Severe leg cramping in the night - General Health Message Board

brida · 05-31-2008, 04:44 PM

I have been having severe leg cramps in both of my calves for the last several nights. They wake me up and last several minutes. It feels like someone is pulling my muscle away from my bone.

I haven't been doing anything usual as far as excersize or activity goes.
What can I do to make them stop!?

Lindaru · 05-31-2008, 05:27 PM

As long as you are not pregnant, drink about five or six ounces of tonic water before bed time (over time you will be able to adjust the amount upwards or downwards as suits you). Tonic water contains quinine which stops leg cramping. When we sleep, we tend to cut off circulation in our legs which causes the muscles to cramp. The quinine evens this out.

If you absolutely cannot stand the taste of tonic water, check with your pharmacy about quinine pills.

Lindaru

brida · 05-31-2008, 06:20 PM

How soon would this type of symptom show up in a pregnancy?
If I am pregnant, I would only be a couple weeks a long--- I had my period 2 weeks ago.
I will try the Tonic water. Can I get it at my regular grocery store?

bethsheba · 05-31-2008, 06:32 PM

Legs cramps that you describe have often been attributed to an electrolyte imbalance which heavy sweating, dehydration, an improper diet, or the stomach flu can bring about.

Potassium, calcium, and magnesium need to be in a certain ratio to meet the body's daily requirements and to prevent leg cramps. Eating enough fruits and veggies can correct the problem as long as it isn't due to the body's inability to absorb some of these nutrients.

Bethsheba

Lindaru · 05-31-2008, 07:31 PM

Brida . . . you can get the tonic water at any grocery store.

If you are early in pregnancy, it should be okay but complications can occur later on. Check with your doctor if the tonic water does not work or if you think you may be pregnant.

Bethsheba . . . how would we be able to find out if we are imbalanced or not absorbing? A lot of women in my husband's family and myself have had this happen to us with the night time only leg cramps. One doctor told one of my in-laws that it was a circulation thing related to position at night.

If we could cure this another way (husband gets these, too, but refuses to do either tonic water or quinine), that would be great.

Lindaru