Calf cramps while sleeping... VERY painful!!

yaddayaddayadda
yaddayaddayadda Posts: 430 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have had severe calf cramps while sleeping twice during the past week. They are so painful that they wake me out of a sound sleep. Today, my leg is still sore from the one I had last night, so I am taking the day off from exercising.

I typically walk 6 - 8 miles four to five days a week, and in addition, I do Vinyassa Yoga three to four times per week.

I am not sure what is causing these cramps, but I would appreciate any advice on what can be done to avoid them that you may have.

THANKS!!!
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Replies

  • beccala18
    beccala18 Posts: 293 Member
    It's possible you aren't getting enough water. Whenever I get these kinds of cramps, I am dehydrated to some extent. Try getting in some extra water, especially now in the summer. Hopefully it'll ease up soon!
  • Four_Leaf_Clover
    Four_Leaf_Clover Posts: 332 Member
    Sounds like charlie horse? I am guessing low potassium? I had these when pregnant - would wake up screaming. I found that if I ate a banana (or substitute any other decent potassium containing food) near bedtime and stretched my calves before bed, they went away. They can also be exacerbated if you are not getting enough hydration. That's my 2 cents anyhow!
  • cestlafete
    cestlafete Posts: 71 Member
    I used to have this happen all the time when I was younger, and often limped a bit for a day or so after. I second the potassium + water thing.
  • cait0902
    cait0902 Posts: 127 Member
    I suggest water as well. I use to get those pains and it was HELL! SInce drinking more water, A LOT more, I can't remember the last time I had one....thank goodness!! Good luck!
  • beccas27
    beccas27 Posts: 200 Member
    Def sounds like low potassium... Take a pill daily or eat more foods with it in them.. I had the same problem :)
  • erxkeel
    erxkeel Posts: 553 Member
    Hell yes! hurts like a %^%*%!!! mine actually hurt for weeks after a BAD one. I drink more water now, and I eat Nana's and Sweet Potatoes more now =)
  • rugbyphreak
    rugbyphreak Posts: 509 Member
    i get these all the time! i hope someone has a solution because waking up 3-4 times a month in this much pain sucks...
  • Moxie42
    Moxie42 Posts: 1,400 Member
    Agreed! Up the water intake and try eating a banana each day.
  • Rumpenissen
    Rumpenissen Posts: 20 Member
    Sounds like a charlie horse, like someone else mentioned. Yeah, they are very painful! Try googling it for some advice.
  • yaddayaddayadda
    yaddayaddayadda Posts: 430 Member
    Thanks for your responses... I am drinking water, and I just ate a banana:-)

    Hoping that tonight is better:-)
  • kbc525
    kbc525 Posts: 149
    ok don't think i'm crazy but my fiance's danish grandmother swears swears swears by putting a bar of soap under the fitted sheet of your bed by your feet.

    and the people she gave theis advice to.. it's worked for them as well..

    she leaves it there.. forgets all about it and only recalls it being there when she changes the sheets.. i know... odd.
  • ErinBeth7
    ErinBeth7 Posts: 1,625 Member
    I agree. Water is a good answer. I used to have these severe cramps too. They are the worst.
  • LPCoder
    LPCoder Posts: 404 Member
    I used to get leg cramps whenever I ate Asparagus. Did you have asparagus recently?
  • Dawners98
    Dawners98 Posts: 120 Member
    Bananas, bananas, bananas! The cramps are often due to a lack of potassium. I used to get these charlie horses and they are killer. Also, if you feel one starting, jump out of bed and stand straight up (you may want to balance yourself on the bed or something, though!). At first it's painful, but I find that it relaxes the muscle faster than writhing around in bed does! Not to mention it's always taken less time to 'heal' that way, too - as in I have less pain in fewer days than if I let the cramp run its course, so to speak. And I've dealt with them my entire life.
  • taylorromanyk
    taylorromanyk Posts: 62
    This was happening to me too, until I started drinking more water. :)
  • tripitena
    tripitena Posts: 554 Member
    I've been told it's not enough water and also that potassium could be an issue. Honestly, I have no real advice on how to avoid them but when you get one, pull your toes back (up). I know I cant think straight when it happens and have to pull them up with my hand rather than just flexing the muscle. Rubbing it when its happening just seems to make it even more torturous.
  • AmyFett
    AmyFett Posts: 1,607 Member
    potassium!
  • Roseisadreamer
    Roseisadreamer Posts: 110
    in response to the water ideas - my doctor has said you can get these cramps from either drinking too much or too little water! is there ever a happy medium?! :P
  • KyleB65
    KyleB65 Posts: 1,196 Member
    I used to get these when I worked as a waiter/bartender.

    I suggest, drink lots of water and eat a banana.

    I have no science to back this up! It is just something that was suggested to me years ago that worked immediately.
  • yaddayaddayadda
    yaddayaddayadda Posts: 430 Member
    I used to get leg cramps whenever I ate Asparagus. Did you have asparagus recently?

    No Asparagus lately, but I do eat it often. I don't think this was caused by asparagus, but thanks for the response:-)
  • Nailrep
    Nailrep Posts: 966 Member
    potassium problem. drink omre water and take some potassium. Bananas help with this.
  • lkm111
    lkm111 Posts: 629 Member
    Saw this on "The Chew" (I think) last week. Pickle juice! There is even a company that is marketing single "shots" of it!
  • jillybeanruns
    jillybeanruns Posts: 1,420 Member
    Electrolyte imbalance. The big 3 - sodium, potassium and magnesium. I imagine you get enough sodium in your diet, so potassium and magnesium are likely the culprit. I was having the same problem and getting enough potassium. I started taking magnesium every day and I maybe get one every 4 months - before it was nearly every night. Hydration is never a bad thing either.
  • rlboles
    rlboles Posts: 3
    I also get those. I use to get them when I was pregnant but they just started back. I thought maybe because I just started jogging. Pottassium and Water. Feel better soon!
    :smile:
  • lowry12
    lowry12 Posts: 74 Member
    low potassium try eating a banana works for me the water thing idk bout that i drink almost a gallon of water a day and i still get em every now and then
  • steelerwheeler
    steelerwheeler Posts: 32
    I had the same problem and then my doctor recommended a supplement that had calcium, magnesium and zinc. One vitamin with all 3 in it and I haven't had ANY leg cramps in 7 months. I take 2 pills every morning and their very reasonable. A generic at any pharmacy runs between $6-$8. I had them as bad as you did and they would wake me out of a sound sleep....but not anymore. :)
  • LastMinuteMama
    LastMinuteMama Posts: 590 Member
    Sounds like charlie horse? I am guessing low potassium? I had these when pregnant - would wake up screaming. I found that if I ate a banana (or substitute any other decent potassium containing food) near bedtime and stretched my calves before bed, they went away. They can also be exacerbated if you are not getting enough hydration. That's my 2 cents anyhow!

    ^ This exactly!
  • yaddayaddayadda
    yaddayaddayadda Posts: 430 Member
    I had the same problem and then my doctor recommended a supplement that had calcium, magnesium and zinc. One vitamin with all 3 in it and I haven't had ANY leg cramps in 7 months. I take 2 pills every morning and their very reasonable. A generic at any pharmacy runs between $6-$8. I had them as bad as you did and they would wake me out of a sound sleep....but not anymore. :)

    Thanks! I will look into this!
  • senyosmom
    senyosmom Posts: 613 Member
    no clue why but this happened to me ALL the time while I was pregnant (closer to the end). Hurt like a *itch!
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Three things come to mind...

    Might be your walking stride that's causing the muscles to cramp? Make sure you stretch REALLY well after your walks and maybe even do a heat/ice treatment to help relax the muscle. When I started walking longer/faster, I would get really bad pains in my hamstrings - heat, and Advil/Tylenol helped. And maybe see about getting inserts for your shoes to make sure you've got plenty of support.

    A friend of mine is just recovering from plantar fasciitis (sp?) pain that come to find out was due to tension in her calf which ultimately led to weakness in her upper glutes and core. So maybe try to add in some full core workouts that include back strenthening like supermans and bridges (aka pelvic thrust).

    Lastly, I've heard that leg cramps can come from potassium deficiency. Bananas are typically suggested but there are many other foods more rich in potassium - google for a list.

    Beyond that, think about going to see a physical therapist or sports medicine specialist for help and advice.

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