oww oww oww I'm getting really bad leg cramps.?

Question

Wow, I'm getting real bad charlie horses....like, so bad that sometimes it bruses my calf. No joke, like so bad the bruse isn't just in the inside, it's also on the outside. And, they like, bring tears...they're real bad. And I'm haveing one now...so, It's real hard to type...and I'm flexing...and I can't...it's not helping...and when I try to walk I just kinda' collapse. It's not fun...please help! What can I do???

Answer 1

A muscle cramp is an involuntary, sustained tightening (contraction) of one or more of your muscles. It can result in intense pain and an inability to use the affected muscles. Night leg cramps are contractions of the leg muscles, usually in the back of the lower leg (calf). They often occur just as you're falling asleep or just as you're waking up.

The exact cause of night leg cramps isn't known. Some experts believe they may be due to abnormal processing of electrolytes — essential elements and chemical substances your body needs for basic functions — by muscles. Almost everyone has occasional leg cramps. But they occur most often in older adults. Common causes of night leg cramps include:

Muscle overexertion
Prolonged sitting
Dehydration
Pregnancy
Diabetes
Decreased potassium levels
Neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson's disease
Certain medications, such as albuterol, niacin, diuretics, and some calcium channel blockers and antipsychotic medications
Alcohol use
If you do get a leg cramp, you may be able to make it go away by:

Walking on the affected leg
Massaging the affected muscle
Straightening your leg and flexing your foot toward your knee until you feel the calf muscles stretch
Applying a cold pack to the affected muscle
Taking a hot bath
To help prevent night leg cramps:

Drink plenty of fluids during the day
Stretch your leg muscles before bedtime
If you have frequent and severe leg cramps at night, talk to your doctor. Treatment results vary. But the most effective treatments based on current research are:

Quinine
Vitamin B-12
Gabapentin
Night leg cramps should be distinguished from another common cause of night leg discomfort called restless legs syndrome, a condition in which your legs have a creepy, crawly or fidgety sensation unless you move them. This sensation often gets worse as night approaches. Restless legs syndrome is a neurologic condition that requires different treatment from that of night leg cramps.

Answer 2

Try eating a banana once or twice a day, cramps usually happen when your body is low on potassium. You can take supplements of potassium also. Also lower salt intake and increase water intake!!

Answer 3

Hypokalemia
AKA low potassium causes muscle cramps, especially in the calves.
Treatment = one banana a day
If that isn't enough, get your electrolytes drawn by your doc... to better manage it.

Answer 4

Ive once came across who my frenz had that cramp b4.She took supplements for her joint n bones,calcium n do guasa (chinese kind of therapy using the horn of a buffalo-its like a board)on outside of her leg.Trust me it works..now all her cramps n pain had gone.

GoodLuck!~

Answer 5

I get then really bad if I do not drink milk...not sure why though because it usually means you need Potassium(like in bananas).

Answer 6

Stretch out in the morning and evening, drink more water and take vitamins, that will do it