Leg cramps at night

[Deidre]

My aunt and grandma have always said to eat a banana to fight off cramps (for the potassium). I don't know how much potassium. Is actually in a banana, but it seems to work for them.

[Jacafamala]

Tim, about six months ago I was suffering from severe leg pains and they were extremely painful. At first the doctor thought it was shin splints then he thought it was sciatica, but then a physical therapist determined it was adhesions in a muscle in my calve--this happened from an injury. I had to really think about what I had done to cause this to have happened, because I'd completely forgotten that  I'd really whacked my calve on a cooler while packing up some food for a vacation. It hurt like heck at the time, left a nasty bruise, and obviously it didn't heal correctly. The PT gave me some exercises to do, then he'd rub the back of my calve (which hurt like crazy). After a few weeks worth of sessions, the pain was completely gone.


In all likelihood, your injury could be something different, but think really hard... Did you sustain an injury to your calve a few weeks ago maybe?

[Grasshopper]

This might be way off your mark, but my leg cramps happen when I stretch in my sleep. I end up either pointing my toes away from or towards myself (I'm not sure which)... anyway...the only remedy for me has been to quickly point my toes in the other direction.. It takes the pain away immediately. Did that make sense?

I get this same type of leg cramp with my toes pointing down/away. Like you say, turning them the other way helps. but I find it nearly impossible to do that during the cramp. The only way I can get them to turn the other way is to get out of bed, stand up, and use my body weight to bend my foot up. This manouvre can be "interesting", especially in winter when I'm under a blanket, and even more especially when both legs cramp up at the same time, which happens occasionally.

[kingdaughter]

I got sudden very painful leg cramps at night while pregnant. The only thing that seemed to keep them away was drinking tonic water, which was recommended to me by a nurse.

[PeterII]

We were told in the army that leg cramps were a result of dehydration, and experience proved it to be true.  Just drink a lot more water, especially if you are on the heavier side. 

[Tim]

Thanks everyone, good advice all.

tim

[Grasshopper]

We were told in the army that leg cramps were a result of dehydration, and experience proved it to be true.  Just drink a lot more water, especially if you are on the heavier side. 

I already have to get up several times each night (4 or 5 times on a bad night) to use the bathroom (as well as waking up with cramps). If I drank more water, I would never get to sleep at all!

This reminds me of Rick Wakeman's hangover cure: "Drink two gallons of water before going to bed." Assuming you could even do that, how would you ever get to sleep?

[Tim]

Ah, grasshopper you have hit the nail on the head. The sporadic sleep alone makes for a challenging next day, forget the wizzing problem, and the cramps, compounded for me by my vertigo, and shallow breathing with the cpap. At least my cotton mouth has stopped my drooling at night. hehehe

tim 

[Kopp]

I' ve often recommended calcium supplements for patients with leg cramps. It often works literally "overnight." Calcium seems to be low more often than potassium. If that doesn't work, try Gatorade, for a balance of electrolytes. Of course, consult your doctor before taking the advice of any quack on the internet.

[Tulkas]

I used to have leg cramps every night since I was a teenager.  I just take a dose of OTC Calcium Citrate at dinner every night.  I do not have them any longer.

When I run out, or miss a day, it will come back.