Night cramp

Maybe this video will interest you.https://youtu.be/Dh5yZt4MOY0

Hi everyone, have a look at my recent post in the Health section under "restless legs syndrome." Interesting.

I take magnesium tablets but still sometimes get leg cramps during the night, particularly if I've been out and about for the day and am slightly dehydrated.

Magnesium gel, applied topically, is absolutely fantastic. It only takes a couple of minutes to stop the cramping, and I always keep the bottle within easy reach of my bed. It's definitely my Desert Island product!

That's me sorted Watermeadow

My friend swears a potato in the bed works. So, off to bed you go with potato, corks, soap, bananas, tonic water, salt, no salt, water and a pint of gin.
Sleep well!

Quinine can have the same effect as caffeine and stop you sleeping.

I was once in a situation where I could not drink alcohol and tonic water was the only non-alcoholic drink available. I had 4 wine glasses of tonic water over an evening and couldn't sleep for 24 hours after.

As you mention that you are taking several preventive measures, still not getting relief from thigh cramp then it is the right time to consult a doctor. My uncle also suffered from muscle cramps he tried several preventive measures such as drinking plenty amount of water, exercise, and intake of certain vitamins or minerals, but not get relief from self-care. After going through under medical treatment for some days he gets some relief from the muscle cramp.

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Magnesium tabs also sorts out my restless legs thingy?

@Doodle Do quinine tablets really work?

My DH has taken quinine tablets for years to help with his cramp.

nankate I drink lots of tonic water and suffer from tinnitus. I have never heard of a link between the two. I must look that up. Thanks for the tip.

I know how that feels. It's very horrible. I just drink lots of water a day to keep myself hydrated and also eat bananas for magnesium and it works.

My Mum always had a small net bag with corks in the bottom of her bed, she never got cramp whilst the corks were there.

Speaking of... I suffered very painful (excruciatingly painful at times) foot and calf cramps for many years - mostly during the early hours, usually brought on by inadvertent stretching while still asleep - but since starting taking one quinine sulphate tablet before bed at night for several years, night cramps have become rare, thank goodness. I've been told that quinine can have various side effects, as can all prescribed medications if you read the leaflet which comes with the box, but I'd rather take a quinine tab at night, in full expectation that the sudden screaming agony of distorting cramp will remain a thing of the past . Try it for yourself.

A testament to the power of Gransnett:
Today, after reading this thread, I took myself off to Asda.
In the middle of the car park, I was struck down by CRAMP in my foot and leg. I was frozen to the spot. ? Not having experienced cramp in two years, I found it all a bit disconcerting, to say the least!☺️

That's good tiredoldwoman but now you will never know which cure helped ?
Enjoy your cramp free day.

That’s good to read tow ??

Well I never ! No cramp last night .. I put the bar of soap under the sheet, hadn't sweated as much during the day and had eaten at 8 rather than 5 pm ( due to dentist visit and frozen face ! ) so maybe the combination worked ?
After 5 nights of dread and lack of sleep I've woken up refreshed and without that hangover of aches .
Thank you all . I'm going shopping for magnesium, bananas, tonic water and a bottle of wine ( as I need a cork !) x .

Magnesium powder in half a glass of tonic water will cure the cramps. My husband had a terrible time with cramps until the doc recommended this.

Magnesium tablets or tissue salts

I agree with mawbroon, you may have cut the salt out too much tow.
When we lived in Hongkong where it’s very hot in the summer, we were advised to take salt tablets to replace the salt we lost through sweating.

There are side effects with the quinine is tonic water which will only affect some people e.g. causes or makes tinnitus worse. Sadly that is why I avoid any tonic water. Sorry to put the mockers on things.

Please look it up online if you doubt me.

A fellow Gransnetter, a retired doctor, also recommended magnesium tablets.

My friend asked her Dr. about this and he prescribed a supplement which worked. ?Magnesium?
Don't take my word for it, ask.

I think if these cramps are painful, persistent and disturbing your sleep you would be wise to consult your GP before you try supplements prescribed by a non physician. The GP may want to take a blood test which may well be skewed by supplements which also may not be appropriate to mix with any other medication you may be taking. It should go without saying that we need to increase our fluid intake in this hot weather but sadly it isn't - A & E's are filling up with the dehydrated. I hope you get some relief soon.