For the millionth time...What to do about leg cramps!?

OK, so I have seen this topic posted a million times...I am having leg cramps sooo bad at night.  I thought I was dehydrated (as I have been in the past) or needed more potassium. 

So, it got so bad last night I drank a couple glasses of water...no help.  Ate a banana, no help.  Went to bed...woke up with cramps...drank more water.  No help.  Wake up this morning to leg cramps.  I have drank two large glasses of water this a.m. and legs still feel they could cramp up if I move them just wrong.

The cramps are more in my ankles actually.  Make my toes curl upwards, pulls my foot upwards.

I just don't get it!!  Anyone have any advice??

Thanks in advance.

Anna

Okay this may sound wierd but try this: put any bar of soap between your bedsheets at the foot of your bed. It's something about the lye in the soap that helps with leg cramps. Just try it, couldn't hurt. Good luck.

Hi Anna. I dont know if this helps, but I will pass on any advise I can give..

I suffer from restless leg syndrom, and it also makes my toes go up, basically moves my leg and I have this nasty crawly feeling, and no way of sleeping....  I found a solution that might sound totally un-medical, but I swear it helps!!  When I feel the symptoms starting, I get up and have a tablespoon full of peanut butter, and slowly eat it of the spoon. Then I go back to bed, and for some reason the PB puts me right to sleep.... like I said, I have no idea WHY this helps, but it does...
is it a deficiancy of a certain fat that causes the cramps? I dont know.  But it always helps for me.

I wish You the best, Karin

It is good that you remembered the dehydration and drank some water.  But as for the potassium, if it is the cause 1 banana will not do it.   Some of us have to take prescription Potassium supplements on a daily basis.  It might not hurt to check with your Dr, either PCP or surgeon and ask to have your potassium levels checked.

I would hate to see you like me, my body just won't keep potassium and I hate the darned pills!

 ANNA
     IF YOU DRINK SODA,,LIKE I DID A COUPLE OF TIMES,( NOT EVERYDAY) ,MY LEGS CRAMPED UP ON THOSE TIMES I DRANK SODA JUST LIKE YOU DESCRIBED,,I MENTIONED IT TO MY NURSE , I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS DEHYDRATED AND LOW ON POTASSIUM TOO BUT I WAS WRONG,,THE DAYS THAT I DON'T DRINK SODA MY LEGS DONT CRAMP UP///SHE SAID ITS THE CARBONATION THAT CAUSES IT ,,YOUR BODY DOSENT ABSORB CALCIUM WITH THE CARBONATION...HOPE THIS HELPS...I FEEL YOUR PAIN,,THEY HURT BIG TIME.......NO MORE SODA FOR ME.............BE STRONG AND BE KIND TO YOURSELF............WENDY

time for a blood test with your surgeon...
they will check your potassium and calcium

i was having horrible leg cramps and thought it was lack of potassium--little did i know it was from lack of calcium--ONLY your doctor can know for sure...

All the best!

if its anything like charlie horses then potassium (sp?) would do the trick... start eating bannanas or take a supplement

you have to be very careful i thought mine were lack of potassium and had some issues --blood test are the only way to know for sure.

Hi Anna

I suffer from leg cramps nearly daily and have since in my early teens. Between the tendonitis, RLS and other factors including the lovely potasium dips I've tried everything under the sun. My doctors finally said try quinine tablets it seems to lessen the blows but doesnt stop them totally for me. Also I find going for a walk before bedtime and doing some stretching helps some nights. not all but sometimes and I'll take any kind of relief.

Ask your doctor about the quinine i think thats how its spelled.

Dawn

I get that a lot, too. What helps me is to supplement with magnesium citrate and potassium.