that u may or may not have read:

http://www.jrussellshealth.com/cramps.html

Gillian,

After having taking a prescribed diuretic and fat burner, both of which have a side effect of massive cramps in every part of my body (legs and calves being the worst), I was adviced to increase my intake of water and some sort of sport drink for enzymes.

A female bodybuilder also suggested Pedialyte for an increase in potassium.