[A&A]

For the past month or two, I've gotten bad leg cramps, which are now happening nightly and interferring with my sleep. (cramps in my calves). Then my legs are stiff during the day because of the cramping at night. Also sometimes my entire legs will feel fatigued, like I've run a marathon.

I do have a doctor's appointment for next week but thought I'd ask here as well. I'm scared it will be something serious. I do take a multivitamin, at least when I remember to. I eat some meat but not a lot.

 

[sincitymama]

I went through something similar a few years back. We were really financially broke at the time and it turned out to be poor nutrition. Once I started to focus more on eating better, it eased up. The biggest thing for me was starting a multivitamin, and eating lots of bananas. I think a lack of potassium can contribute to it a lot. Glad to hear you're seeing someone though, just on the off chance it's a blood clot or something like that that can also cause pain....but I think you'd be seeing swelling and such also. Maybe do some gentle stratching during hte days too, loosen up those muscles. Hope it gets better soon.

 

[Alkenny]

We call these "Charley horses", and they can be contributed to lack of potassium. You can get it from bananas, orange juice and potatoes.

 

[A&A]

I usually eat at least a banana a day, so I don't think I'm deficient on potassium.

 

[GruppieGirl]

My Mom had nightly leg cramps too. Someone told her to up her calcium intake and the cramps are getting a lot less frequent.

 

[Faithsmom]

Calcium helped me when I was getting those. Painful isn't it??? It's like your calf balls up into a knot. I was dieting at the time. I think my nutrition wasn't that great. Also, I've heard you can get leg pains like that if you are on certian medications. My aunt was getting them when she was on lipitor for her cholesterol. Just a thought.

 

[lnitti]

potasium and calcium can help.

but have you had your thyroid checked? being hypothyroid can cause muscle cramps and spasms. I used to have them really bad, but since my thyroid has been more in check, they have gone away.

 

[TurboClaudia]

taking a calcium supplement that also has magnesium just before you go to sleep should help. the supplement should contain calcium and magnesium in a 2:1 ratio. both of these minerals are important to balance in the neuromuscular system. the calcium will also help you sleep more restfully.

warmly,
claudia

 

[MamaMonica]

I agree about the Ca/Mg supplement before bed. I need to take this or have leg pain.

 

[A&A]

Thanks!

I do take Levoxyl for thyroid.