Cramp

[Dave.p]

Anyone got a cure for serious lower leg cramp at night, its driving me to distraction. Doc said drink drinks with Quinine, didn't work. friend said Magnesuim tablets, after 2 months they havn,t worked either. Any suggestions ?

 

[milkloss]

Salt will usually help but be careful you don't overdo it.

 

[davidroberts30]

Have you changed your exercise or work habit?
I used to get bad cramp when younger but worked out it was down to either over exertion or no useful exercise (tractor driving)

 

[RushesToo]

@Dave.p Have you changed footwear? That can do it for me.

 

[spin cycle]

are you wearing short type pjs?......i was and really suffering but since switching back to trouser type i'm fine ....touchwood emoji

 

[Sharpy]

I have suffered regular serious cramp in the past, bad enough on occasion to make me consider headbutting a wall to knock myself out.
Two things make a difference for me. Firstly avoid dehydration, really avoid dehydration by drinking water during the day, then drink a pint of water after you get in from work, then another before going to bed.
Secondly if I don't drink a can of original Pepsi I am more likely than not to get cramp. I don't know why, but its a serious help.

 

[JWL]

I get some really bad cramp at night, usually around 2 hours after I've gone to bed, just enough to get into a deep sleep then absolute pain. Used to be just a muscle cramp like in the calf. That was eased by stretching the muscles by leaning against the wall or even better doing stretches before bed. Now I get deep cramp from the groin and allmost to the knee. It gets that it is near impossible to support yourself to get up and walk around, this is the only way to ease the pain. First of all I have to pee, usually breaking my neck at this point anyway and trying to be quiet so as not to wake up the rest of the household and then keep walking round and round for it to ease off.
Hydration is a big deterrent but you don't want to drink too much as you end up getting up in the middle of the night for numerous pee's anyway, not exactly much of a win-win situation.
I often notice a sciatica pain in my lower back at the same time which also adds to the discomfort. Too much sweet, high sugar stuff before bedtime brings it on so apart from drinks I try not to eat much of anything after 9pm but we all get those snack attack/munchies moments

 

[jellybean]

I occasionally get severe cramp in my legs a couple of hours after going to bed. It happens after I having been doing something hard and intense such as de-antlering 46 stags on my own in 2 hours on a hot day. I never drink enough water and I need to discipline myself to drink more. Prevention is obviously the best course but I keep a bottle of Magnesium Chloride solution by the bed to be rubbed in when it happens. Trouble is when the cramps hit I cannot even get the bottle, let alone get the top off and reach my legs. Thats when you need a wife within earshot!

 

[Jon]

Try eating a banana before bed.

 

[JWL]

A banana does help but doesn't guarantee a peaceful sleep

 

[Barleymow]

Tonic water I get cramp at night a lot ,lidl sell small cans of tonic one is usually enough to stop it .Or stand on something cold I hop in the bath and turn the cold tap on

 

[Dave.p]

Thanks for the comments, Dehydration certainly has something to do with it. but an enlarged prostate and very much water means I only get an hour and a half's sleep at a time ,Quinine didn't work at all

 

[Days of thunder]

I get it quite bad sometimes. I have found stretching and trying to get a bit more movement in the muscles helps a lot . I must look quite a sight when out walking dogs as try and do it then. Ministry of funny walks would approve .

 

[Chasingmytail]

do you get RLS or other symptoms? Is it in both legs? Have you had (impossible at mo) checked out if any back or hips issues? Poor posture changes in footwear (new boots). Can you start an exercise regime to start strengthening the muscles (youtube will have it all). Any changes in livestyle 2 months ago assume not overweight?

Dr can offer muscle relaxants short term. Quinine never worked for me. Ive had random attacks all my life. Painful

 

[davidroberts30]

best attack of cramp i had was both hamstrings
i couldnt move rolled out of bed and fell on to the floor crying in pain for about 15 minutes

worst was when i was 18 i had my left femur shortened 2 inches and the muscles didnt know what to do,that cramped on and off for months

 

[tinsheet]

Another + for bananas, couple hrs before you go to bed.