Leg cramps while sleeping

[fish-fighting-illini]

 If I stretch my legs completely out I've got about a 90 + % chance of getting a calf cramp. Probably right leg more so(?)I always assumed it was from umpiring and fatigue but I haven't umpired for years and still get them.

  This has been going on for probably almost 30 years

It is not totally limited to sleeping. I'll get one now and then during the day and lets just say that an occasional one happens at a really inopportune time     :-?

Does anyone else have this problem?

[SirSnookalot]

exact same thing for about as long.

no remedy that I have found, used to load up magnesium and calcium but didn't help.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

A banana a day keeps the doctor away

[bilgerat]

A banana a day keeps the doctor away

Yup, that's it. The potassium will help. I get charley horses that bring me to tears. They get me in the middle of the night.

Another wive's tale I've heard that helps is drinking the juice from a pickle jar  

[skillet]

 I've had that problem off and on and it wasn't the exercise itself, it was the sweating. I don't perspire, I SWEAT. Lose large amounts of potassium through the sweating. Now, I start eating bananas and oranges. It helps. Another old wives tale, put bar of Dial soap under bottom sheet at the foot of the bed. Have heard it really helps some folks :-/. Haven't had to go that far myself. Good Luck with the problem...

skillet

[fish-fighting-illini]

 Thanks guys I at least feel a little more "normal" about it.

I eat a banana for lunch several days a week but haven't noticed much change effect over the years.

 I pretty much just learned to avoid the "big stretch" during the night.

My calf still hurts from last night's.

I'll probably find out my wife has been slugging my calf for years!

[uicdent11]

Do some calf stretches throughout the day. I use the curb next to a stop sign when I walk the dog. Find something study such as the front landing some people have on their houses, curb, or any other incline you may have within a short walk from your house. You could also buy something online. Just search calf stretchers. Most likely you could make something similar for pretty pretty cheap.

I would second the potassium, but I would add " drink plenty of water". Cramping and actually headaches can be related to lack of water intake.

Also, are you stretching your legs in the bed pointing your toes down?

[fish-fighting-illini]

Do some calf stretches throughout the day. I use the curb next to a stop sign when I walk the dog. Find something study such as the front landing some people have on their houses, curb, or any other incline you may have within a short walk from your house. You could also buy something online. Just search calf stretchers. Most likely you could make something similar for pretty pretty cheap.

I would second the potassium, but I would add " drink plenty of water". Cramping and actually headaches can be related to lack of water intake.

Also, are you stretching your legs in the bed pointing your toes down?

Uic I'm familiar with the calf stretch during a previous knee ligament episode.

I do drink lots of fluids but good advice anyway. I never knew about the headache connection.

As far as the toes at first I thought yes then the more I thought maybe not. Post is a little confusing; generally I'm on my back or side and I don't think it is always pointing toes even just fully extending my leg in general. At least I think so who knows I'm generally asleep.

[South FLA]

ummm, water!  Most people don't get enough and are dehydrated.

Here are some more options:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/night-leg-cramps/MY00410/DSECTION=causes

[uicdent11]

When you stretch you leg next time, try to remember to point your toes up. You don't have to be on your back, even if you are on your side it will still work. When you stretch out and your leg, the tendency is to point your toes downward which actually contracts your calf muscle.

The toes pointing up is a little awkward at first, but will keep it from cramping. Why it is cramping may be another problem in itself. Give it a try and see how it works for ya.

[Shad_Master]

I've had this same problem for about the same length of time - I have three suggestions - two of which have already been mentioned:

1) Pottasium - if I feel the cramps comming on in the evening, I take two tablets - sometimes helps

2) water - can't get enough of it

3) check with your Dr. about restless leg sydrome - I did and he gave me a prescritpion that is a miracle drug - after taking, I had the first night's sleep w/o a cramp in probably 20 years

[Long Mike]

I've also suffered with leg cramps for years.  I do the potassium and water thing, but I've also learned not to tuck in the sheets at the foot of the bed.  Another recent discovery is to keep my legs warm at night.  This time of year I normally have only a sheet covering my torso, but my legs have a thick blanket covering them.  It seems to help.

[NewAngler]

my 3 year old used to get them almost everynight.

we did three things--

more bananas

different daily vitamins

apple juice.

she still gets them, but its usually on days we forget one of the three...

[Tin]

I get them but it is usually after a few long days on the water and is always the leg I don't use to control the trolling motor. I was getting them last week but now I'm fine.

[1inStripes]

Drink pickle juice.

[tnbassfisher]

Honestly, I have never been happier to find a thread topic on the internet. I have been getting these a ton lately, and can't figure out why.

[gator1968]

If you don't have high blood pressure problems, try salt suppliment pills. You can get them at most pharmacies. The pills have sodium chloride and potassium chloride in them. They help you retain water in your muscles and keep the cramps down. It really helps me, I sweat like a ----- in church. ;)

[Little Luey]

I had them when I lived in Chicago, no more since living in Arizona, coincidence? maybe, maybe not. I suspect something with the temperature and humidity.

I used to eat bananas and drink lost of water. I don't know if it helped or not but I noticed when I have my legs under covers I don't get them, but when my legs where out I would get them. Anyone sees the same?

[3H]

I used to get calf cramps ALL the time when I was stretching out at night.

Then I started running A LOT and stretching A LOT right before a bed and they went away, as soon as I stopped working out. They started coming back.

[fish-fighting-illini]

I finally did find out that it was always when I pointed my toes.

  Now I just avoid pointing my toes and it seems like they are greatly reduced or gone altogether.

[bocabasser]

i have restless leg syndrom also known as peripheral neuropathy. i have had the problem for about 15 years now and i medicate each night to get to sleep. i did a sleep study after agonizing for years. i tried the banana thing, i also tried quianine as well to no avail. i am not sure if that is what you have, but it sucks when you cannot get to sleep.

[Nine Miler]

i have restless leg syndrom also known as peripheral neuropathy. i have had the problem for about 15 years now and i medicate each night to get to sleep. i did a sleep study after agonizing for years. i tried the banana thing, i also tried quianine as well to no avail. i am not sure if that is what you have, but it sucks when you cannot get to sleep.

Nah, them's the "Jimmy Legs"

[OHIO]

i have restless leg syndrom also known as peripheral neuropathy. i have had the problem for about 15 years now and i medicate each night to get to sleep. i did a sleep study after agonizing for years. i tried the banana thing, i also tried quianine as well to no avail. i am not sure if that is what you have, but it sucks when you cannot get to sleep.

Nah, them's the "Jimmy Legs"

A great Seinfeld episode.  ;D ;D ;D

[fish-fighting-illini]

i have restless leg syndrom also known as peripheral neuropathy. i have had the problem for about 15 years now and i medicate each night to get to sleep. i did a sleep study after agonizing for years. i tried the banana thing, i also tried quianine as well to no avail. i am not sure if that is what you have, but it sucks when you cannot get to sleep.

Nah I go to sleep fine I just get woke up on occasion with a cramp. I think they all happen when I go to stretch my legs our but hard to really tell as I'm sleeping. I've noticed when I was awake enough to tell that it is always when I point my toes.

Man Little Luey's post about Chicago vs Arizona really surprised me. Hard to beat that for evidence. Evidence of what I'm not sure but it says something, humiduty? temperature? who knows.

[GLADES]

Take a nice 1-2 mile walk in the evening. Eat bananas, vitamins, and drink lots of water. A hot shower before bed also helps.