Guess I better go get some Potassium too then huh.

Thanks!

I feel very fortunate that I dont suffer from this problem... Hope I never do... mind you, I usually drink about 3 liters or water a day. However, my daughter used to suffer badly when she was younger. She'd wake screaming thru the night... she got it especially bad if she was very hot and had lost body fluid perspiring...

I am not sure what nutrients to suggest... (seems it has been covered by others tho) but we were advised by our Dr to put a pinch of salt under her tounge and for her to immediately stand on a cold floor. It worked for her and because it was mainly when she perspired, water might have been an issue. She kept a little salt by her bed for fast action

Good luck with it.

Another thing my doctor suggested was to stretch your calf muscles before sleeping. Stand on a step (or thick book) and lower your heels about 10 times. I still have problems even with lots of calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Strangely, I had no problems at all for about 2 weeks after surgery even though I remained LC throughout. I still haven't figured out why.

One word: WATER

I used to get leg cramps...not just the kind that involve the muscle behind the leg (like most people I know) but a muscle in front...and one that intertwines the calf. Immediate release from those cramps depend on quick action...and knowing which way to angle your leg for best results. Back of leg -- stand up and stretch by walking. Front of leg -- point toe sharply and grasp heel until pain is nearly gone. Intertwining -- difficult to determine, because the muscle is in several positions.

I've heard many remedies....calcium, magnesium, potassium, Vitamin E, sublingual quinine, some herbs, but the only consistent thing that worked for me was....lots and lots of WATER!!!!!!

I have to agree with everyone that loss of potassium is most likely the problem. However, like Karen mentioned, Potassium plays a huge role in your heart function. Be careful about taking to much. The best thing if possible would be to get potassium levels checked and have your Doc prescribe a dose.

There are many foods with potassium in them which I think is a much safer way of getting it then taking supplements.

Potassium was the answer for me too.
Havent had them since.

yup totally agree on the Calcium, Magnesium, and potassium along with your other vitamins. Back in January I started experiencing them every night. I would wake in the middle of the night and scream my head off. What a rude awakening for hubby and my furry kids. The all looked dazed and confused when I started yelling at all odd hours of the night.

The above 3 supplements will do you a world of good. And don't forget Water Water Water!

Dewi

I had this problem and I solved it by adding more avocado to my diet. 1 Medium sized avocado has over 1200mg of Potassium. They also are a good source of Vitamin A and C. You just can't get that kind of potassium from a supplement.

I used to wake up every night with leg cramps, sometimes 2-3 times. I was on a diuretic at the time which I am positive was the reason. It was the potassium-sparing kind and I still got them. I'd get them in the front muscles too and my foot would curl up involuntarily towards my shin, it was terrible. Sometimes my toes would also cramp up and curl, those were the worst. My DH would run into the room to find me on the floor, sobbing! I can really feel your pain.
I would recommend this, if you are on a diuretic, find a way to get off! (Low carbing acts as a diuretic, that's why I think you get them more while low carbing) Take calcium, magnesium, and potassium as suggested previously. Light salt was suggested to me.
Be very careful about stretching. the ones I get most happen after I stretch my leg muscles out while sleeping! It seems odd, I know.
B complex vitamins has also been suggested. Here's the article:
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/news/v...513,823,00.html

I hope you can get rid of them soon, they are just awful.

Sheri

Hi Sheri,

I found that the stretching I did before I went to sleep had an entirely different effect than that stretching that causes leg cramps once in bed. I don't know why but that's my experience. And I found the worst ones were not the ones in the toes and calves but in the thighs. At least with the calves and toes, you can walk them out. The thighs feel like knives cutting you - you cannot possibly stand up straight with that pain.