Charlie Horse and sleep apnea?

Is there any relationship between leg charlie horse (muscle spasm) and sleep apnea? I get a lot of painful leg spasms in my sleep that wake me up almost screaming in pain, I try to stand and my toes are literally locked in a flexed position. I have actually had these as part of my dreams then I would wake up in pain.

I've had them for a long time; not sure if they're related to sleep apnea or not, however. I get them awake, too.

It's when you get a hamstring cramp that you know life really sucks for a bit, especially if you're jerked out of sleep by one. Ow.

Not sure about a relationship with OSA. I regularly get the cramps that go with Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, but the muscle cramps of a charley horse make PLMD feel like a cakewalk. I was awakened one night with such intense unrelenting muscle cramps I ended up in the ER. But when I notice my toes cramping, it's a pretty sure bet my potassium is low, as it chronically is due to meds. Some say theirs is tied to low sodium. If you haven't already, having your doc check your electrolytes might be a good place to start.

It's a magnesium deficiency. Try taking some magnesium citrate (not magnesium oxide) supplements in the afternoon.

magnesium citrate

???Are you sure? I used that prior to my colonoscopy to clean out.

Dehydration can also be a contributing factor to cramps.

BasementDwellingGeek wrote:

magnesium citrate

???Are you sure? I used that prior to my colonoscopy to clean out.

Dehydration can also be a contributing factor to cramps.

Uhhh No. A colonoscopy prep would be a bit over board.

Try this supplement instead ...

http://www.calmnatural.com/natural-calm ... um-citrate

You could look into magnesium malate. My doctor recommended that I take it for muscle spasms. Seems to help

I get cramps a lot at night - unless I take at least a 4oz glass of tonic water before bed.

No idea why this works, but it does - for me anyway.

My sodium, potassium and magnesium levels are fine according to my labs, and I drink one gallon of water every day.

cheers,
xena

Hi - all of you - look up spinal stenosis... and see your doctors.

Yep. Maleate is a good choice as is glycinate and taurate although they are a bit more expensive than citrate.

I've dealt with my muscle cramps/twitching with the citrate version quite well.

Magnesium chloride as magnesium oil or gel is a good option for those with sensitive digestive systems. It is taken transdermal through the skin.

Julie wrote:Hi - all of you - look up spinal stenosis... and see your doctors.

Doctors cost lots of money. X-rays, MRI's and EMG cost more. Surgery costs the most.

William of Occum suggests the more simpler approach first ... Mg deficiency.

Not sure what spinal stenosis has to do with a charlie horse ... perhaps you posted to wrong thread?

I woke up with a wicked charley horse Wednesday morning.
(Chased the three-year old all over the place on Tuesday--forgot my water--or he drank it.)
It happens when I've let myself get a bit dehydrated, or need to eat a banana.
Hadn't had one for months--now this really ugly one. Ow!

Spinal stenosis, common in people no longer young, often gives leg and foot cramps... which is why I said to look it up. Magnesium can help, but won't cure an orthpedic condition already in place.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/night- ... ION=causes
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/night- ... e-a-doctor