About a year and a half ago, I started waking up in the middle of the night with excruciatingly painful cramps in my calves (it could be the right or the left). It didn't seem to have any link with when I took exercise. They lasted for between 1 and 2 minutes, throughout which, I tryed to stay as still as I could through the pain, as contrary to normal cramps, moving/ stretching made it even worse. They finally abated about eight months ago; when a friend slept over.
I thought they were gone, but a couple of weeks ago, I was lying on my bed reading, and had a muscle spasm. I couldn't put weight on my legs for several hours. I have had a couple of scares, when I nearly got another one; but haven't had a full one since then. When I tense my calf muscles slightly, I can feel the muscles all tight and painful. I can't run properly for fear it'll happen again, and dread the next inevitable attack.
(Please note; stretching or pulling on my toes doesn't help!!)
2007-12-09 02:47:43 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
definetly start taking some calcium magnesium supplements before bed, this is a natural muscle relaxant and helps with charlie horses and muscle cramp. My mother used to get these too.I have gotten them as well. YOu are tensing up in your sleep, I woke up screaming in pain one time. THe cal mag should help somewhat. Try to relax, and look at unconscious areas in your life that are stressing you. Calcium magnesium is well known to help in this area,you can research it for yourself. It controls the contract/relax mechanism of your muscles. I had such a bad spasm one time and I was in a store I couldnt even walk for awhile, I know how you feel. After its over, massage your calves as much as possible , during, the only thing you can do is try not to tense up more. Do some stretching before bedtime, breath deeple, make sure you get enough water, and if you dont want to take cal mag , try a glass of milk before bed *warm would be best.
2007-12-09 02:51:29 · answer #1 · answered by earswithfeet 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
OK there's two main factors here. Yes one of them is proper hydration. The other is a vitamin deficiency. Potassium (K) is the vitamin in your system that prevents cramping and spasms. Try eating a banana every day for a couple of weeks. It takes a little time for the K to build up in your system so don't be discouraged if it don't happen for you right away. Just stick with it and it'll work.
2007-12-09 02:56:36 · answer #2 · answered by Ricky J. 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like you're getting Charlie horses, which are very painful! Be sure you are drinking plenty of water and try some stretching exercises before you go to bed each night. If they keep persisting I would check with a doctor.
2007-12-09 02:53:32 · answer #3 · answered by Bean 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have the same problem now and again.
Make sure your feet and legs are warm and start taking a Calcium/Magnesium supplement daily.
Toooooooo much coffee, especially before bed is a no no.
2007-12-09 02:53:06 · answer #4 · answered by Lynne W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try sleeping with a good warm pair of sweat pants on your legs, your muscles are getting cold and the muscles are cramping trying to stay/keep warm, its a natural reactionthe pain should subside almost right away
2007-12-09 03:09:04 · answer #5 · answered by robert r 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know how old you are, but it could be growing pains. I had them bad in my legs when I was a kid. I don't know what really helps, but I heard that eating bananas is good for muscle cramps (something about potassium)
2007-12-09 02:52:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Boy does THAT sound familiar!
Try taking b-complex vitamins and potassium. And make sure you're getting enough water. It should stop eventually.
Good luck!
2007-12-09 03:28:31 · answer #7 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
two new ideas for you to think about, are you under a lot of stress during the times when they happen, because stress can reak havic on musles all over the body. and have you thought about seeking out a holistic relaxation exercise like a body massage or acupunture.
2007-12-09 03:20:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Besides dehydration, too much caffeine and too much booze it could also be due to a deficiency of potassium, calcium, magnesium or vitamin B6.
2007-12-09 10:55:30 · answer #9 · answered by Susan Yarrawonga 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With no apparent cause, you should probably have a Doctor look at you. It might be a form of RLS (restless leg syndrome) in which case there are medications and therapies that will help. It could also be a sign of something else. In any case, its not a good idea to let something that affects your mobility like this to go undiagnosed.
2007-12-09 02:56:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋