Leg cramps!! Physical reason ?? Blood supply or medications side effect??

[Alemo27]

Have ,periodically, severe night leg cramps ! Can it be side effect from any medications, including antibiotics and supplements?

I am massaging the legs with cold pack when it has started. Terrible pain is breaking the nights!!

[etheral]

Which antibiotics and what other meds do you take? etheral

[JoseT]

cramps usually point to low potassium levels

[CDreamer]

SO many reasons but mine is Magnesium deficiency (Muscles need Magnesium to relax and Calcium to contract) and some drugs deplete Magnesium levels. Mine are caused by a neurological condition and exacerbated by a med I take. I think it’s also very common as you age.

Solution - eat foods rich in Magnesium and Potassium (unless there are contraindications) and keep a Magnesium Oil Spray and spray prior to going to bed. A warm pad (not cold) on the affected muscles also helps to keep the cramps at bay.

[MalcolmCClark]

Hi thereCramps can also be caused by the lack of certain nutrients in the diet. So do you know if you have a lack of calcium or vit D?

There may be causes that need looking at so if you have concerns and the cramps disrupt sleep then I would suggest getting it checked out. The lack of nutrients could also be caused by an interaction with other drugs so again worth s chat with your doctor.

[Visitingcat]

I used to suffer badly with cramps in the top of my feet and up my shins or occasionally my calves.Every time we went away somewhere my first night would be spent moving my legs around in bed trying to stop it “biting”.

This would be because we had always walked around a lot more than usual on holiday.Eventually though it was nearly every night.

Did some reading and magnesium deficiency was suggested. I start taking a low dose of magnesium taurate and it worked for me, almost straight away, also it helped a lot with insomnia.

Maybe have a look into whether perhaps you can take it with your meds or check with your GP or pharmacist.

Sorry if you have already heard all this before, just thought it was worth a mention.

[Maggimunro]

I used to get awful painful leg cramps during the night. I then started taking magnesium before going to sleep and the problem has been almost eliminated. If my fingers go into spasm I know I need to take two capsules instead of the usual one and that settles me down again.

[irene75359 in reply to Maggimunro]

Gosh, my fingers go into spasm as well, you are the first other person I have met who gets it as well. I obviously need to start taking my magnesium again.

[Auriculaire in reply to irene75359]

My fingers spasm too. Its mostly my little finger and thumb on my left hand and when it happens they contract and won't go back till I massage them . I take about 400mg a day of magnesium.

[Barlick43]

I have dreadful night cramps where I jump from bed and try not to scream. Mine are in the front of my shin and top of foot as if it is tension bursts in tendons and ligaments rather than muscle. My dr doesn’t seem interested. I stopped amlipodine and statins for a while but cannot really tell if that helped as such events are very intermittent…every couple of months for 2-3 nights in a row. I have tried supplements an rubbing magnesium. I don’t assume it is dangerous but it is bl..dy painful. Let me know if you learn anything and I will if I do. I do note wine might be a contributer (sulphites?) where Gin and tonic doesn’t seem to correlate.

[CDreamer in reply to Barlick43]

Shin splints are very painful and often linked to poor posture and footwear. I can no longer wear flip flops which I used to live in. I found a podiatrist who helped me with stretches & arch supports which helped.

[Maggimunro in reply to CDreamer]

I agree CD, shin splints are felt on the front of the shins. I used to get them when I used to run down hill daily. I had to give up running and hike instead.

[JanetL80]

I know what you mean. I have them as well but I find it is usually if I have not drunk enough liquid during the day. I always try to drink 1/2 large glasses of water a day, easiest when taking medication and this seems to help a lot. I find it most when I have been travelling and that day I don’t seem to drink enough and the night is hell😒

[2018NSR]

Lack of hydration and magnesium and potassium deficiency is a huge cause of leg cramps.

[Janey1955]

I had terrible leg cramps when on bisoprol as soon as they took me off it the cramps stopped

[Alemo27]

I am very thankful to all who has replied to my question!I am , practically, have already incorporate the most of the suggestion here!

Checked the blood flow as well!

Still have extremely painful disturbing nights!