leg cramps (was: Re: Salt)

[Guest guest]

on 3/9/2005 12:47 PM, at crjohnr@... wrote:

> I won't dig up the links because I don't find it credible and didn't save it.

> People have reported success with placing a bar of

> soap under the blankets near their legs to prevent night cramps.

>

Thanks. We did have a discussion on leg cramps on Feb 21/22 2004. Strangely

at the time you didn't weigh in on the subject (or else I overlooked your

post(s). I was the one who initiated it because I was having them. But Vit

D was not one of the proposed causes. Here are the posts:

From :

My wife has also been experiencing this. I used to get them during periods

of extreme caloric restriction combined with alot of exercise (running).

Some info:

Rest Cramps. Night cramps and other rest cramps can often be prevented by

regular stretching exercises, particularly if done before going to bed. Even

the simple calf stretching maneuver (described in the first paragraph of the

section on treatment), if held for 10 to 15 seconds, and repeated two or

three times just before going to bed will often be a great help in

preventing cramps, usually within a week or two. The maneuver can be

repeated each time the person gets up to go to the bathroom during the

night, and also during the day once or twice. It may also help to avoid

flexing the foot and pointing one's toes while in bed. If nocturnal leg

cramps are severe and recurrent, a foot board allows the sufferer to

simulate walking even while recumbent, and may prevent awkward positioning

of the feet during sleep.

Another important aspect of prevention of night cramps is adequate calcium

and magnesium. Blood levels may not be sufficiently sensitive to accurately

reflect what is actually happening at the tissue surfaces where the

hyperexcitability of the nerve is occurs. Calcium intake of at least 1 gram

daily is reasonable, and 1.5 grams may be appropriate, particularly for

women with osteoporosis. An extra dose of calcium at bedtime may help

prevent cramps.

Supplemental magnesium may be very beneficial for some, particularly if the

person has a magnesium deficiency. However, added magnesium can be very

hazardous for persons who have difficulty eliminating magnesium, as happens

with kidney insufficiency. The vigorous use of diuretics usually increases

magnesium loss, and high levels of calcium intake (and therefore of calcium

excretion) tend to increase magnesium excretion. Magnesium is present in

many foods (greens, grains, meat and fish, bananas, apricots, nuts, and

soybeans) and some laxatives and antacids, but a supplemental dose of 50 to

100 milligrams of magnesium daily may be appropriate. Splitting the dose and

taking a portion several times during the day minimizes the tendency to

diarrhea that magnesium can cause.

Vitamin E has also been said to help minimize cramp occurrence. Scientific

studies documenting this effect are lacking, but anecdotal reports are

common and sometimes quite enthusiastic. Since vitamin E is thought to have

other beneficial health effects and is not toxic in usual doses, taking 400

units of vitamin E daily is approved, recognizing that documentation on its

effect on cramps is lacking.

Older adults should have periodic magnesium blood levels taken if they use

supplemental magnesium. Even a mild and otherwise not apparent degree of

kidney dysfunction, which is often seen in this age group, may lead to toxic

levels of magnesium with modest doses.

Recent studies have indicated that vitamin D (a vitamin required for the

normal absorption of calcium from food) deficiency is common in some elderly

individuals. Consequently, vitamin D replacement is important for these

people, taking appropriate care to avoid excessive vitamin D levels, as

these are toxic. An intake of 800 units of vitamin D daily is likely to be

fully adequate; at least 400 units daily is generally recommended

From Medicinenet:

http://www.medicinenet.com/Muscle_Cramps/page1.htm

________________________________

From :

I also have night time charley horses, they will wake me up out of a

sound sleep in so much pain I already have the tears in my eyes before

I am even awake!

Mine are centered in the top of my feet and toes, although it seems

all the muscles below my knees are involved and my muscles are sore

for days each time this happens. In researching this I've read to add

any or all of the following... magnesium, Vitamin E, calcium,

potassium, quinine, and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Also I've read that peppermint for some reason can lessen the cramping.

For me, I've added more calcium, magnesium, potassium, make sure I am

drinking plenty of water, and drink peppermint tea as I'd rather drink

this than anything with quinine in it!

Also I am doing additional stretching at bed time which I think is

helping a lot and the best advise I can give that has helped me the

most is that I use my herbal heat pack and place it on my feet when I

go to bed and re-heat it any time I get up at night. This is the best

comfort and also helps to relieve the cramps when/if they occur.

I notice when I increase my daily exercise I will have more cramping

until the muscles adjust, but boy these cramps are sure uncomfortable!

Hope this helps...

----------------------------------------------

From Peg:

In a message dated 2/22/2004 7:33:58 AM Pacific Standard Time,

fskelton@... writes:

I took some " E " and " D " yesterday (cod liver oil) - no leg cramps last

night. So far, so good.

Francesca, should they return, you might consider getting your electrolytes

checked. Large amounts of leafy greens create quite a diahresis (sp), and

that can flush out potassium along with sodium and calcium. It may not have

any bearing, of course. Peg

_______________________

From :

Hi Francesca,

For what its worth...I had terrible cramps for quite a while. I took

supplements and they didn't help. It eventually got so bad that I went to

the emergency room one night.

Well, to make a long story short, my Thyroid had quit on me. Apparently

cramps is one of the symptoms of low TH. There were other symptems also,

fluid retension, high bloodpressure (which I found out at the ER), sluggish

motor control and general weekness...but my thyroid had completely shut

down. Cramps was the earliest symptom for me.

So, if the cramps continue or get worse, you might want to have a doctor

check your TH4 and TSH levels. Just a thought...

Michele & Gillie

Conneaut, Ohio

http://www.geocities.com/dogmatic3/

http://www.geocities.com/dogmatic32nd/