I would love a home remedy or supplement suggestion for toe, foot, and leg cramps. I have been getting all of these with increased frequency. My second toes bend down. I get them in the arch of my foot, and the sides and back of my ankle and calf.
I should mention that the circulation in this leg is compromised from an accident years ago. It happens in my good leg on occasion, also. These cramps make me go from a sound sleep, off the bed and standing in less than a second. They are that bad. Does anyone have any tips for relief from these? Please help.
By Sandy from Pittsburgh, PA
I share your pain, I have had them so bad that I thought I was going to pass out. The only thing that remotely lessened the pain was sticking my leg in COLD water under the tub faucet. I find that if I drink more fluids I don't get them as badly if at all. I hope this helps. (12/06/2009)
By Charleen
Leg cramps and Charlie horses can be very painful. I found what really works for me is to add calcium, magnesium, and potassium to my diet. You can eat a banana for the potassium, and take a vitamin supplement that has calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium. The vitamin D helps your body absorb the calcium. Also, if you are taking any medications make sure that you take them at different times of the day and they don't interfere with each other. This works for me and also helps with my bones. Good luck and I hope this helps. (12/06/2009)
By Linda Hohl
Both me and my partner get these nasty cramps too! Aren't they the worse thing!? They wake us up from a sound sleep! and they bend our toes into strange contortions! We've found that we get them most often when we are dehydrated and/or lacking sleep.
For mild leg cramps during the summer when it's super hot and I'm sweating a lot, I've found that if I eat something salty like a small bag of chips or if I salt my food or put a dash of salt into my drink (I rarely use salt) that I won't get the mid-calf cramps. Also, Calcium and especially Potassium is important to help stop leg cramps, try potassium supplements and/or eating several bananas each day.
With me, it really helps my severe leg and foot cramps if I get up and walk around. Also, sometimes I'll put a heating pad on them. My partner try's to relax and thinks "I can stop these with my mind" as he takes deep breaths and thinks "these will go away" and this is what stops them for him. The worse thing is to think about the pain because think about the pain makes it intensify!
I've also found that if you face a wall and stand with your feet back 2 or 3 feet from the wall then lean into the wall with your hands flat against the wall and slowly (keeping your body straight) lean into the wall by bending your elbows that this will stretch your calves. (I was told to do this by a foot doctor) I do this during or after I have one of these cramp episodes, but If you do this leaning exercise daily or even twice or 3 times a day, then your calf muscles will get stretched out and be more flexible which might help your cramps. Also it's best for your calves if you don't wear high heals because wearing heals also will make your calf muscles shorten. When my mom wore high heals to work every day, she couldn't wear regular shoes on weekends without her calves hurting.
* You can also buy a product called "Morton Lite Salt" this is 50-50% of regular salt and potassium salt... You might want to use this in place of regular salt.
http://www.mortonsalt.com/products/foodsalts/Lite_Salt.htm
PS: About your leg with poor circulation. It might help if you have someone (or yourself) gently massages the leg every night before sleep because massage increases circulation. Another thing that may help is if you take a towel that's been put in hot tap water then wrung out. First make sure this hot-wet towel isn't too hot for your skin, then wrap the hot towel around your calf. Next, wrap clear cling wrap or a plastic bag around it. Lastly add another dry towel and wrap this around the plastic. The last towel will help hold the heat in. If you to this nightly before bed with the leg elevated while watching TV or reading it will help with circulation as will any exercise for that area. (12/06/2009)
By Cyinda
There is a simple remedy for your cramps and charlies. Go to any health food store of a large grocery that has everything {I buy my supplements at fred Meyer, aka Krouger} in the health food section. It is called M and M or Malic Acid and Magnesium and works wonders to stop the cramps completely.
Malic acid is from fruit, mostly apples. This was the best buy I ever made! I have lupus and MS and they both can cause the cramps, I would get them from my waist down to my toes, both legs and would just stuff a pillow in my face and scream, the M and M stopped them completely! {and no side effects either} (12/06/2009)
By Virginia
This happens to me, also. Sometimes it's caused from a low potassium level. Other times it's a sign that you need to drink more water. Try this exercise: With your leg straight, place your heel against a wall or doorway where the floor and wall meet. Then bend your foot at the ankle towards you to stretch the back of your legs at the calves. Also, I read that when sleeping, use a pillow between your knees and ankles- for some reason, this seems to help. (12/06/2009)
By Laura
Well, I've read about the dill pickle remedy, and have nothing to say against it at all. Salt lack can cause leg cramps. So can potassium, and possibly magnesium or mag/calcium.
If it were me, I'd get a glass of orange juice with calcium, put in two dashes of salt, and take 1 magnesium or calcium/mag/vit D pill. It covers the minerals associated with cramps, and gives you sodium and potassium [oranges]. Keep oranges, tomatoes, bananas, and potatoes (fresh forms) in your diet. I have personally found these things to help. I get leg cramps just now and then, usually when it's been hot and I've sweat a lot, which loses both salt and potassium. (ingredients in gatorade).
I've also read that plain yellow mustard helps.So maybe make a sandwich to go with that oj cocktail. (12/07/2009)
By PENNY K
A banana a day will help provide potassium. But when you are in agony with the leg cramps you don't want to wait for nutrients to be assimilated into your system. Try rubbing your legs, feet and ankles with Vicks Vaporub and then put on some high tube socks. Do this at bedtime, and you should be fine in the morning. (12/07/2009)
By Marty Dick
Minerals like calcium and magnesium, magnesium is a natural relaxer. Also when there is injury, you need more.... Potassium, which you can get from the vitamin stores, it will make a big difference. I can't stand bananas, besides, they can be fattening from so many carbs and there isn't much in one banana. You may need as much as 1000 mg. I have many health issues and need this much often. No one can eat nothing but bananas. (12/09/2009)
Very simple and safe, get a prescription from your doctor for some quinine tablets. It works right away. It's a safe medicine and it works. (12/09/2009)
By Day
You might want to try taking epsom salt baths. The body absorbs some magnesium through the skin. Follow the package directions.
It's said to be quite relaxing, so I'd suggest taking them before going to bed at night.
(12/09/2009)
By Julie
If you don't like to take Quinine tablets try tonic Water. I drink a can of tonic water before going to bed and it really helps. Sometimes when I have problems with my legs in the daytime I drink tonic water(it has quinine in it). It may take 1/2 hour to work but it is good. At first you may have to mix it with orange juice or other better tasting fuids because the quinine in the tonic water is very bitter. (12/09/2009)
By Rita Murray
Please, before you try these remedies, get a checkup from your doctor, especially a blood test. Certain diseases don't display much in the body, but they do produce leg cramps, and if you have kidney issues, most pickles are to be strictly avoided, as is salt.
My leg cramps have stopped since I lowered my blood pressure to normal. check yours and make sure it's normal. If it isn't, get yourself down to under 1500mgs of salt a day (even if you're healthy, you're body will appreciate it and you will, too) get it down and see if that works. (12/09/2009)
By Cornelia
Talk to your doctor! It could be so many different things causing it!
I've had trouble with foot cramps since I was a child and they went away when I got lots of exercise and ate well balanced food but now I have emphysema so circulation is a mess so they've come back even worse than when a child.
One thing I do that helps a great deal every time when awakened from them is adjust the way I am laying and relax. Most of the time it's just a matter of adjusting my hips an inch. If the cramps are really bad I press that foot or leg against the wall, bed post or even wrap my foot tightly against the blanket and keep the foot straight instead of in a relaxed position and then breathe deep, relax and it goes away within a minute or two. (12/09/2009)
By Deeli
Be sure to call your doctor as this can be a symptom of a mineral deficiency. (12/10/2009)
Tonic water. (12/10/2009)
By Beth
Sometimes that is usually a sign that your potassium or magnesium is low in your blood system, go see a doctor and have your electrolytes checked. (12/10/2009)
By elva
Check out earthclinic.com for home remedies from folks all around the world. I've used it quite a lot.
I know calcium helps with muscle spasms in my back, also.
Good luck! (12/10/2009)
Wow I just wanted to say thank you everyone for all of the helpful responses. I do eat bananas, and I have been taking an occasional potassium tablet. I'm going to increase my fluids because I know I don't drink enough.
Sandy/Pittsburgh (12/10/2009)
By Sandy
I have had severe cramping all over my body since 1991. FMS/CFS, etc. My doctor recommended taking Magnesium supplements (with Malic Acid is best) and Vitamin D at the same time. I read in my research that Magnesium and Valerian Root together make a wonderful muscle relaxer. I use all three together and get wonderful relief.
Wonder Laboratories sells the combo in one pill at $1.00 per pill. They do offer free samples if you want to try the combo before buying. Inexpensive if you shop at Walmart like I do. Works on muscle aches and pains after overworking. Also, the pain associated with low pressure fronts moving into your area. Eases tension headaches. Valerian Root will mix with most other medications.
Check with your pharmacist to be sure. My son's pain clinic has him taking the same thing. Doctors now use Magnesium on women in labor. Hope this helps others like it has me. Merry Christmas! (12/15/2009)
By camerinquinn
Thank you for the info. I was at Walmart just an hour ago. With the holidays, I'm sure I'm going back real soon. I was taking potassium thinking that would help. I was still cramping up. I already take Calcium with D. I had forgotten about the salt remedy. I really appreciate all of the help I received. I haven't slept the night through in weeks because of these cramps. (12/16/2009)
By Sandy
I forgot, Merry Christmas everyone! (12/16/2009)
By Sandy
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