I have been on this WOL since Jan. 2, 2002, and have not had any leg cramps at all until about 3 weeks ago. These cramps are very bizarre. It is not so much that my legs or calves are cramping up, but my feet and toes!

It happens between 3-5am just about every night - my big toe will bend, and it takes all of my strength to straighten it out. Or, my foot will cramp up on the outside, so I have to kind of stand on the outside of my foot (inside pointing up) for a few minutes to release the cramp. I end up walking all over the house just to get my feet back to normal.

Like I said, it just started happening 3-4 weeks ago. I haven't changed my diet at all and have been taking the same supplements (Atkins Basic #3, Herbalife Green & Beige, twice a day).

Does anybody have any idea as to what I should take (or not take) to help relieve me of this and get a full night's sleep?

I to have had foot cramps. very painful. I take potassium supplements and only rarely suffer now.

I have had foot cramps for most of my life. I figured it was from wearing high heels or hard sole shoes since they normally occurred right after me wearing those types of shoes.

Since I have been jobless the past two months and going barefoot I haven't had any.

Hi Upncomer,

You are developing a potassium deficiency. Leg and foot cramps are characteristic . When people take water pills and they loose potassium ,they get the same problems . Low potassium can also give you irregular heart beat .

So, you need to take potassium and it will dissappear in a flash .

There is no RDA available , all sources say that you cannot poison yourself with oral potassium , because the body will only absorb what it needs .I recommend that you take 3 to 4 tabs of 99mg each to start with daily for a week and then to cut down to 2 tabs daily . Also use potassium salt ( Lo- salt) in your food .


One reminder , if you have high blood pressure and are taking anti-hypertensives do not take potassuim unless you consult your Dr. first

hope this helps



Rob

Hi Darla,
you had a post in another forum to me, thanks,
That is were I saw your latest post and since the same thing has happened to me I came looking. Think now we know why!

thanks for the post.
dietmore

Another factor associated with night-time muscle spasm & cramping is dehydration. Make sure your water intake is adequate, especially during and immediately after exercise, to flush away lactic acid buildup. Also, you need to have sufficient fluid on board in order for potassium to work efficiently. If you're dehydrated, this will concentrate the potassium (and sodium!) in the blood. The kidneys will be tricked into thinking you have lots of potassium .. So there you have a double-whammy ... not enough potassium AND not enough fluid.

Ouch!!

Doreen

Thanks all! I guess the Lite salt isn't doing the job. I will need to take more potassium.

Hey dietmore - hope you are having a great WOL!

You guys are all so quick to help and offer support - I really appreciate it!

Just for the heck of it, here are a few good natural sources of potassium:

Salt substitute containing potassium (1/4 tsp) 715
Yogurt, low-fat, plain (1 cup) 625
Tomato juice, low sodium (1 cup) 535
Cantaloupe, cubed (1 cup) 495
Yogurt, low-fat, w/ fruit (1 cup) 475
Honeydew melon, cubed (1cup) 460
Tomatoes, low sodium, canned (3/4 cup) 410
Spinach, frozen, cooked (3/4 cup) 460
Brussels sprouts, frozen, cooked (3/4 cup) 540
Pork, tenderloin, cooked (3 ounces) 370
Avocado (1/4 medium) 260
Flounder, cooked (3 oz) 290
Beef, round, cooked (3 oz) 300
Blackberries (1 cup) 280
Pink salmon, unsalted, canned (3 oz) 275
Tomato, fresh (1 medium) 273
Strawberries, sliced (1 cup) 275
Turkey, unprocessed, roasted (3 oz) 205
Chicken, roasted (3 oz) 205
Tuna, water-packed, unsalted (1/2 cup) 180

Copied from http://www.livingheart.com/dietreso...h_potassium.asp , with high carb foods omitted.

...so be sure to be eating enough of the veggies and unprocessed stuff.

I get the same foot cramps occasionally. Quite painful. I usually get them after drinking alcohol and not following it up with enough water.

Thanks, Kristine for that listing!

I have upped my h20 intake and have bought some potassium supplements. The last two days have been cramp-free (but my fingers are crossed!)

I think the scary part is that they come on so suddenly one night and continued every night after!!! I think too, that since the weather has been so hot, I really should have been drinking even more water than my usual.

I really love this website! Everyone here is so helpful! Thanks again to everybody!

I am curious why you are on Herbalife Green & Beige. If you are doing low-carb, you should be doing the Herbalife Gold Plan, and taking Herbalife Gold instead.

I was reading a book (I believe it was Living Low Carb) and the author took Herbalife Green and Beige to help with the weight loss. I bought a couple of bottles of each and began taking them. Actually, I just finished them and did not order any more - I've got new drugs I am taking now!

I have started taking Potassium a week ago and my feet cramps have just about ended
Only cramps I have had has been in the arch of my left foot, and it was very mild. I think it is helping out!!!

I used to get cramps a few years ago, just like you are describing...

Sharp, sharp cramps... it used to feel like my leg was being crushed. I figured out it was happening when I'd run out of vitamins.

I have had some energy problems a couple of times since I started doing low carb religiously (i.e. not dabbling in it) since 6/29. The first time, I had to add potassium and calcium. The second time was recently; it started 2 weeks ago and ended last week. I had run out of my multivitamin and hadn't re-supplied myself. I thought what I was taking was enough, but it wasn't. I bought the Mega Man vitamin from GNC, and also added a couple of things I hadn't yet - beta carotene and Vitamin E - after recommendations I found here. That did the trick - I feel great again!