BS: Nightime leg cramps

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 21 Dec 15 - 04:23 AM

Had them all my life from about six - have recently come back.
The advantage of having them long-term is that you become aware when they're coming on and learn to shift into a position that will avoid them - works as an alarm clock sometimes and wakes me up (often just in time)
Just goes to show - your body never hardens up where and when you want it to!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 21 Dec 15 - 03:57 AM

" ... i'm at an age now when I'm experiencing more uncomfortable sensations in my legs..
don't know if it's just related to inevitable age & declining fitness;..."

Me too! I woke up one night, a few months back, with the most excruciating pain in my left leg. I've not experienced anything quite so bad since but I seemed to be getting persistent, low-level pain around my knees and sometimes my hips. I read somewhere that as a person gets older his/her walking gait changes. There's a tendency for the feet to sort of splay outwards and that puts a strain on the knees and hips. I looked at my shoes and, sure enough, the outer parts of the heels - towards the back - were very worn. I did a bit of investigation and found that you can buy (over the counter in your local pharmacist) some shoe inserts which correct your gait. I bought some and they seem to be working so far - a lot less leg pain.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Dec 15 - 03:28 AM

When I worked down the pit, we had saline orange juice as we came through into the baths. A few of the older men who had stopped working where it was so hot to lighter duties elsewhere (and therefore not needing the drink) used to complain of cramps in the night that went away if they went back to having the drink. I remember the arguments when the GP advising the colliery medical centre told them not to allow these men the drink as their salt levels would be too high if they aren't sweating it off.

A couple of years later, medical opinion was to not give it to us either but carried it on without the salt to encourage plenty of liquid intake.

That may be placebo, may be something in it. Scanning up the thread, Frog Prince asked if placebo can work when you know it to be placebo. Medical trials seem to dictate that it does. In fact, vetinary trials as well as early trials on destined to be human medicines carried out on animals have a similar 20% placebo success. Spooky.

One old wives tale my sister told me when I complained of such cramps was not to drink so much coffee. Dunno where she got it from.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Wesley S
Date: 20 Dec 15 - 11:37 PM

No. Just that I still get them from time to time. Early this morning as a matter of fact.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: gnu
Date: 20 Dec 15 - 02:44 PM

Anything to add to the previous posts?

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Dec 11 - 05:44 PM

WE just take powdered magnesium by the 1/4 spoonful a couple times a day. Do google "magnesium deficiency". There is a two page quiz to determine if you are deficient. I had terrible pain in right hip and knee in August - totally cured now; improved greatly in first week of mag therapy. Nasty mood swings disappeared. Also completely eliminated nighttime leg cramps - as long as I remember to take it. An extra 200- 400 mg/day. I feel SO much better! I cannot eat bananas. One symptom of mag def is high BP. Too much = low BP. Also diarrhea.   

I take no prescription drugs.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: gnu
Date: 01 Dec 11 - 03:11 PM

"a large spoonful of yellow mustard" might give ya cramps in the guts?

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 01 Dec 11 - 02:27 PM

So does a daily glass of tonic water with quinine. What else you add to it is up to you.

And during the cramps I take a large spoonful of yellow mustard. It seems to help shorten the duration of the cramp.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: kendall
Date: 01 Dec 11 - 01:07 PM

COQ10 really does help. So does a banana a day and orange juice.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 05:01 PM

I used to know what the little ditch under one's nose, between it and the upper lip was called. I didn't often use the term and so forgot it. The septum though, is that piece of cartilage and tissue that separates the nostrils.

Get the surgery. I had constant, painful sinus infections, polyps and a nose that slammed shut whenever I had a cold. I had a deviated septum fixed and new drainage holes put in my sinuses. I haven't had a sinus infection of polyp since and I can usual breathe during a cold. The surgery made a huge change in my life.

Cholesterol tablets, "statins" can cause leg pain. It can be serious and so you should discuss it with your doctor. I had some problems which were alleviated by taking CoQ-10 (co-enzyme Q-10, AKA "ubiquinone") and that helped in a big way, but you should talk to your doctor.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: gnu
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 04:06 PM

Punky... "Specialist Dr says I could have an operation to straighten out my interior nasal bones to clear blocked air passages...

Nasal concha... turbinates... YUP! Had it done June 2. GO FOR IT!

If you were a member we could PM and I could tell you about what to expect. Then again, might be more "fun" for you to experience it. A few weeks after the operation, I had to pull my truck over to the side of the road and yell, "Holy FUCK!" after I blew my nose while driving slowly in a residential neighbourhood.

But, I can BREATHE for the first time in yeeeears. And, yes, being able to sleep well is a godsend.

And, yes, your symtoms can be related to high BP but also to smokng and if ya got both... go for the slice and dice ASAP.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 03:00 PM

I should see your doctor about your discomfort in your legs. It could be sclerosis. If it's the statins, there are several to choose from and your doc. might change the type for you. Regarding your nose op, it may be better to go ahead as you're suffering a lot from breathing and sinus problems. Plastic surgery(in the worst case scenario) could rectify any disappointing results. So sorry you're below par, punkfolkrocker. Best wishes to you.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 11:17 AM

1 - i'm at an age now when I'm experiencing more uncomfortable sensations in my legs..
don't know if it's just related to inevitable age & declining fitness;
or side effects of blood pressure / cholesterol tablets..

or any factor in combination


2 - going off on the nose deviation...

mine got broke 2 or 3 times when I was a kid growing up in a small provincial southwest UK town.

all my adult life I've suffered breathing/sinus/inner ear problems
and am on daily steroid nasal spray and anti histamines
to try to keep it in check.

Specialist Dr says I could have an operation to straighten out
my interior nasal bones to clear blocked air passages..

BUT

there's a small but real chance the middle of my nose could wither and drop out
leaving me looking like a severest abject coke addict !!!???

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: kendall
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 08:04 AM

My ENT tells me I have a deviated septum. The wall between my nostrils was damaged by a baseball when I was a boy.

I wondered why it was getting bigger; then, it hit me.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 01:00 AM

-those two lines below your nose on your upper lip(this body part may have a name, but I do not know it) --- Carly 1 Jun 10

BLTN ~ that crease is called the septum.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: maeve
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 09:57 AM

Yes they do, Kendall.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: kendall
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 09:16 AM

Bananas have magnesium don't they?

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: mayomick
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 04:02 PM

I've suffered from painful cramps pretty regularly at nights for years , but have noticed that I haven't been afflicted since the recent onset of ice and snow . The pavements around here have been like ice rinks which forces me to walk around cautiously with my achilles tendons tensed up .

I did have a problem with twitchy calf muscles two years ago and was very worried about it - hypochondriac that I am. The doctor referred me to a physiotherapist who said that the problem probably came from my achilles tendons being too relaxed . The simple exercises she gave me cured the twitchy muscles . Now I wonder if cramps might also be caused by over relaxed achilles tendons . The exercises consisted of keeping my heel pressed to the floor while raising the rest of my feet which has the effect of tensing up the achilles tendons.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: olddude
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 03:55 PM

Make sure it is not a disk in your back, the pain will run down your leg and trust me sleep is something you won't get ... Leg pain can be a cramp or it can be much more serious from clots to disk problems in the lower back ... go to the doc for sure

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 27 Sep 10 - 10:14 AM

I tend to get mine in patterns sometimes I seem to be more prone to cramps than other times like if I am under the weather or sickening for a cold or flu symptoms. If I have been having a bout of cramps what works for me is to keep my calves, knees and ankles from getting too chilled wrapping with long thick socks and keeping my feet snug to stop them locking doing this for as long as I need to. Instead of having putting cold flat sheets on my bed I swap them for the fluffy flannelette kind in the colder seasons.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Little Hawk
Date: 27 Sep 10 - 10:02 AM

The daily supplement of magnesium citramate has proven to be the perfect cure for me...plus adequate hydration. What a relief!

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 04:30 PM

Hi Kat and LH

I am on very low sodium... luckily I don't like salt very much. Rarely have processed foods. None in my breakfast cereal either.

I do drink loads of water, do special Achilles stretches for arthritis in feet and ankles so severe cramps are rare.

Defo got that edema though. I work full time and even though there is a first aid room with padded table, I can't take long breaks like that.

Will push the circulation thing next time I see doc.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 02:43 PM

Forgot to say, LH is right about the magnesium. I had a terrible time with leg cramps last summer. Through bloodwork, we had to fine tune my levels of calcium, magnesium, and I cannot remember what else. I take one mag. at night and one calcium in the morning. Also drink plenty of water to help flush out sodium, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 02:40 PM

VTam, as I understand it you are concerned about the rash as much as cramps? Sounds like edema to me. Sometimes it can be rather subtle. It may not look as though you are retaining water, but if you do the "push" test, you can usually tell. Push down with your index finger or whatever is comfortable against your shin about halfway up from your ankle. Hold it in for 20 seconds. If your skin dimples and doesn't spring right back up, you have edema. It can cause a rash. It is common for it to get worse as the day goes on, esp. if your feet are down all day.

I just got over a bad case of edema caused by low protein and too much sodium; my legs and feet were very itchy, esp. near the end of the day. It was so severe I wound up with weeping sores. They are all cleared up thanks to my being vigilant in lying down 3-4 times per day, making sure my feet were ABOVE the level of my heart, for thirty minutes or so AND treating the itching, open sores with a product called Amerigel (you can find it on google). I saw my doc today for the first time in a month and called it a miracle. She was amazed at how much better I am, in fact, my legs are basically "normal" now with no sores, etc.

I don't know if you can get it over there, but a cream which also helps with the itching is Benadryl, basic antihistamine. I didn't even know they made a cream, but boy, does it help!

I wish you could find a doc who would honour your intuition about YOUR body. You may be spot on about the circulation; that could certainly cause edema.

Hope this helps.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Little Hawk
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 02:30 PM

I have found the solution to nightime leg cramps!!!

Magnesium supplements.

I take Magnesium Citramate tablets that were suggested by my naturopath, 3 in the evening, 3 in the morning, and I have had no overnight leg cramps for about a year now, since starting the Magnesium supplements. Secondarily, it also helps if you drink lots of water every day.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: LadyJean
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 02:02 AM

In my youth I was a Scottish highland dancer. My dancing teacher taught me the trick of putting my foot on something cold when I got a cramp. It works.
I find V8Juice works well for preventing them.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Carly
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 07:52 PM

Many years ago, an Asian friend, discovering that I suffered from cramps in my calf ("charlie horses") suggested this treatment. Place your thumb and forefinger of one hand each on one side of those two lines below your nose on your upper lip(this body part may have a name, but I do not know it) and pinch, hard. For about 9 seconds you just feel like a fool and then, magically, the muscles relax. Keep holding for a few more seconds. I assume this technique has to do with accupressure points; I really do not know why it works, but it works for me. Hope it helps you too.

Carly

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 03:54 PM

any body know why I am suddenly getting hive like rash on lower legs only and only itches in evening. had it before, 2 months ago. lasted one month. cleared up and now it is back.

no changes to laundry stuff, body wash and lotions, or diet. Same furniture, cotton corduroy sofa.

Doc says it is just dermatitis. I say not. It only itches in the evening. Doc asks "stress?" I say, "No more than usual."

I think it is circulatory, because it happens almost as soon as I put my feet up n sofa. Also under the worst rash areas when there is rash I see bluish spider veins, which disappear when the rash calms down. Also when the hives some up, I have that arrgghh... restless leg acheyness. Like I cannot stand to be inside them.

Doc has not seen the rash when it is peaking. Just the after effect from my scratching. She doesn't listen when I say I think it circulatory.

Can circulation probs cause rash?

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 May 10 - 04:01 PM

Novo-gabapentin helps mine, but see your physician.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: GUEST,999
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 01:23 AM

Aye, there's the rub.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 09:51 AM

I get them once in a while, or I used to. Stretching the muscle out helps, which is why GfS's and MtheGM's ideas work. The problem for me is that I can't do that indefinitely, and when I relax, the cramp is back... then the other leg starts up.

What helps head them off for me is to move the leg around, in all directions, even the ones that feel like they're going to hurt. If everything fails, I just get up and stand for a while. I think gravity helps get the blood through those spasming blood vessels.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 02:17 AM

Meanwhile, as have suggested before, try to combine this motion with pressing undersides of toes against top sheet or bedfoot to raise them in relation to the instep - this helps greatly also.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: GUEST,999
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 12:50 AM

GfS: I'll try that next time. Thank you.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 12:46 AM

When you get those leg cramps, (severe ones are also known as 'Charlie horses'), the moment you feel one coming on, point your foot up, and your heel down, as much as you can do that...they will instantly go away.
Sleep well
GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: GUEST,999
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 10:35 PM

On occasions I have leg cramps I hobble to the can, get a towel under hot water and then get it on my affected leg. It helps, or at least seems to.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: GUEST,Kendall
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 07:08 AM

Soap no longer works for me. Vinegar seems to help.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 06:50 AM

Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho ·····

; ~)§

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 06:42 AM

OOPS ! Mike Pipped me

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 06:41 AM

Sympathy is all I can offer - NOT a problem I have , thankfully !

Oh Yes -- AND 100 !

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 06:39 AM

Hip-ra — hip-ra — hip-ra

                      100

& it shall not 'cramp' my style!

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 01:53 AM

forgot to say my Dr doubled my Magnesium when she told me about the leg-stretching trick. I've been taking 1 tablet per day since the electrical system of my heart was playing up in 2006, now I take 2 each morning.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 01:50 AM

A few nights back I couldn't get to sleep from leg numbness & cramping. Not the muscle cramps where the "little mouse" pops out of the muscle & hurt like hell cos I avoid them now since my Dr told me to stretch in bed leading with my heels, never toes. I have near-constant pain in my knees & left hip, so getting a comfy sleeping spot is difficult & I often stretch my legs to get them comfortable, but I'm now almost paranoid in making sure my foot is 90degrees to ankle before stretching.

Back to Wed night - after about 2.5 house of wide-awake head, & numb tingly legs I got out of bed (again) & went on line. Both Mayo Clinic & another reputable (Govt) site said speak to Dr, none said go to Emergency dept. There are lots of conditions that cause the symptoms, and one piece of advice was to drink more water, & as I hadn't had a lot of water the previous day, I emptied my water bottle & went back to bed, & gradually my legs settled down & I went to sleep. I had about 3.5 hours sleep.

Later that day I was talking to a friend who is a Triage Nurse who said the previous day's hot weather, up to 36C (38C is 100F for those who use the old numbers), my walking in the sun on 2 occasions near the middle of the day, even tho I wore wrap-around sunnies, a broad-brimmed hat & hid under an umbrella, & lack of water was likely the cause. DRINK MORE WATER on hot days, she said.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 01:10 AM

I have had leg cramps that onset at 3 am and are agonizing. The only remedy for me is to get out of bed and amble around frantically in the dark like a madman.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 10:43 PM

Guest999 — best advice I have ever heard. Don't catch colds either; or let your appendix become infected; or or or — & above all, make sure you never die...

Then you'll be OK.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: GUEST,999
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 09:45 PM

"Nightime leg cramps"

My advice is not to have them at all. Of course, people rarely take free advice.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: rich-joy
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 04:43 AM

sorry, here is the link to the Magnesium section of the afore-mentioned IMVA website :

http://www.magnesiumforlife.com/


R-J

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: rich-joy
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 04:35 AM

As a few posters have mentioned (and surprisingly few at that!!), try MAGNESIUM - in the form of Magnesium Chloride oil, used transdermally, not ingested.
I cannot speak highly enough of this substance!!! (it has helped me amazingly - not only with cramps - it also reduced my annoying heart palpitations to almost nil (and assisted with other problems too) ....

Magnesium is soooo essential for the health and well-being of almost every part of a human being and yet probably the majority of Westerners have a Magnesium deficiency!!

Please take the time to check out a website called IMVA (International Medical Veritas Association) run by Dr Mark Sircus, for a veritable goldmine of great information and advice.

There is a link on it too, for the trans-dermal Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2) in the product called "Ancient Minerals" (it's called "oil" - but it's not "oily"!!)

Believe me, it works. Try It!

Cheers, R-J
Down Under

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: Rumncoke
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 05:09 AM

Something to consider might be not eating a meal late in the day - and also for similar reasons, treating or resolving constipation.

I used to get cramps when at folk festivals, and after trying all sorts of preventions, I stopped eating my main meal in the evening. No more cramps.

These were inner thigh cramps and really agonising.

I mentioned this to someone else and he said he got cramps towards the end of festivals when the weather was hot, due to the pong from the toilets putting him off using them, but the problem vanished at the first clean facility on the way home.

Anne Croucher

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 04:51 AM

No need even to reach down and pull the toes. Simply press the bottoms of the toes on the foot of the affected leg against the upper bedclothes, so that the toes are RAISED, & instant relief ensues. Forget who taught me that trick many years ago, but I have never known it to fail.

Subject: RE: BS: Nightime leg cramps
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 05:42 PM

;~) Fun!

Do try that pillow.

~S~