Killer front and inner thigh cramps last night.

[woodsprite]

Have any of you ever experienced them? If so, what did you do for them? I’ve had charley horses in calves, shins, ankles before, but nothing like these.

I know I’ve probably overdone the past two days, haven’t been vigilant in keeping up with water, skipped a normal lunch both days, had more than my usual holiday cheer (4 small glasses of wine and one awesome lambic raspberry beer on Tday). Sooo not smart.

I leapt out of bed last night about every two hours. Literally bent over because I couldn’t stand straight due to the muscles being so tight, each time took a lot to rub it out. I think my reflux raised its head because of me jumping out of bed so fast. When I’d lay back down to try to go back to sleep, the reflux was worse. Couldn’t take any Zantac due to being on metformin. There were times last night that I just kept thinking “breathe in, breathe out”, drift off to sleep, then the cycle would abruptly start again. I think I’ve felt so crappy today due to lack of sleep.

To top that all off, it hurts to lay on my left side because the 20lb turkey got the better of my shoulder when I was getting it in the darned oven.

Feeling exhausted and beaten, and kind of afraid to go to sleep tonight ☹️

[Demovictory9]

1. I get charley horses on the top of my feet sometimes. hate those things

[woodsprite]

4. I can feel for you.

Those are bad too! I hate when the cramping starts moving up the front of your ankles. I find them almost impossible to walk off.

My son just got home from a day with his GFs family and tossed me a bottle of pills. Both his GF and her mom have diabetes. He asked them what they do and they gave him Hylands Leg Cramp pills to have me try. I put them on my nightstand. I always was told their products were woo until we used their meds for colic and teething issues when my daughter was a baby. They seemed to be the only thing that worked for her. Hopefully they work as well for me.

[mahina]

9. Seconded on their teething tablets! They saved us many tears.

I prefer rational exclamations that I don’t understand we have to see what I do know for a fact that Hyland’s teething tablets worked. They’re off the market now but I’ll see what else they make.

[Aquaria]

17. I get those, too.

Out of nowhere, they hit. Damned annoying.

[tblue37]

21. Drink a glass of two of water when that happens! It's often from unrecognized dehydration. nt

[Demovictory9]

32. thanks. I do find that how much water I'm drinking impacts them

[OregonBlue]

33. In Viet Nam they gave infantrymen a teaspoon or two of baking soda in water.

My husband now uses this as a go to and it works. He follows up with a second glass of warm water. The cramps subside very quickly and it also can help with reflux.

[AllaN01Bear]

43. i have to be careful on how much water i drink at nite . nocturnal urination problem.

[MLAA]

2. My husband gets leg cramps and uses a spray called theraworx over the counter ...

He says it helps. Good luck!

[woodsprite]

6. Thanks! I'll have to look for that tomorrow.

I’ve seen it advertised, but never knew anyone who used it.

[House of Roberts]

3. I have no idea of a position to make them subside,

but I got some quinine pills from the neighborhood pharmacy. You put a couple under your tongue and let them dissolve, and the cramps stop really quick.

[Jane Austin]

35. Unfortunately, you can't get quinine pills in the US any more.

My mother had some and they worked instantly. My doc said some people had a bad reaction to them.

OK, so how come we can still buy tonic water (quinine water) with no warning on it?

[Cousin Dupree]

5. I used to get those. They're awful.

I currently get occasional cramps in my feet that pull my toes up, and calf cramps. Im going to tell you my home remedy for cramps. You won’t believe it. No one does. It works for me within seconds: eat a spoonful of mustard. Any kind of mustard. ( it’s not pleasant but I do it cause it works). Give it a try. Works like charm for me. Even if you don’t believe me, it won’t hurt to try. Good luck.

[woodsprite]

7. Hmm, I wonder if it's got potassium or salts in it

And that’s why it works. I also was reading last night that some people take pickle juice for leg cramping.

[Pisces]

12. Pickle juice also works

[ekelly]

13. I get those same foot cramps

that pull my toes up as well. I keep mustard packets on my nightstand....works every time, and fast!

[Cousin Dupree]

27. I'm glad to hear that someone else can affirm that this works. People think I'm nuts when I tell

them about this.

[tblue37]

22. Drink s glass of two of water when that happens! It's often from unrecognized dehydration. nt

[Bayard]

8. I get bad cramps in my totally flat feet sometimes,

And in my legs. They ease up if I stretch my calf by pulling my toes up. Works best if you stick your leg out. Has also kept bone spurs at bay for over a year now.

[mahina]

10. Knee or ankles? Mahalo !

[fierywoman]

11. When I get charley horse cramps in my legs at night I rub magnesium oil on the

area -- pain goes away in about 5 minutes.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

14. I sometines get a charley horse in a calf muscle.

It's always very painful, but the cure is to hop out of bed (and they only occur when I'm in bed, for some reason) and to stand on the foot of the leg that's cramping. It goes away instantly. Don't know if that helps any of you, but it cures it for me.

[tblue37]

23. We usually go several hours without water when asleep, so if you are already a bit

dehydrated (and most Americans are), then you'll become more severely dehydrated after a few hours asleep, leading to cramps. I keep two mugs wit attached straw covers by my bed so when I get a cramp during the night, I drink water and the cramps go away.

Although I am well aware of the cramp-dehydration connection, one of my medicines dehydrates me, plus I tend to get nauseated if I drink too much liquid at a time, so I always am borderline dehydrated if I am not drinking a bit of water at every opportunity.

[Jane Austin]

15. You need to get some calcium in you and quickly.

If you have some Tums, you can chew them up and it should help. You may need to chew several.

I get these cramps when I am dehydrated, partly owing to the diuretic I have to take. It takes the calcium and potassium right out of me.

Cramps ensue. Excruciating cramps

Stay hydrated, and if you are taking a diuretic, be sure to replenish your calcium and potassium.

Do the same if you are getting more exercise than usual.

Good luck.

[tblue37]

24. I have been harping on the dehydration connection in multiple posts on this thread, to make sure

everyone sees it. I'm glad to see someone he else is sharing that ifo. I Also recommend bananas for potassium in one of my posts.

[Jane Austin]

34. My doc says bananas and over the counter potassium

don't contain enough potassium, so I have to take prescription potassium.

That and calcium and lots of fluids really does defeat those excruciating leg cramps.

[patricia92243]

16. Lack of magnesium causes my legs to cramp.

[TexasProgresive]

18. Close reading of your post, woodsprite, leads me to think dehydration is a factor.

Not drinking water as usual and drinking alcoholic beverages together is a sure way to become dehydrated. I am type 2 diabetic, a cyclist and have had those quadriceps cramps while riding. I don't think the diabetes makes me more prone to cramping, but it is easy to become dehydrated and/or low on one or more electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and magnesium.

One thought, the stress of a preparing a big meal and eating wrong may have caused your blood glucose level to spike. Your kidneys would dump excess glucose in the urine. This would increase the dehydration and depletion of electrolytes.

There are a lot of ways to help with cramps. Someone mentioned pickle juice. On supported rally rides the rest stops often have cups of the stuff available along with pickles. I find a tablespoon of plain yellow mustard can give immediate relief. I carry several packets like you can get from fast food and convenience store delis on my rides. It does not prevent them but will stop them.

[Aquaria]

19. Even before I was diabetic,

I had severe charley horse cramps in my legs. Get them when I’m sleeping a lot. Nowadays, I simply straighten my legs with my toes pointed to my head, and they go away.

Dehydration is usually the cause. I’ve had fewer cramp attacks since I started drinking mostly water. I keep a pitcher of filtered water in my fridge and use it to fill one of those insulated cooler sports bottles that I lug with me everywhere. I hardly ever drink sodas (the sodium in them can add up fast), and consume very little caffeine or alcohol. The alcohol you drank undoubtedly played a role in causing your cramps because alcohol dehydrates.


Now for the reflux...

Alcohol again plays a role there, but what’s done is done. Since no one will be taking Zantac for the foreseeable future (FDA issued a recall in September), see if you can take Pepcid AC. It’s also an H-2 blocker, but is metformin-friendly. Zantac worked faster, but not so much faster that it’s worth risking lactic acidosis.

[tblue37]

20. Cramps are often caused by dehydration, and Americans OFTEN let their themselves get

dehydrated without realizing it. Drink a full glass of water or two when you get a cramp. See if the cramp goes away after a few minutes. I usually get relief within a minute or two.

Also, eat bananas sometimes. Potassium deficiency can cause cramps.

[NCjack]

25. I get relief within a minute from plain yellow mustard.

I start with 1 tsp. If no benefit within a minute, I swallow 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard. Usually that is enough. But, once I had to go to 1 tsp + 3 Tablespoons of YM to stop the cramps.

See: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/how-does-a-teaspoon-of-mustard-cure-muscle-cramps]

[Polly Hennessey]

26. I sometimes get them on the inner thighs.

Agree about keeping hydrated. What also works for me is rubbing the area with Mineral Ice. Goes away quickly. I think it must be the warmth from the gel. You are not alone. 😥😀

[CanonRay]

28. Get potassium into your system

Bananas, avocados, spinach, acorn squash are all great.

[cilla4progress]

29. Calm - from the health food section.

It's mostly magnesium - an electrolyte, like a sports drink. Tums can also help, as they are mostly calcium and magnesium.

I used to get TERRIBLE leg cramps from dehydrathion and electrolyte loss after I'd been active and sweating.

Calm works instantly. I've gotten small sample packets at the health food store to try it out first.

Bonus side effects: loosens up the gut so helps with "elimination," and helps sleep too!

If you have a sleep partner or someone around to help while the charley horse is happening, pulling on your big toe provides instant relief!

Since I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes I have been quite committed in my hydration. Seems to help.

Good luck!

[Prosper]

30. Used to get cramps so bad I wanted to call 911.

My wife heard something about NFL players drinking pickle juice. Filled an empty water bottle with pickle juice. Next cramp attack and I drank three big gulps of pickle juice. After a few minutes I could feel the muscles untangling. 5 minutes and cramps were totally gone.
Our food market has Pickle juice available in small bottles.

Pickle Juice® Sport:
Stop Muscle Cramps
bottled pickle juice from www.picklepower.com
Suffering From Muscle Cramps? Pick Pickle Juice! Stop Muscle Cramps with Pickle Juice® Sport

[woodsprite]

37. I'll have to see if I can find some of the bottled juice.

There is no way I'd try to go down the steps to the fridge with the leg cramps. Of course, maybe I could try eating a pickle before I go up to bed.

[Prosper]

38. As far as I know pickle juice won't spoil. I take a water bottle with

full with me where ever I am. Our neighborhood bar had big jars of pickles, boiled eggs, hot sausage and pigs feet sitting out all the time. Check this link out.

https://www.picklepower.com/

[Historic NY]

31. Chiropractor says more water.....

wine and beer doesn't count., a banana might also be useful. I've had them so now I keep a bottle of water close to the bed. I wouldn't jump up too fast that's how I tore the ligament in my ankle.

[woodsprite]

36. Ouch! When you get them though, it's hard to not jump out of bed fast!

I do keep a bottle of water on my nightstand, but being bent over from the pain, I couldn't drink any until I could stand up.

[woodsprite]

39. Thank you all sooooo much for your ideas!

Last night I actually slept well - Between having a 1/2 turkey sandwich w/ yellow mustard and a glass of milk before bed. Made sure I got both doses of my vitamins and meds in a timely fashion, took an extra magnesium pill and pushed the water, AND took another 1/4 of a percocet for my shoulder. Something worked well and I finally feel normal again -- just in time to go back to work today!

We're heading to a nephew's wedding this weekend. A couple of water bottles will travel with me, along with those leg cramp pills. Since we're staying in a suite, I'll pack some snacks that will work for bedtime (cheese, mustard, a jar of baby dills, a few single servings of FairLife milk, etc.).

Feeling so much better and put back together now.

Thank you all again!

[woodsprite]

41. I have been lucky and haven't had the gastric issues that some have.

At least, as long as I moderate my carb intake - 30-40 gr carbs per meal and 15-25 per snack. It works ok for me and my numbers. Whatever 'brand' the pharmacy was using a year or so ago seemed to work better than what they switched to. The struggle for me is getting the exercise component in to control my numbers.

[AllaN01Bear]

42. hi there . i feel for u. my toes start twiching then one calf starts hurting , then the other .

very painful. haven had them in a while . i was recomended vitamen e for my cramps by my dr.

[AllaN01Bear]

44. ouch. i get them sometimes . start in toes , then work up to thighs . ouch

dr . recomended vitaman e for them there is quianie water , but i understand that has been pulled

[meow2u3]

45. I used to get horrible leg and foot cramps until a couple of years ago

I drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day (including decaf tea) and eliminated table sugar in my diet. Those changes helped me control my blood sugar and my cramps in addition to the Metformin (1000mg 2x/day) and Januvia 100 mg.

It's been 2 years since I had any severe cramps. I drink more water when I get mild cramps. I hope what I did can help you since dehydration causes cramps.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

46. Theraworks & Diet Tonic Water

This happens to me all the time.

I have two items that I keep to my bed which work every time. The first is Diet Tonic Water. The quinine is what does it. Obviously, I buy the diet version because I'm diabetic. The other sure fire remedy is a relatively new product called Theraworks. It's a magnesium spray that you apply directly to the affected area. It never fails

I know that this is a very old thread, but I hope it helps someone.

Ross

aka Grumpy Old Guy (new member)

PS Thanks to everyone on DU for keeping me sane all these years. Please check out my profile for a longer word of thanks.

[marble falls]

47. You'd be surprised!

[tblue37]

48. Stay hydrate and eat bananas (for potassium).