My nurse practitioner suggested Epsom salts soaks, for their magnesium content, to help with the awful leg, foot, and thigh muscle cramps I get almost every morning when I try to get out of bed. I can't take magnesium orally.
Has anyone else heard of this remedy? Or tried it with any success? How long does it take to work?
Any other remedies you could suggest would be appreciated, too. I'm getting desperate. It is not a fun way to wake up (especially when you need to get to the bathroom quickly, I know, TMI :) Thanks all.
By ~gloria
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Calcium helps muscles contract; magnesium helps them relax. I have fibromyalgia and soak in the tub with epsom salts regularly, and yes, they help very much. How long it takes depends on multiple issues: how short is your body of magnesium, what is your diet like, how does your body absorb minerals, are you also short of vitamin D and calcium, how long have you had this problem, what other issues do you have, etc.
Yes it does work. When I first started to use the salts It would take a least 5 minutes to get in and out of the bath tub. After about a week -week and a half, I was doing a lot better I still use it to day because it is so relaxing.
An old wives tale for leg cramps at night is to put a bar of soap at the foot of the bed. It's got to be soap not a cream bar like dove. Lots of people swear by this.
If you take cholesterol pills you should look into that as they will harm the muscles and make you feel achy and tired and will cramp your muscles
Hopes this helps.
msweed
On the packages of epsom salts it warns against people with certain conditions using them.
I'm sure the soaks would feel great, if you have the time for the mess every day. However, I found on the internet Magnessium spray. You spray it into your hand and rub it into the skin of each arm for the total amt you need for the day.
Have you tried a portable potty chair by the bedside? All bath salts are based from Epsom salts and I find them very soothing. I have early onset Arthritis in some parts of my body. Perhaps you should have a relaxing morning bath in Epsom salts, and an evening one too before bedtime, if it helps alleviate some of your stiffness.
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