does anyone have an easy remedy for a "charley-horse' in your calf ?

Question

It comes on while I sleep and the pain is incredible! It only lasts a minute or so, but the pain is very intense. I take calcium pills daily.

Answer 1

advil.
And if your leg is straightened out when this happens, then bend your knee. Or if your leg is bent when this happens, straighten it out. This will get the blood flowing and also for some reason it just makes the pain stop faster. at least try it, it works for me.

Answer 2

These can be caused by potassium deficits, too. Are you getting daily potassium? Both calcium and potassium are important for muscle contraction. Try adding some potassium in the foods you eat, worst case in a supplement form, and see if that helps. If not- try backing down the amount of calcium you are taking in supplements. My grandmother used to get these nightly and she was taking calcium all the time- she started with potassium and it helped a lot.

When they happen the best you can do is to try to stretch the muscle and massage it. Not a whole lot else other than ride it out until it's over. They are extremely painful, I realize, and the muscle is sore afterwards.

Try the potassium and see how that goes. Good luck!

Answer 3

the best was to remedy Charley horses is to make sure that you get enough water and calcium. even when you take a calcium, without vit D the calcium is not absorbed into your system. another thing is talk to your doctor and ask for stretches that you can do to prevent them. also put your feet up for about ten minutes a day helps the muscles to relax and may help decrease the frequency of the pain. what ever you do, DO NOT USE HEAT pack it only makes them worse.

Answer 4

I have the same problem. The only solution is to get up, put weight on it immediately and forcibly stretch the muscle out. It works for me.

In addition, try stretching immediately before going to bed. Stand up, put your hands over your head against the wall, and alternately push each foot back as far as you can with your ankle against the floor. Feel those calf muscles stretch out.

Another thing I've heard is that if you sleep on your back with heavy blankets on your feet, it forces your toes down, and your ankles up (exactly the opposite of the exercise I just described. So I've taken to sleeping on my side or on my stomache with my feet off the bottom of the bed in the winter when I'm all covered up. All this has seemed to help! I hope it does for you too.

Answer 5

I comprehend SOOOOOOO a lot. the comparable element occurs to me! I consume a banana or take a potassium pill daily and it nonetheless occurs. you will get a homeopathic leg cramp pill that has quinine in it. That facilitates and it works rapid. i take advantage of it as quickly as I get a cramp. in case you won't be able to locate it at a well being food shop you are able to drink some tonic water. This has quinine in it as properly yet i think of it tastes undesirable. some human beings like it and merely drink a hlaf a can interior the night. (BLICK!) I additionally take Dr. Gott's suggestion (A scientific Columnist interior the information paper) and that i placed a small motel sized bar of cleansing soap (Unwrapped) below my backside sheet on the foot of the mattress. i will experience it and locate it and make helpful it has not slipped out earlier i flow to sleep! It would not hardship me there. i don't understand despite the fact that if that's in my head or what...it works! My dad does the comparable issues too and he swears by utilising the cleansing soap and the quinine! SO, there ya flow! i wish something facilitates and comprehend that i think your discomfort. actually!

Answer 6

I used to get really bad "charley-horses" too. I would wake up almost in tears almost every night. My doc told me it was a potassium deficiency. As nuts as this sounds, I started eating a banana every day. Within 3 days, the charley-horses stopped. I have continued with it and haven't had a single one since. It may sound nuts, but it worked for me. Hopefully it will work for you too!!

Answer 7

Next time this happens turn your toes towards your nose. Hold your leg out straight and flex your foot making your toes point towards your nose. It works because it stretches that muscle out.

Answer 8

people say this happens if you drive alot the day before you get it. i have gotten them in the past. dont have an answer but they are really bad. you must also make sure your whole body is ont he bed. with all due respect they happen when i am having sex.

Answer 9

Point your toes toward your nose and grab them with your fingers and pull up.It should instantly release the cramp.Pregos get them all the time. :)

Answer 10

stretches and massage