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Health

Night cramp

(35 Posts)
tiredoldwoman Thu 26-Jul-18 05:17:52

I usually get terrible thigh cramp if I've been eating salty food , I sorted that out by cutting down and upping water . But , yikes , the last 4 nights have been awful despite drinking lots of water all day and throughout the night - I'm now dreading bedtime ! I've tried stretching before bed , massaging before and during attacks , used a damp cold cloth last night that seemed to ease things . Any other tips?

Bensid Sat 29-Jun-19 00:56:40

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

moonbeames Wed 29-Aug-18 10:56:34

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

Happiyogi Fri 24-Aug-18 22:49:00

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!

Stansgran Fri 24-Aug-18 18:16:11

That's me sorted Watermeadow

watermeadow Fri 24-Aug-18 18:09:14

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!

M0nica Mon 20-Aug-18 20:14:03

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.

Richa94 Mon 20-Aug-18 11:32:47

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.

poliq Wed 15-Aug-18 08:26:58

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Nannylovesshopping Wed 08-Aug-18 09:03:59

Magnesium tabs also sorts out my restless legs thingy?

natnatroswell22 Wed 08-Aug-18 08:24:58

@Doodle Do quinine tablets really work?

Doodle Mon 30-Jul-18 19:59:08

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.

natnatroswell22 Mon 30-Jul-18 03:48:36

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.

GrannyGravy13 Sat 28-Jul-18 15:34:42

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.

barbh Sat 28-Jul-18 14:57:41

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.

Marydoll Fri 27-Jul-18 20:01:31

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!☺️

sodapop Fri 27-Jul-18 08:41:43

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

OldMeg Fri 27-Jul-18 07:00:31

That’s good to read tow ??

tiredoldwoman Fri 27-Jul-18 06:18:59

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 .

stella1949 Fri 27-Jul-18 01:25:22

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.

Menopaws Thu 26-Jul-18 21:40:10

Magnesium tablets or tissue salts

janeainsworth Thu 26-Jul-18 21:17:19

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. hmm

NanKate Thu 26-Jul-18 21:12:40

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.

MawBroon Thu 26-Jul-18 09:53:55

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

Fennel Thu 26-Jul-18 09:34:59

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

Teetime Thu 26-Jul-18 09:29:59

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.