why so many cramps????

Recently I have been experiencing many leg cramps, especially at night. I am getting in all of my vits., water and about 1000 cals a day. I have not done much differently lately, except added more weights to my lifting program. I never had this problem until about 1 month ago. The cramps are waking me up at night and are quite painful. Let me know if you have any thoughts as to why they have started, and what I should do about it. Thanks!!!

I will preface this by writing that you should check with your doctor...however, I also experienced leg cramps and found that I had a potassium deficiency. I now take potassium and try to choke down a banana daily (pre-op loved bananas...5 years post op still don't love 'em). Also, I was told that due to my heavy exercise I should be sure to drink lots and lots of water. I drink ~64 oz. daily. I am not sure which remedied the leg cramps...I continue to do both.

I have a Nov. 1st appt. with my DR however I was just curious what people on this forum would suggest. Thanks for the reminder on potassium. I heard that before, but forgot about it.

I've always had cramps, but lately they seem to be much worse. I have them something awful in my toes, calves and inside my thighs. Mine are always at night. Some nights I have to get up 6-9 times to walk the cramps out. Someone else mentioned water but I ALWAYS drink my water. Sometimes I wonder if I drink too much, thus washing the potassium out of my body. I will be following this to see if you get a good answer.

I asked the same question a week or so ago and someone suggested potassium. Since I've added a daily potassium supplement, they seem to have stopped. At least for the time being!!!

Oh yes...I forgot about quinine water! That was also prescribed when I had leg cramps. You can find sugar free quinine which is not half bad. Karen

thanks for the info everyone. I'm going to check into these suggestions ASAP so I can hopefully get some sleep at night!!!