thread: Leg Cramps :(

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Aug 2008
    adelaide
    258

    Leg Cramps :(

    Hi everyone - mods am sorry if this is in wrong section but I didn't think approprite in medical conditions as it's more a 'symptom' of preg?

    anyway - I need HELP. 2 nights ago i got a SEVERE leg cramp in my sleep, so severe it woke me up and I was rolling around in bed in agony until it subsided (several minutes?)

    I'd read somewhere that leg cramps are due to potassium deficiency .. so that morning i had 2 bananas YUM.... anyway last night the same thing happened but in the other leg. to the extent that i was almost screaming in pain (makes me wonder about child birth!)

    now both legs hurt (the kind of hurt where you overdid it at the gym the day before) and I don't know if this is related but i have a sharp pain in lower RHS of groin which has been there for a day.

    any suggestions to stop these cramps?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    By the beach (Melbourne)
    149

    Sorry to hear that your much-needed sleep is being so rudely interrupted! I've also read that about potassium, but recently have read a few things that link leg cramps to iron deficiency. And interestingly, iron deficiency is also linked to odd cravings during pregnancy!

    HTH xo

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Aug 2008
    adelaide
    258

    SJH - thanks that's actually REALLY interesting you say that it might be related to iron deficiency because since i've been UTD i've gone pretty much completely off red meat ... i didn't think much of it as i 'assumed' i was getting enough iron elsewhere.

    will make an effort to eat a steak tonight and see. thanks hun x

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Feb 2008
    Near the Snowies!
    2,975

    Have you been drinking enough water? Cramps can also be due to low levels of blood salt, so maybe try eating a little more salt in your diet and see if that helps. Using a heat pack while your leg is cramping may also help to settle the muscle down.
    I used to get cramps in my legs a lot when I was in high school, used to do lots of cross country running/athletics, and they could be so painful so I feel for you!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Dec 2008
    8,986

    I suffered leg cramps througout the middle of my pregnancies too, they stopped in the last trimester. THey're horrid!

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne.
    5,673

    i took blackmores magnesium tablets last pg to help with cramps

  7. #7
    Platinum Member. Love a friend xxx

    Mar 2008
    Perth, WA
    1,225

    My legs crampd something shocking last right I was rolling around in bed whinging about it....so painful and they make it hard to sleep.

    Iron deficiancy makes sense for me as I don't eat meat!

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Follow Pandora On Twitter

    Jan 2005
    cowtown
    8,276

    There are lots of things that can help wth cramps, but it depends what is causing them.
    Salt, magnesium and potassium can all help, works for some people better than others.

    Some people can alos just be more prone to cramping because of their muscle length and how tight/loose they are.

    I have short muscles in my legs, compared to the foot/leg length, so my feet and legs will readily cramp without much encourangement. Im taking a magnesium supplemnt in addition to my multivitamin to try to help but Im not pinning my hopes on it.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    Brisbane, Southside
    106

    Calcium/Magnesium tablets do it for me. I only take them IF I get the cramps, 2 tablets in a drink of milk, and 10 minutes later I'm right as rain.

    magnesium is a muscle relaxant. (Also great for afterpains if you are carrying baby no2 or more...)

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Jul 2008
    South West Rocks, NSW
    137

    i take one calcium and one magnesium tab everyday and im hoping i wont get cramps this time as the last 2 times i have had really bad ones

  11. #11
    Registered User

    May 2007
    78

    These cramps suck!!!!!! I started getting hem in the middle of my pregnancy and still getting them now. They leave my calves sore for a couple of days, so over them,altough i have had my iron tested cuz since being UTD i cannot stand the smell or taste of red meat but the tests all came back ok

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Apr 2008
    Melbourne
    6,745

    I had cramps in my claves (both at the same time!!) really badly the other week and started on the magnesium tablets straight away. I haven't had any since. Brazil nuts also have magnesium so you can munch on them during the day as well.

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Aug 2008
    adelaide
    258

    hi all. thanks for the advise. i ended up going to the doctors yesterday as it got to the point where i can barely walk - that bad!

    anyway he's told me to take Caltrate - a calcium supplement + bananas are good too for potassium, because it's apparently a calcium and potassium deficiency. which makes sense as i am lactose intolerant and barely have any milk etc.

    the caltrate supposedly makes you constipated (but what's new )...