Leg cramps.... Why now?

I have been doing better on CPAP (considering what I have going on at the moment) Now leg cramps are waking me every night! Not sure why! Anybody got any clues? I am eating bananas, also gonna get me some low sodium V-8.
Is it normal for leg to start cramping when you get into therapy? I have had them before in the past, but not everynight! ACKKKK!
Thank you
Fatiguedme

Sorry to hear about your leg cramps. Other than low potassium, I am not sure what to suggest as a cause.

But, I have to say that it is good to see you back on the forum! Haven't seen ya for a while and have been concerned. I understand that sometimes life gets in the way - it has for me recently as well.

Wish you luck in finding a solution!

Rick

FatiguedMe wrote:I have been doing better on CPAP (considering what I have going on at the moment) Now leg cramps are waking me every night! Not sure why! Anybody got any clues? I am eating bananas, also gonna get me some low sodium V-8.
Is it normal for leg to start cramping when you get into therapy? I have had them before in the past, but not everynight! ACKKKK!
Thank you
Fatiguedme

Glad you're getting good therapy, db, but sorry to hear about the leg cramps. In any event, it's good to see you here.

I don't know what the cause of the leg cramps might be, but eating bananas is a good idea. If you don't already do so, I suggest taking a good daily vitamin, as well. If all else fails, of course, talk to your GP (or your sleep doc) about it. Hope it resolves for you soon.

You might try drinking more milk --or taking a calcium suppliment --just for leg cramps in general--I notice that my legs start cramping if i'm not getting enough calcium.

Are you sure these are cramps and not restless legs? If it's restless legs you need to see a neurologist.
Whatever I hope you're able soon to sleep all night.

If I had leg cramps, I'd try 400mg Magnesium Glycinate in tablet form (KAL brand), or put a slightly-rounded teaspoon of Mag-Relax (usually re-branded as a store-brand at many better health-food stores) in a glass of hot water, one or the other before bed-time. Magnesium in an easily available form will help you get to sleep and definitely helps leg cramps.

FatiguedMe, ditto what DreamDiver mentioned - magnesium worth checking into for your situation.

The nightly leg cramps (first time ever in my life) were happening frequently and I mentioned it to my primary care physician; he immediately said, "Oh! That's easy to fix" as he was writing a script for Magnesium oxide, 400 mg., one daily. Seems it is a common deficiency with the common result.

Problem solved immediately once started on it, and no problem since - am to keep taking them.

patzee

Vit. E is often very helpful for leg cramps. I also wondered though, if you are possibly sleeping in a position that's not normal for you, and inadvertently stiffening up to keep the mask in place or something... just another thing to think about.

I had leg Cramps in the beginning of therapy and Mild RLS and was given requip. I did some research and found that taking two tsp's of apple cider vinegar with a tbl spoon of Honey in Water before bed solved the cramps and the RLS> I no longer need the Requip and the cramps are gone. When I feel cramps coming on I go back to the Vinegar/ Honey treatment

I will second the calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin E that everyone else has suggested and add my own anecdotal home remedy.

Pickle juice!

Lemme 'splain!

Within the last several months, I have started eating WAY healthier to control my blood sugar. (It's working!) As much as possible, I'm eating whole, natural foods with not much additives. When I started doing that, I started getting leg cramps... Well, that coinciding with us turning the A/C up to 78 because we got a crazy high power bill.

I sweat a lot in my sleep, but most of the time i am not aware of it because I have a bedside fan blowing all the time. so I never actually get sweaty. (On nights when the power goes out, I am very aware of it!) I think I must lose a lot of electrolytes. And now, since I eat almost no processed food, I don't get as much salt. The pickle juice has a lot of salt in it. So mixed with my mineral supplements, it's like a little electrolyte replacement drink. LOL

Right before bed, I actually drink 1/4 cup of pickle with 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of my salt substitute mixed in. It makes both of them taste a little better. This is my completely un-medical opinion, so chalk it up to old wives tale. But it sure works for me. I haven't had a single leg cramp after drinking my pickle juice (knock on wood!)

Cassandra

Pickle juice!

yuk!!!!!!!!! but if it works?

is it cramps? restles leg? sleep running(or walking) one leg or both?
watch out fot those bananas , theyll mess up your keyboard
and i'm not sure i'd mix those remedies (bananas + pickle juice )
glad to see ya back here again!!

night sweats should be investigated, also stretching the legs helps

UGHH! I posted a reply and I can't see it! Oh well, Thank you all again for the advice, will be giving some of these a try for sure.
Fatigued

FatiguedMe wrote:UGHH! I posted a reply and I can't see it!
Fatigued

Yeah, it took me a few months to figure out that when I finished a post and hit "Submit"---if my post composition page showed again, rather than the Post Confirmed note.....it meant that someone had posted just before I did, and their note shows if I scoll up or down on the composition page. The idea is so you can revise your response after reading the one who posted just before you completed yours. Unfortunately, I was just hitting the Back button, to return to the forum page, ignoring that I had to hit "Submit" a second time---and so my post would not register.

Is this as clear as mud??