leg cramp update

 you may be in the "normal range" but boy are you close to being to low.

I bet you need it to be higher to feel a difference. Mine was 4.0 and I had the bad calf cramps. My PCP did not hesitate to give me a Rx.

I'd bug the PCP if it where me.

Sounds like a plan.

~Becky

Becky,
How much calcium do you take as well ? PCP said Pot and Calcium has more to do with the cramps than magnesium, although mag is important well.  I have heard other long timers on occasion mention calcium as well. I am now up to 4000 mg of calcium citrate, plus what's in the multi-vit

So I really do not know which one helped the cramps, but I am glad they are only mild now instead of the WAKE ME - CRAMP like h*ll type of cramp.

Hey Ginger,

I take 3600 of calcium minimum.  I am doubling my magnesium citrate starting today and if that doesn't do it I will get on prescription potassium.

I usually don't have problems unless I sweat a lot during the day or drink more than one small diet coke with caffeine.

I'm glad you are doing better!

~Becky

 Ginger,       
               I found it took about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt twice a day to make my cramps totally leave, but they haven't returned    I just put it in my hand and licked it, then drank some water and tea behind it... it also makes a good home-made gatorade with Koolaid unsweetened, if you want to make your own with splenda, and I do this often...because I am in a humid area.
         ...and also an area where there are not too many PCP's... My Mom has een seeking someone to change to  and the nearest one with a cardiology background is 70 miles away...and practices 3 or 4 days a week...here that translates to about 1 hr and 35 min drive, because of the route to get there..So I feel the pain also of having  few limited medical care.
      I also began  to suppliment with a different magnesium,( a few days later) 250 mg  twice a day, but the cramps stopped after the sea salt and before the magnesium was added.

Ginger, in my pre DS life, I used to get those same middle-of-night-made-me-scream cramps.  Adding calcium always worked.

Thanks Jenny ! upping the calcium did help, although I upped it all at once. I know I should of done it individually, but the cramps HURT and I need them gone ! 

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. Just get this freakin thing fixed.

If you're up for experimenting a little now, post DS, potassium seems to help me with kind of general leg fatigue (as opposed to the screaming night pains.) And mag citrate seems to help with foot pain.

I've heard of the pickle juice cure, I'll have to try it some time....

 Ginger I had leg cramps at the onset of summer.  My pcp told me to add  sea salt to all my drinks...it replaces the magnesium and the potassium in balance and has stopped my cramps.
          I just add it to my Koolaid or tea...but it is absorbed quickest in   warm coffee....also dill pickle juice is high in potassium and sometimes it will stop cramps as well.

Hmm, that is interesting. I crave salt, always have ! I can do that easily and see what happens. I do use extra salt on foods already, I will just switch it all to sea salt !