Getting rid of leg cramps

[magdala]

For the last two nights I have woken up in the small hours with omigod-hurts-like-hell leg cramps.   Any remedies or preventatives to eliminate these nasty things?  

[smock]

I noticed that I only seem to get leg cramps when I'm a bit dehydrated, so maybe try more water?

[IndiaInk]

I've been supplementing with magnesium (recommended by my midwife to help with headaches, and it did) and I believe it helps with muscle cramps too. I sleep better at night and get less restless leg syndrome and cramps when I get enough magnesium.

[magdala]

Sorry I loathe bananas--I am 27 weeks and these have just started in the last week. I'll try more water and magnesium. Does magnesium come if pill form? What dosage?

[jewel]

I was getting them long before I was pg. A few years ago, I figured out that most of the cramps started when I stretched my legs out, pointing my toes (while sleeping). I made an effort to flex my feet when stretching instead, and it's reduced my leg cramps to almost nothing.

I also got a sample of some "Leg cramp cream" in my motherhood maternity gift bag. Who knows what that is, or if it works, but I'd never heard of it before that.

[IndiaInk]

Apr 9, 2014 22:17:34 GMT -5 magdala said:

Sorry I loathe bananas--I am 27 weeks and these have just started in the last week. I'll try more water and magnesium. Does magnesium come if pill form? What dosage?

Yeah you can buy it in pills.  This is what I have:  
Sometimes I take Natural Calm and mix it with a little cherry or cranberry concentrate for flavor


P.S. a side benefit of magnesium is that it helps keep you from getting constipated

[flamingeaux]

Maybe try a potassium supliment instead of bananas, I don't know what other foods are high in potassium.

[flamingeaux]

Apr 11, 2014 9:15:00 GMT -5 bricco said:

Apr 11, 2014 9:12:19 GMT -5 flamingeaux said:

Maybe try a potassium supliment instead of bananas, I don't know what other foods are high in potassium.

Careful with the supplements!  The dosage might be concerning.  I'd check with a doctor first.

Good point.  I was just meaning that there's probably other ways than just bananas.

[sillygoosegirl]

I had good luck in high school fighting leg cramps with a calcium supplement, though the other comments are making me think what was helping was maybe the magnesium, since calcium supplements often often contain magnesium.

[blushing]

Apr 11, 2014 9:12:19 GMT -5 flamingeaux said:

Maybe try a potassium supliment instead of bananas, I don't know what other foods are high in potassium.

Avo's are supposed to be high in potassium.