Leg cramps

MissMiaMoodles · Post by **MissMiaMoodles** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 11:54 am

I am wondering if any of you had an increase (or started getting) of leg cramps?.

I have just receintly started sleeping for longer stretches at a time. I wake many times during the night (my AHI numbers are great now). I have just begun to sleep up to 5 hours with less wakenings which is still much higher that I want. I believe that will get better the longer I am on CPAP.

I just started getting leg cramps the last few nights. I am wondering if it's because I am sleeping deeper and may not be moving as much, that when I start to wake it causes the muscles to tighten and get a leg cramp.

I do not have RLS or PLM.

MissMiaMoodles

SleepyNoMore · Post by **SleepyNoMore** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:20 pm

Hello MissMiaMoodles, I have been on cpap therapy for 2 1/2 to 3 months now and I haven't had any leg cramps, there was one time I almost got a cramp in my foot ! Your Potassium level might be a little low and you could get a simple Blood Test to determine that. My sister has had severe cramp in her feet and legs that last for 6 hours and this goes on day & night for weeks! She got online and ordered " Hylands Leg Cramps with Quinine Tablets" at VitaCost.com . I know with the weather changing back to COLD, that causes the cramps to come on worse by far than spring & summer. When the feet & legs get cold, they tend to cramp easier. My sis uses Rite-Aid pharmacy and the Pharmacist that works there told her that his wife also has SEVER LEG & FEET cramps, my sis told him to tell her to go to VitaCost.com to get the medicine and she did and now uses it all the time! Wow huh? No RX needed, so I hope this helps you, they are $ 4.50 a bottle for 100 tablets. I ordered my a bottle just to have for back-up in the event I start craming in my feet this winter. Keep us posted and good luck

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:30 pm

leg cramps can mean a mineral imbalance, I would try increasing magnesium, valerin root is also supposed to help. If you want to cover all bases, I would look for a good quality multi-vitamin. But you have to take those every day over time for them to be effective. Drink lots of water,

Hyland's has some pills for leg cramps that appear to work (didn't work for me). You can also go to http://www.wonderlabs.com and search for leg cramps and see what they suggest.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:47 pm

What Snoredog said. Went to my Doc with this problem and he told me to take potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Found one pill at Wal-mart that has all of the last three together. Cheap enough, too. Drink plenty of water taking these. The minerals have to have a way thru your muscles.

MissMiaMoodles · Post by **MissMiaMoodles** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:59 pm

Thanks for responding.

Actally the leg cramps are quick and not severe and I usually can streatch my leg and stop them from getting stronger.

SleepyNoMore, that is awful about your sister, I cant even imagine having them for that long!!!

My bloodwork is ok, and I eat very healthy, actually on a special diet that makes sure I get the right nutrients, low on fat & processed foods high in fruits & veggies. ~ Way more information than you all needed..

I do think I will start taking a multi.. I do not drink enough water...I guess I gotta work on that.

As for the cold, I live in Southwest Florida..I dont know what cold feels like anymore...

Again, thanks!
MissMiaMoodles

SleepyNoMore · Post by **SleepyNoMore** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 1:04 pm

JeffH wrote:What Snoredog said. Went to my Doc with this problem and he told me to take potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Found one pill at Wal-mart that has all of the last three together. Cheap enough, too. Drink plenty of water taking these. The minerals have to have a way thru your muscles.

Hey JeffH, Can you "POST" the name of these pills you are taking and how much they cost? Thanks,

Ms Piggy · Post by **Ms Piggy** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 1:01 pm

I was told potassium & vit D, don't know if it helps as it's an occassional thing for me.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 3:22 pm

SleepyNoMore wrote:
JeffH wrote:What Snoredog said. Went to my Doc with this problem and he told me to take potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Found one pill at Wal-mart that has all of the last three together. Cheap enough, too. Drink plenty of water taking these. The minerals have to have a way thru your muscles.
Hey JeffH, Can you "POST" the name of these pills you are taking and how much they cost? Thanks,

You will find 99mg Potassium pills about everywhere. I was told not to over do these, ie one or two a day. Cost is around 3 or 4 bucks.

The Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc pills are Spring Valley 250 count pill bottle (take 3 a day) and if I remember right, were around 8 bucks a bottle.

JeffH

ZZZzzz · Post by **ZZZzzz** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 4:01 pm

MMM,

I did get a few misc. leg cramps but my MAIN complaint was body wide severe muscle aches and pains.
Doctor said muscles are very unhappy when they're deprived of oxygen.
It took 6 months of effective CPAP use - but my muscles are so much better now.

My co-worker got severe, stabbing leg pains that dropped her to her knees, took her breath away and made her cry.
As soon as she started CPAP - she never had another leg pain attack.

-Bev

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 5:16 pm

I've been using ivory soap bars in the bottom of my bed, under my sheets and the night time cramps have been much better. Someone on this forum suggested it and I tried it.

HOwever, this may be an illusory effect. I was fairly new at cpap therapy when I first read this, and I suspect that cpap therapy may be a more likely explanation. However, I keep that soap there anyway. It cost 3 bars for $1 at the dollar store, so it's not a big expense.

Leg cramps

Leg cramps

MissMiaMoodles

Hi JeffH :)

cramps

Re: Hi JeffH :)

Yes!

Mask

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