Leg cramps in a teenager?

bceogirl

bceogirl

Cathlete
Hi guys.

I'm just wondering if any one here has heard of this. My teenaged daugher has started getting pretty severe leg cramps at night. They wake her up and some have left her with sore muscles for a day or two.
I had heard before that it could mean you need more potassium, so I've had her start eating more bananas and baked potatoes....it hasn't made any difference that she has noticed . She has had the cramps almost every night for just over a week. Any ideas? Is this anything serious??
I'm thinking I need to call the doctor but wanted to check here first because there are so many knowlegable people here!!
I did do some research but all I find on the internet is stuff about older people & leg cramps.
Thanks so much!
 
my 8 yr old son complain of his legs hurting him all the time also. His hurts behind his knees though.The Dr told me they where growing pains but he complains everynight all the time. I dont see how they could be growing pain that last so long. But when I was a teen I had bad leg pains at night, prevented me from sleeping but my legs hurt in the shins, opposite of my son. I ended up fine but I remember I had them alot when I was younger. Ask your doctor but he will probably say the same thing,growing pains. goodluck
 
Becky, I had leg and foot cramps as a youngster and teenager. They haven't gone away completely. I still cramp up when I go to bed at night but not has bad as when I was younger. My feet started drawing last night as a matter of fact! My daddy has this also. I'm wonder if it is hereditary. My daughter also had leg cramps and still does. Wouldn't hurt to check it out with your doctor though. Calcium is another mineral that can cause cramps if deficit. With all the calcium-enriched foods/beverages there are now, I seriously doubt this would be the case though.
 
Becky,
I have had them my whole life, and yes, they are hereditary. My Mom has had them her whole life too. We both have flat feet, but I don't know if that's related.

Anyway, you are absolutely right about the potassium. But a banana won't do it. Please buy GNC Calcimate Plus 800 tablets and have her take 2 in the evening before going to bed and she should be fine. If she's not fine, then see a doctor.

Two of the GNC tablets have about 50 mgs. of potassium. But I find that the combination of calcium, potassium, vit. D and magnesium works like a charm.

Please let me know how it goes. I know how awful those cramps can be!

-Nancy

ETA: In case I didn't make it clear, my leg cramps started when I was a teenager too. Hope that makes you feel a bit less worried.
 
Has she started more activity lately? I get leg cramps a few days after I've been running sometimes, particularly when I've done a lot of leg work that week. Just a thought.

You could try giving her a sports drink. Gatorade has the best ratio of sodium, potassium, and chloride. When an athlete comes off the field (or wherever)w/ muscle cramps the first thing a trainer will do is give them a sports drink... I realize that your DD is probably relaxed when her cramps are occuring but it couldn't hurt to try it out.

Another thing might be to try tonic water. My grandmother gets leg cramps and her dr. recommended tonic water for the quanine in it.

Good luck - I hope she finds some relief soon :)
 
Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
She had 2 nights w/o the leg cramps so I thought maybe they went away. But they are back. Nancy I am going to buy the Calcimate today and try it . Also can't hurt to buy some Gaterade and have her drink some of that during the day and see what happens.

I'll let you know if it works.

To answer the question, no she isn't doing more physical activity. She doesn't have gym in school right now and doesn't play sports. It seems the cramps just came on suddenly.

So we'll give this a try. Thanks so much everyone for taking the time to write with ideas! I really appreciate it.:)
 
As a teenager, I too had legs cramps. Was told to cut back on caffeine. Cut back on iced tea and sodas and it seemed to help.
 
dreamyjeanie is correct. Caffeine kills off magnesium. But if she takes the magnesium replacements at bedtime, it will make up for the caffeine. If she can give up the caffeine, then she may not need the supplements. I forgot to mention that.

-Nancy The Leg Cramp Queen
 
Hi Becky,

I would recommend seeing a Dr. to make sure there is nothing serious going on here. Everyone has offered great suggestions.

My sons also suffered through leg cramps and the Dr. diagnosed them as growing pains. I gave them tylenol before bed and that helped.

Diana
 
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