Lots of charlie horses in early am hours

Being a trail runner for so many years, and a cyclist afterwards, I'm very familiar with the benefits of potassium. Be careful not to overdose on it tho, that can be a big medical problem. Here's a good place to get started: http://www.livestrong.com/article/43152 ... ke-levels/

Also magnesium plays an important role... check out this website. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnes ... sional/#h3

Just wondering if you are borderline in one of the areas previously discussed and something pushes your muscles over the edge. I say that because your description sounds like what sometimes happens to me when I've been lax on my supplements and a movement associated with my PLMD triggers the onset of a charley horse type cramp. It will wake me up as it's happening and I have to act quickly to stretch out the muscles to ward off a big cramp. Not saying that's your situation, just that's it's mine.

Also had a bunch of calf cramps recently...been eating bananas again after laying off of them for a while, and that took care of the calf cramps. I don't love bananas, but better than waking up with a calf cramp in the middle of the night. Always works for me, that's about all that does, although another potassium source most likely would.

kteague wrote:Just wondering if you are borderline in one of the areas previously discussed and something pushes your muscles over the edge.

What do you mean by borderline in one of the areas previously discussed?

I say that because your description sounds like what sometimes happens to me when I've been lax on my supplements and a movement associated with my PLMD triggers the onset of a charley horse type cramp. It will wake me up as it's happening and I have to act quickly to stretch out the muscles to ward off a big cramp. Not saying that's your situation, just that's it's mine.

It is exactly like the dorsiflexion of the foot that is described in PLMS. Sometimes I catch it before I do a complete flex of the foot and while I can still ward off a full charlie horse, and other times it's too late and I'm grabbing for my calf, trying to rub that area as it's tying itself into a knot.

SleepingUgly wrote:

kteague wrote:Just wondering if you are borderline in one of the areas previously discussed and something pushes your muscles over the edge.

What do you mean by borderline in one of the areas previously discussed?

I say that because your description sounds like what sometimes happens to me when I've been lax on my supplements and a movement associated with my PLMD triggers the onset of a charley horse type cramp. It will wake me up as it's happening and I have to act quickly to stretch out the muscles to ward off a big cramp. Not saying that's your situation, just that's it's mine.

It is exactly like the dorsiflexion of the foot that is described in PLMS. Sometimes I catch it before I do a complete flex of the foot and while I can still ward off a full charlie horse, and other times it's too late and I'm grabbing for my calf, trying to rub that area as it's tying itself into a knot.

I meant in something like potassium or hydration, not enough to create a problem but enough to be triggered by something else, or "pushed over the edge". Does that make any sense?

Yeah, I'm going to try to add a little more of this stuff.

I sometimes get charlie horses in my calf muscles too. Bananas seem to help a lot if I remember to eat one a day.

Another thing that can trigger cramping in your legs appears to be statin medication to help reduce bad cholesterol. See:

http://www.healthcentral.com/cholestero ... 2851/30819

Not on statins.

Of course, though you might not be on statins, it might help another reader.

Another option to consider is that diuretics (to reduce blood pressure) can also lead to a drop in vital electrolytes and minerals. It's another possible source of problems.

SleepingUgly wrote: I am on 400mg of magnesium oxide at night and labs don't suggest magnesium is a problem.

Sounds like mg to me. You can have low mg at a cellular level and serum mg will read as normal. Mg oxide is very poorly absorbed. Take a look here: http://www.livestrong.com/article/28365 ... ate-oxide/

Mg citrate is far better. Try "Natural Calm", a powder to add to water. Tastes good and it will help your hydration.

Insufficient mg can cause a myriad of symptoms, muscle spasms included. Take a look here for symptoms of mg deficiency: http://www.jigsawhealth.com/resources/magnesium-miracle

Base your dose on symptom relief, not serum levels. If you get loose stools before you get symptom relief, try a dermal application of mg oil, or mg bath soaks.

Good Luck!

Weirdly, the charlie horses got worse for both my husband and me after we went low carb.

My 2 cents. I use to get them every so often. Since being on CPAP that stopped.

Another suggestion along with the other good ones here... wear white, cotton socks to bed. I think all that really does is keep your feet warm so that your muscles don't tighten up... but that seems to help me.