Leg Cramps Getting Worse « Back to Group Discussions

[Jaimee]

I know this has been discussed in the past, but my leg cramps have just suddenly become much worse.  It's to the point where at night in bed I can't flex my leg muscles at all or they will cramp.  I used to be able to stretch by flexing my feet (avoiding pointing my toes), but even my shins cramp now when I flex!  I'm tossing and turning a lot at night to get comfortable with my ribs and when I roll over I have to use my whole upper body to do it so I don't flex any of my leg muscles.  It's crazy.  Last night had me leaping out of bed twice to stand flat footed.  Ugh!

So, I know that Abra takes Natural Calm, but I couldn't find that locally and would like to pick something up ASAP.  What other magnesium/calcium, etc. supplements are you all taking to curb the cramping?

Thanks!

[jbk21]

I think I saw a product called All Calm at our natural foods store.  There are a bunch of other ones as well, or maybe you could google some tinctures and see if you can find something locally.  Otherwise my MW recommends a liquid cal-mag supplement taken 2 hours before bed.

[Abraisme]

I buy NaturalCalm at Whole Foods and it's also available at The Vitamin Shoppe (in stores and online)..  I have also had good success with Magnelevures  It's quite $$, but actually works the best of anything that I've tried.  I purchased it from my naturopath, which also may not be an option for you.   If you can't find those things, try any powdered drink mix or liquid (ask at your health food store).  I know that pills do NOT work at all for me.  I've also had to up my magnesium intake lately, as my legs and feet are cramping worse at night and sometimes while walking!  You can increase your intake until you get diarrhea (yeah fun). 

http://pureformulas.com/magnelevuresoriginal-flavor-30sachets-by-seroyal.html

[birdhappy85]

I bought Natural Calm through Amazon. Had it delivered to my door! It was cheaper on there than at our local health food store and arrived within a day or two. Was pretty speedy!

[Caracol8]

I've been using Floradix liquid cal-mag.  It's a brown bottle that's sold in a box for ~$25.  I've seen it shelved in both the regular calcium supplement section and the women's health section at health food stores.

[IwannaBanRN]

I'm sorry, Jaimee. I wish I knew what I could do to help. :( I hope you can make it go away and if not, at least you're almost done with your pregnancy. :)

[Jaimee]

Which NaturalCalm do you all get?  There appears to be quite a few variations.

[birdhappy85]

I got this one, Natural Calm Plus Calcium in raspberry lemon flavor: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003I4P3JS

[Jaimee]

Abra, no WF and no Vitamin Shoppe either- I guess I don't live in Baltimore anymore!  We do have tiny local natural food stores, so I'll see if they have something similar.

Thanks Joanie!  Yikes, so $26 is about average for a bottle of this stuff.  Sigh...  Trying to decide if it's worth it or not...

[birdhappy85]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

Abra, no WF and no Vitamin Shoppe either- I guess I don't live in Baltimore anymore!  We do have tiny local natural food stores, so I'll see if they have something similar.

Thanks Joanie!  Yikes, so $26 is about average for a bottle of this stuff.  Sigh...  Trying to decide if it's worth it or not...

The 16 oz container of Natural Calm that I got seems like it will last me forever. A serving size is only like 1-1/2 tsp, twice a day I think? I keep forgetting to take it twice a day so it will really last me a while, lol. I haven't had leg cramps ever since I got it, though! I don't think I changed anything else in my diet since then, so I like to think this stuff helped. I just like it in general now. It really does make you feel good.

[Jaimee]

Okay, I called all over town to more stores and found some Natural Calm!  Yay!  So I have it and now I'm wondering on the timing.  Should I take it in the morning and evening or if it should be a certain number of hours prior to going to bed for optimum effect, like J mentioned?

[birdhappy85]

Hmmm! I'm going to have to try taking it 2 hours before bedtime too and see how it feels. I've been taking mine sporadically whenever I remember in the afternoon... I take a thyroid medication in the morning so I have to wait at least 4 hours to take any vitamins. I haven't taken any of my vitamins before 11:00-noon. But if I were able to, I would! Jaimee - Let us know how you end up taking it and if it helps. I'm glad you found some!

[Abraisme]

You're supposed to take it 2 times a day, morning and night.  I don't worry about when really, I just take it.  If I start getting cramps in the middle of the day, I will usually drink some.  It doesn't seem to effect my sleep (or maybe it does, but I don't notice because I've been taking it for years).  I try to buy the one w/calcium if it's available, but I don't always, both seem to work.  The other difference is flavor, all of which are fine to me.
 

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

Okay, I called all over town to more stores and found some Natural Calm!  Yay!  So I have it and now I'm wondering on the timing.  Should I take it in the morning and evening or if it should be a certain number of hours prior to going to bed for optimum effect, like J mentioned?

[Jaimee]

I just took some, so we'll see!!

[Abraisme]

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

I just took some, so we'll see!!

[Jaimee]

Well, it did appear that my leg muscles were slightly less sensitive last night.  I could flex me feet again without cramping, but I could still tell that I had to be careful with other movements.  I'm optimistic about doing a dose twice a day today and seeing if that improves things more.

[Gemini529]

Jaimee, have you tried upping your potassium intake?  I suffered from really bad middle of the night charlie horses during my last pregnancy.  I looked around online and a bunch of sites said to try eating bananas before bed. I started doing that and I think it really helped.  I still get them from time to time, but not nearly as often.  I have gotten to where I can feel when one might come on and if I move my leg around a little, I can stop it from happening before it starts.  It's so awful, though!  When it does happen, my leg will be sore for days after.  I hope you get some relief!!!

[Jaimee]

Thanks, Gemini.  The Natural Calm did seem to help.  I'm drinking it right now and we'll see if tonight goes even better.  I had actually read that most people think cramping is due to potassium, but magnesium deficiency is the much more likely cause.  Who know for sure though, what's going on.  If this doesn't fully do the trick maybe I'll try bananas on top of it!   And I'm the same way, when I can't prevent the full on cramp by leaping out of bed, my leg is sore for the entire day.  Sucks!