leg cramps..age ? ...anyone know a cure

steeljack · 13-09-2007, 06:42

ok , i'm approaching 60 yrs (59 last month), never in my life have I have suffered leg cramps until a couple of months ago .......is this an aging thing ? they never happen during "awake" times , but I have had 4 or 5 instances in the last 3 months , I wake up about 3 or 4 o'clock with a cramp in my lower calf .......and to be honest I scream like hell , it's torture ......is this something I should talk to my Doctor about ? ...I'm being honest here when i say i allways laughed whenever i saw some sportsperson fall down with cramps , now i can understand the pain/feeling
anyone got any ideas
thanks ......

panther · 13-09-2007, 08:40

try this website, it may help

Leg Cramps (Night Cramps) - Patient UK

MargaretR · 13-09-2007, 08:45

Night cramps in the legs and feet are a common ailment. Your doc will probably blame it on poor circulation - but DO check it out with him.
I get it in my feet mostly - my big toes decide they want to point upwards (but Im not ready for turning my toes up yet

)
I have found that the number of times I get these night cramp attacks has reduced a lot if I take Gingko Biloba daily. It is herbal medicine - beware it should not be taken if you are on blood thinning meds.
I also have a foot massager ready in the bedroom - this is a foot spa which can be used dry and vibrates. (heaven knows what the irishman in the flat below me thinks when I set it off in the middle of the night

)

cashman · 13-09-2007, 10:08

i used to get leg cramps about 20 yrs ago when asleep in bed the pain was excruciating, funny thing is only had em on n off for 2/3 yrs, then never had em since? so i would discount the age thing steeljack,i never went the docs with em.

panther · 13-09-2007, 10:36

I tend to get them more when iv been on a long walk!, but thats probably down to not enough fluids!

what ever ya do when your cramp starts dont lift ya foot up, always point ya toes

feels a lot better, then massage the calf

MITZY · 13-09-2007, 10:51

Someone recommended drinking Tonic Water and whether psychological or not, I don't know, but I must admit it has helped.

alan7554 · 13-09-2007, 10:56

try sleeping with a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel on the calfs,this helps the circulation,( i did put a jokey comment on about trying amputation but it was deleted) if the water bottle does,nt help put a pillow under your ankles to raise up your legs and increase blood flow,as cramp is sometimes caused by slow circulation

lancsdave · 13-09-2007, 10:58

Peppermint Gel from the Body Shop

panther · 13-09-2007, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsdave

Peppermint Gel from the Body Shop

i go to the body shop

, will have to look for that!

BERNADETTE · 13-09-2007, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITZY

Someone recommended drinking Tonic Water and whether psychological or not, I don't know, but I must admit it has helped.

It is the quinine in the tonic water that helps, so I've been told.

lettie · 13-09-2007, 11:23

There may be a few more suggestions on here..

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...p-30692-2.html

beechy · 13-09-2007, 11:41

must admit i go for the gin and tonic cure

lancscat · 13-09-2007, 12:22

eating a banana before you go to bed helps,i got alot of night cramp when pregnant,i ate bananas and hey presto!no cramp

grannyclaret · 13-09-2007, 12:30

I get cramp a lot too. the doctor said it was the sciatic nerve,,,,I wouldent wish it on anyone when it starts ...

shakermaker · 13-09-2007, 12:51

Just do some simple stretches before you go to bed and as has been mentioned above, drinking lots of water helps the muscles. Stretching before bed, I find, also helps actually falling sleep as your muscles are less agitated.