HI I GET ALOT OF CRAMP IN MY LEGS AT ... - Lung Conditions C...
HI I GET ALOT OF CRAMP IN MY LEGS AT NITE WHEN I,M TRYING TO SLEEP. IS THIS COMMON WITH HAVING COPD. ANY IDEAS WHAT WOULD HELP. THANKS MAGS.
Hi poppy2poppy
Yes it is something a few people get and can be some of the meds that cause this. There was another post about this, not sure if the search is working to bring up previous posts.
Things that some people find helpful :-
Drink plenty of water through the day time hours
Vicks vapo rub on soles of feet and calf muscle just before bed
Drink tonic water just before bed (make sure it has quinine)
If severe the doctor can prescribe you quinine tablets
If you know which med may be the problem speak to your doctor about possible options.
Formeterol fumerate causes me cramps if I take an evening dose, I don't take the evening dose now and as a result I don't get cramp too often.
Hope you find something that works.
Others likely have other suggestions.
Best wishes BC
Thankyou so much for youre help and advice. mags
Check the quinine with your other meds.. I have cramps too.
Cramps can be caused, among other things, lack of calcium or potassium, or dehydration. Bananas provide potassium and some people swear by them for getting rid of cramps (you eat them, not spread them on your legs, ha ha!!). I would check with your gp about your symptoms first though, just in case you do have a deficiency that can be corrected by the right meds. Good luck! Sadie xx
Hi poppy 
I had the same problem last year. A friend of my is fitness trainer and told me to take magnesium you can take it as tablets for water I like them because you shall drink a lot water. I have started with 3 glas a week you will feel a change after a week or more. You also should do some stretching exercise with your legs. Now I had no cramps for ages. I just have now 1 glass a week and works for me. I still do regular stretching training you can do while you sit just push your toes up and down to stretch your legs, or walk a bit on your toes. I really had long time no cramps. I hope it will work for you too, take care of you 
Hi, are you using a ventolin (blue) inhaler - my husband gets dreadful cramps when he uses that inhaler. But he doesn't get in when he uses the salbutamol in the nebuliser. He was given another reliever inhaler - Bricanyl which doesn't cause the cramps (But he doesn't think it is very effective!) I hope that you are able to sort it out. TAD xx
Hi Poppy, for years I was murdered by night cramps. I used to be on soluble paracetamol for another problem and when I changed to cocodamol the cramps disappeared. M
I have cramp night and day. Lack of magnesium can cause it. It won't do you any harm. Tonic water. Plenty of fluids. Hope something works soon. I've just ordered some magnesium, let you know how I get on. Take care
Hi, I find that drinking either tonic water or bitter lemon, which both have quinine in them, really helps. I keep a bottle by my bed as I get thirsty from the O2 and having a swig regularly stops the cramp. If really bad, your Doc can prescribe Quinine tablets.
Hi Mags
I also get severe cramp at nights and I do believe mine is caused by medication. Trouble is, we need this medication to help treat our lungs!!!
I do take Quinine and now try to eat a banana each day. This appears to be helping.
Thérèse
A retired nurse told me to wrap 5/ 7 or 9 corks in a cotton cloth and place in bed with you. I know. It sounds crazy but so does water divining and my husband is expert at that! I have used the corks for four weeks now and I have only experienced one mild and one moderate attack. It used to occur several nights a week and had me in agony. She told me 4 out of 7 people find it beneficial. Quinine was no help at all. I was told by the doctor that you had to drink several bottles of tonic water for it to be effective. Believe me, I have tried everything! I also suffer from restless legs and these have settled down too. I am crossing my fingers as I write this - which is very difficult! .
I had terrible night cramp while on the fostair inhaler, now on symbicort and only get a little minor cramp in my feet. But of course its not the meds according to my consultant.
tell us ot the meds,they want try for 2 week,eh,
I do eat a banana a day but I have more of a problem with cramp like pain in my calf's when walking
offcut, I take banana daily,1 orange,had no cramp as yet,touch wood,bernice
Thankyou to everyone for the hints and tips, at this point I will try anything. will let you all know how I get on. Thankyou once again.
Good Luck and hope you find some relief soon. x
Thankyou to everyone for the hints and tips. I will let you all know how I get on.
I too have terrible cramp in legs and feet at night. It does not wear off properly in the day so walking is often vry painful. I find it is much worse when i am anaemic. Doc told me lack of iron gives you cramp. It also makes the hypothyroid effects worse. Have been off liquid iron for last 10 days as having heavy hospital week. Cramp really bad and I'm exhausted. Will be back on liquid iron really soon, like Saturday. Good luck. Alison
