Causes and Remedies for Muscle Cramps

cPT_Helice

I am so tired of the muscle cramps and they hurt like heck plus the leg and foot cramps keep me up at night. I am taking calcium, magnesium, working on keeping my potassium up there and drink plenty of fluids. Plus, I eat mainly veggies and fruits so get plenty of hydration. I know warm baths help and stretching, etc. But, who wants to jump into a bath a few times a night, when they are suppose to be sleeping. My toes actually contort and it takes so much effort to straighten them out..... hands will do the same.
Any advice here? Causes that are out of the ordinary or solutions?

2fit4fat

Wow bumping for you ive never had cramps like this.. I stretch after a workout for quite awhile no matter what it was.. The usually take a bath

AnnaPixie

Wow! Never heard of cramping that bad! Have you seen a Dr? They will take blood tests and find what if you're deficient in anything. Plus check out other causes......

Good luck :flowerforyou:

cPT_Helice

I've mentioned it to docs in the past but it was like they didn't hear me. You know.... I just get a nod and an "aha" and not even any words. I have my physical in a couple weeks with a new doc and will mention it to her. I've been severely deficient in potassium in the past, to the point of having to not only take it prescription strength but also via IV. But, I was dehydrated then and I am not now. Plus, I really watch my potassium intake and do take a supplement. I was also low in D3, which is like most women out there but take a supplement and my levels have been good now. So, I don't know. I just keep hearing calcium and I don't do a lot of dairy but I get a lot of calcium in leafy veggies and take a supplement. Maybe still not enough??
I use to get these cramps, when I was pregnant and they were almost unbearable then. But not for years after until the past couple. I don't know.

rjt1000

I suffered with severe cramps in my calf muscles for a long time. Docs through blood clots, compartment syndrome, etc. etc. Then they focused on my back. I have some minor narrowing of the spinal column in lower back. So they suggested "exploratory surgery". Yeah, right. Screw that.

Stretching and losing 30 pounds and I don't have issues anymore. Make sure you're sleeping well and that your bed isn't causing issues with your back. STRETCH before and after workouts. Intense massage of the muscles to help break up the knots. Heat.

kleighsamboer

Hi! My hubby has the same problem. you should be taking vitamin d along with the calcium and magnesium other wise they won't take. you also need to make sure that the magnesium is not just magnesium oxide. our bodies don't absorb oxide so it is doing nothing for you. try nature's made at fred meyer. that is what i take. it costs about 10.00 per bottle and you can get the one that had calcium and vit. d in it already. any magnesium that you take should have more than 1 type of magnesium in it to be effective. you should also be taking some potassium or eating more bananas until the cramps are under control. hope this helps!

cPT_Helice

Hi! My hubby has the same problem. you should be taking vitamin d along with the calcium and magnesium other wise they won't take. you also need to make sure that the magnesium is not just magnesium oxide. our bodies don't absorb oxide so it is doing nothing for you. try nature's made at fred meyer. that is what i take. it costs about 10.00 per bottle and you can get the one that had calcium and vit. d in it already. any magnesium that you take should have more than 1 type of magnesium in it to be effective. you should also be taking some potassium or eating more bananas until the cramps are under control. hope this helps!

Thanks! I am eating a banana every day now AND tons of dark green leafy plus a supplement to get in the potassium. On the days I do long runs, I also drink coconut water to load up even more on potassium. I take D3 along with Ca and Mg plus my multi to get the other complex D vitamins. And nope.... not Mg oxide and I take all supplements with the proper foods to get max absorption. Unless I am really low on something and the supplements aren't even enough to bring it up, I don't think it's the mentioned ones.
Also, I never get cramps when working out (except once in a while a toe cramp when cycling), ALWAYS stretch really good before and after plus use a foam roller. My weight, BMI, body fat %, waist circumference are all good. My BP, RHR, fasting gluc & cholesterol levels are all excellent.... ridiculously low even.
Argh!!!