lower leg cramps

[Gibbee]

My husband gets lower leg cramps (mostly in the calves) or charley horses so bad that his feet go numb. They mostly occur at night. DO you have any ideas on what we can try? I've thought of magnesium and potassium supplementation (i.e. bananas, etc.) but anything else out there? Sometimes they're so severe his foot points straight out (like a ballerina doing pointe) and he can't get the foot flat to stretch out. Any ideas?

 

[vbk2146s]

Hi,I have the same problem with night-time leg and foot cramps. Along with magnesium, I've read calcium supplements and water deficientcy can cause leg cramps. I take all these supplements and drink a ton of water and still get them, but I noticed recently they are more frequently after a hard workout, like hard aerobics on the legs or weights. I am paying more attention to stretching longer lately and it is somewhat better. Probably over-working lower body muscles. Just some thoughts....Val

 

[sueter]

I posted over on VF about the same cramping problem that I've been having and got similiar responses -- potassium, calcium, and adequate water. They've gotten better, but whether they would have normally or not I don't know.

Good luck,
Sueter

 

[ColleenM]

My husband used to suffer from severe leg cramps at night. This is what I've started him on after doing some research on the internet:

500 mg Calcium Citrate up to 1000 mg (that contains Vit D or drink with milk)
500 mg Magnesium (250 mg) twice a day not magnesium oxide (2nd dose at bedtime) – if don’t see relief in 3-5 days increase to 500 mg 2 x per day
99 mg Potassium once a day (you do NOT want to take more than 1 a day)
400-800 IU Vitamin E

Bilberry 80 mg 3 times/day for a few months and can continue indefinitely
Gingko 60 mg 3 times/day

He also takes a regular multi-vitamin and Vitamin C. The 'forms' of Calcium and Magnesium are what to look for. Calcium carbonate is what most companies sell and it does not work as well; it is also much cheaper. You want Calcium Citrate. Magnesium is hard to find that is not magnesium oxide, but keep looking. You want the other form (the name escapes me at the moment).

Colleen

 

[Alexis52]

I get severe lower leg cramps during certain weeks of the month that can have me hopping out of bed 2-4 times a night for several days. The calcium/magnesium is recommended for night cramping; the potassium for daytime cramping. The cal/mag has helped me sometimes, and sometimes not. My own home remedy that works like a charm every times is 2 Advil and wet heat! Another one that works well but is stinky is 2 Advil and Vicks Vaporub on the cramped muscle. That's my two cents. Cheryl

 

[Gibbee]

Thanks for the replies. I've encouraged bananas for potassium and also calcium and magnesium but he doesn't get much relief. We've tried advil (works sometimes but not all night) and bextra (worked for a while but not any more). He has also tried Tylenol arthritis formula and another one (was it Bufferin with a sleep aid???)... he won't go to the doctor (naturally) so I might run by the health food store and see if they have any of the calcium / magnesium in the forms mentioned above.

Again, I appreciate the responses... we're at a standstill and I can't stand seeing him not sleep. I get foot craps occasionally myself (day and night) but it's usually exercise-related. Even so, they're crippling, painful and annoying.