Terriable LEG cramps at night

KathiM said:

Off and on....
I ramped up my calcium, and put more potassium in my diet (bananas and parsley), it seemed to get better...

Come to think of it, since I have stopped the Tami (got to 5 years...), I haven't had a single one (better find so wood to knock on...).

Knuffels, Kathi

Try over the counter
Try over the counter Potassium supplements. You could be low in Potassium. Also, eat bananas as they are loaded with Potassium.

Also, some put a bar of soap at the foot of the bed and it has helped them. I know, it sounds odd, but if it works, why not.


Sue

disneyfan2008 said:

bananas it is..on way
bananas it is..on way home...hehe

thanks

bananas
They are also high in vitamin K which increases blood clotting factor so, depending on your situation, take care. But the potassium helped me too.

Night cramps and other rest
Night cramps and other rest cramps can often be prevented by regular stretching exercises, particularly if done before going to bed. Even the simple calf-stretching maneuver (described in the first paragraph of the section on treatment), if held for 10 to 15 seconds and repeated two or three times just before going to bed, can be a great help in preventing nocturnal cramps. The maneuver can be repeated each time you get up to go to the bathroom during the night and also once or twice during the day. If nocturnal leg cramps are severe and recurrent, a foot board can be used to simulate walking even while recumbent and may prevent awkward positioning of the feet during sleep. Ask your doctor about this remedy.

Another important aspect of prevention of night cramps is adequate calcium and magnesium. Blood levels may not be sensitive enough to accurately reflect what is happening at the tissue surfaces where the hyperexcitability of the nerve occurs. Calcium intake of at least 1 gram daily is reasonable, and 1.5 grams may be appropriate, particularly for women with or at risk for osteoporosis. An extra dose of calcium at bedtime may help prevent cramps.

Supplemental magnesium may be very beneficial for some, particularly if the person has a magnesium deficiency. However, added magnesium can be very hazardous for people who have difficulty eliminating magnesium, as happens with kidney insufficiency. The vigorous use of diuretics usually increases magnesium loss, and high levels of calcium intake (and therefore of calcium excretion) tend to increase magnesium excretion. Magnesium is present in many foods (greens, grains, meat and fish, bananas, apricots, nuts, and soybeans) and some laxatives and antacids, but a supplemental dose of 50-100 milligrams of magnesium daily may be appropriate. Splitting the dose and taking a portion several times during the day minimizes the tendency to diarrhea that magnesium can cause.

My husband works at staying hydrated and doing to nice slow stretches at bed time has worked for him. Also vitmain E. I think my husband takes 400 units dailyand he no longer has leg cramps.