Leg cramps?

Question

I got a really really bad leg cramp last night while I was sleeping and I've been afraid to move my leg in case it would start up again. If I get up out of bed, will it start? I know to eat more potassium and calcium would make these stop. Thanks (only serious answers please)

Answer 1

Boy, can I relate. I had the worst cramps growing up. The muscles in my legs became rocks and spasimed bad. I know that feeling, too scared to move, but you'll have to.

Here are some tips. Yes, potassium is good for you (bananas), but so are oranges. Drink a glass of orange juice every day. If you have one in the house, eat it now. It's helped with leg and feet cramps in my family.

Two: Hot rags. Heat will help your muscles loosen up a bit.

Three: Walk around. I know it hurts, but you need to move. I'd limp for hours after my cramps, but I knew that moving helped stretch the muscles as well. They are bunched and need to be stretched.

Four: Massage. If you live with someone, have them massage your legs. I usually got stuck doing this to myself (and crying while I was at it), but it helps.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

As most people have already said, bananas and water, and foods or drinks high in calcium are going to be your best bet. Also I recomend taking a multi vitamin daily. I read a tip in a pregnancy book to get rid of leg and foot cramps. Lying down, straighten the cramped leg all the way out and point your toes towards your head. The pain intensifies for a moment but it works the cramp out fast. Give it a try, it really helped me.

Answer 3

Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses (FASTEST for cramps) or a couple of bananas daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 4

Don't laugh. I saw this in a Dr's answer column in a newspaer and it's worth a try. Put a bar of soap under that leg that's cramping when you're lying down. Also, have your creatinine kinase checked out as, if the level is too high, it can cause muscle cramps. Mine was 300 over where it should be and that can be indicative of a serious problem. Good luck! Those leg cramps are horrible.

Answer 5

Make sure you drink a lot of water as well. This happens to my friend all the time. It looks really painful. She said that it happens to her when she does not have enough potassium and when she is slightly dehydrated. So I think your best course of action is water and bananas. If it does not stop hurting or if it continues I would see a doctor. Good luck.

Answer 6

My husband gets leg cramps periodically while sleeping. I have several remedies. They are: stand on your toes until the cramp subsides,walk it out and drink pickle juice. The pickle juice seems to work best. Good Luck

Answer 7

Calcium is the key. Eat some calcium pills. 1000mg every day