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[Lozzer25]

Good evening everyone. I'm really new to using one of these forums but desperately need advice. I have osteoarthritis in my hip and have just recently been diagnosed with it in my spine after endless trips to the drs with backache. I'm currently getting injections for my spine but just recently I have been getting lots of cramp in my hips and legs. It takes ages at night to get comfy in bed as my legs hurt then when I finally fall asleep if I dare to turn over the cramp in my legs has me up out of bed. All I want to know is this happening to anyone else or am I being soft. I'm a 48 year old female. Thanks in advance x

[Hidden]

Hello

I have it in my neck and my foot and when it gets bad it is very painful and can go on for weeks.

To help with the pain I take turmeric and black pepper capsules (don't take if you are on blood thinners) and a recent discovery that help is tiger balm.

I get the pain in my neck and shoulders mostly but the stuff I mentioned seems to help with it.

I hope this helps.

[Lozzer25 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou for your quick reply I will try these x

[Hidden in reply to Lozzer25]

Ok and good luck.

[deejames]

Hi Lozzer. Do you mean you get spasm type cramps ? Or numbness ?

I sleep with a pillow between my knees which helps.

Dee

[Lozzer25 in reply to deejames]

Hi Dee I get spasm type cramp which is really painful xx

[amblechris]

I suffer with arthritis in elbow and knee on right side and have pain problems in bed and find it almost impossible to sleep, your definitely not being soft x

[Julesboz]

Hi there, I have arthritis in my hands and suspect it’s starting in my toes too, and one of the things I suffer from is cramps in my toes at night so it doesn’t sound familiar.

[DartmoorDumpling]

Cramp can be a symptom of dehydration or a salt inbalance particularly if you have perspired or exercised a lot. Try drinking a glass of water last thing...even if it means getting up for the loo in the night. If you suffer from restless, twitchy legs, getting up and relaxing with a cup of tea and a book for a while before going back to bed seems to calm the tension in the leg muscles, which sometimes can get almost over-tired. I tend to want to eat something carbohydrate at night too, which is a bad habit and not conducive to weight loss...but does help me get back to sleep after a disturbed night! I try and keep it to a banana or one biscuit....!

[Reg1]

Good day to you Lozzer. Some medication can cause this type of symptoms. A few clients have had problems with for example, Tramadol and similar. Changing meds often helps. How are your potassium levels? As Dartmoor Dumpling has suggested; a banana (high in potassium) may be of benefit. Remedial massage also helps. All the best, Reg.

[Buffafly]

Hi, that sounds familiar and I really sympathise - I thought I was quite tough but the pain at night and disturbed sleep really got me down.

Here are a couple of things I have found useful: Stretching exercises, pulling knee up to chest and holding, sitting on edge of bed or a high chair and swinging leg back and forward with ankle flexed so you feel a pull in your leg muscles and the base of your spine. Sleeping with pillow under knees or legs resting on pillow(s) from the knees down. I can't lie on my left side at all but a pillow between the knees helps on the other side.

Best wishes.