magnesium recommendations for cramp

[CaroCaz]

anybody got any magnesium supplement recommendations for really bad cramp in feet ankles and calves at night, really not sure of the dosage or any particular branding that is better than the others?

[Blearyeyed]

This does depend on what conditions you have and which medications you are on as certain people should not take oral Magnesium , especially at night, would you mind sharing that info?

[CaroCaz in reply to Blearyeyed]

thanks - atorvastatin and ezetimibe and hrt

[Blearyeyed in reply to CaroCaz]

So you aren't on any cardiac medications like beta blockers , hypertension meds or blood thinners?Do you have Hypotension ( low blood pressure ) or periods of Bradycardia ( low heart rate, including at night , any kidney issues , poor circulation ?

These are things that you need to consider before taking oral Magnesium supplements because they can interact with certain meds or make symptoms like lightheadedness, dizziness , fatigue and hypotension or bradycardia worse for various blood pressure and heart rate conditions as Mg has heart rate lowering effects.

If you don't have issues that would be effected by use of Magnesium and active form is better without Magnesium Sulphate or large doses of Citrate. Nutrition Geeks Magnesium Glycinate 3-1 capsules are a good all round option for nerve and muscle pain , brain function and mood , insomnia and to aid reduction of certain cardiac and autonomic symptoms. The product suggests two capsules daily but from my experience I'd say you most people would only require one , two is a dose which is high . You should definitely start on one capsule a day to see if you tolerate taking Magnesium and to make sure it causes no side effects for you .

A low dose of active Magnesium taken after an early evening meal or with some milk or a snack a few hours before bed can be beneficial for some.

You should not take Magnesium supplements at the same time as heart medications or blood thinners, so leave at least four hours between the dose of meds and a Magnesium supplement.

If you are only using Magnesium for things like restless legs syndrome , peripheral neuropathy, joint or muscle pain then people whom should not take Magnesium supplements can still use Topical Magnesium in the form of a lotion , cream or butter safely.

BetterYou has the best topical Magnesium options because they have also been tested by a British University to prove what dosage you absorb on application.

I use this brand and would recommend it as an option.

Flexiseq and Pernaton ( you do need to check if you can choose Pernaton with certain meds) are two good options to use in the daytime for painful joints but they are quite expensive. Apply in the morning after a shower or warming the joints or before physical activity.

It's best to put on creams with gentle upward massage on warmed skin of after a shower for better absorption and hour before bed. Raising your legs on pillows or the bottom legs of the bed so the lower legs are raised help improve the circulation at night and reduce the cramps as well.

Increasing your fluid intake during the day , increasing your B vitamins and Magnesium and Vitamin D in your diet also helps improve joint pain and cramps.

Using gentle stretching , joint rotation and isometric exercises for the joints for a few minutes , a couple of times a day can also reduce RLS and numbness.

Don't do physical exercise that places pressure in the joints or exerts the muscles for at least two hours before bed , this increases night time throbbing in the muscles and increases the chance of insomnia.

If your joint cramps began after beginning your statin you may find a change of brand would help Atorvastatin has cramp as a more common side effect. I take Rosuvastatin and Ezetimibe and have not noticed any cramps or aches caused by these over what I have from my other health issues.

It's also worth requesting some blood tests from the GP to rule out other causes of these symptoms as they can often be caused by other vitamin Deficiencies or mineral imbalance not just Magnesium.

If you have not had these recently request a full blood count , Iron/ Ferritin , Vitamin B 12 , Folate , Vitamin D , kidney electrolytes and liver function.

You can request these tests as a baseline to be more proactive in your own care but also because medications like statins can cause some issues with nutrient absorption so it's recommended to have them monitored every 6-12 months.

B12, Folate and Vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency are often common culprits in causing muscle and joint pain and mobility problems but it's better to know if you have a problem rather than just taking a supplement , especially in relation to Vitamin D which can be toxic if your levels are normal or high and you take too much,

These tests would help you see if there are any other changes to your diet that may be helpful in improving your symptoms and general health.

It is also worth having these tests done if you have FH as nutrient insufficiency can also make a difference to how well we absorb our medications and reduces the bodies ability to cope with cholesterol removal.

Hope that helps , Bee

[CaroCaz in reply to Blearyeyed]

Wow thank you feel very extensive offer of suggestions and help. I really appreciate that- I have been diagnosed with FH and may be worth having a conversation with the GP about all of this. I was hoping that it would be a case of a simple magnesium supplement, but I don’t think it is You don’t really realise how supplements can affect or change other medications or conditions. You kind of think that if they are just supplements, they are harmless.

[Gladstone001 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Many folk in thus forum are on beta blockers and anticoagulants and take magnesium orally to help AF symptoms. Mag Taurate is generally the chosen delivery.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Gladstone001]

It does depend on which condition you have , and what blood pressure and heart rate issues or the type of blood thinners / anticoagulants you use, or what you are using the Magnesium to treat.People should really consult their Cardiologist before taking high doses of Magnesium, that is generally the medical advice given because of the effect it can have on heart rate and circulation if combined with medications.

I also have AF and mixed Arrhythmias which developed after a genetic neuro- cardiological tachycardia condition caused Chronic Dysautonomia and Pots.

[APC65 in reply to CaroCaz]

Atorvastatin can cause muscle cramps it might be worth exploring a different statins with your GP.

[CaroCaz in reply to APC65]

yes I had also read about atorvastatin causing muscle problems but not necessarily cramps. It may be though that that is the way my body is responding , so thank you for your response. I think I will get an appointment with the GP and have a chat about a possible change.

[fishonabike in reply to CaroCaz]

some people find it helpful to take CoQ10 with statins to help with side effects - i have no personal experience but have heard from othere with experience who found it helpful - as usual check with a pharmacist before trying

[Goldenre]

I've suffered with nocturnal leg, ankle and foot cramps for decades. One thing I've learned is magnesium does nothing to relieve them. They are always worse if I've indulged in carbs for dinner. When I abstain from desserts I find I'm free of those awful annoying muscle cramps. Sugar is the culprit.

[CaroCaz in reply to Goldenre]

yes that is interesting. I will keep an eye on that and see if I noticed the same.

[Seal59]

That’s interesting, I have noticed the same but never found anyone who agreed with me.

[Bishop1]

Magnesium oil spray from Holland and Barrett works great for me

[CaroCaz in reply to Bishop1]

Yes I think sometimes the topical sprays and creams can be very helpful and they are not having to go through your liver to be processed so that’s a good thing, I may try that as a local remedy?

[fishonabike in reply to Bishop1]

interesting - do you use it daily or apply when you get cramps?

[Bishop1 in reply to fishonabike]

Apply when I get the cramp. Spray it on and rub it upwards and cramps disappearGood luck x x

[fishonabike in reply to Bishop1]

thanks, i moght try that - magnesium orally dod norhing helpful, so it's worth a try

[Suzyh]

I get cramp the same my doc said it sometimes happens when on statins he lowered my dose and a lot better can also happen if on duretics

[Sorry2]

I suffer from this, sometimes quite severe.I buy the small tins of tonic water from supermarket. Drink one and cramp is completely gone in 30 -50 seconds. Miraculous, works for me every time. Apparently it's the quinine that does it.

[CaroCaz in reply to Sorry2]

Wow I’ll try that ! Thanks

[Bhunabhoy]

Hi

I use the supplement shown below, and I’m on the full gamut of meds following a heart attack and angioplasty last September. I used to get a lot of cramp in my legs, which would disrupt my sleep, but since taking this supplement it has gone. ATB!

amzn.eu/d/5uKw8yV

[CaroCaz in reply to Bhunabhoy]

Thanks I’ll take a look

[Bhunabhoy]

it is Superself Magnesium Glycinate with Zinc and Vitamin B6 300mg in case the link doesn’t work, I got it on Amazon.

[Daisy0027]

I use a topical spray . Better You is the brand. It's marvellous.

[KathleenV]

My friend told me she got regular cramp in her legs in bed at night. She asked the pharmacist for advice and he suggested she try Indian tonic water. She now has a small glass every night before bed and says she has never had cramp since. The other idea is to put a block of soap in bed with you near your legs. You can check and will find most soaps contain magnesium. I tried this but don't get cramp nowadays. Worth a try.

[CaroCaz in reply to KathleenV]

Wow that’s funny re soap ! I’ll try that !

[jim7]

I have been taking a small glass of tonic water for cramps in my calves and feet. taken everyday it has helped. good luck

[GoodHearty]

Also try soaking feet in bath salts, which are high in magnesium. Whenever I get cramps, a pinch of salt in warm water fixes it instantly.

[readyabout]

Very interesting and detailed responses, I take magnesium for general welbeing and cramps in calf, foot and toe, the one I take is 'together health' and I chose this because it has 5 forms of magnesium (didn't know there were 5 forms!) the capsules are 188mg, but on the advice of my Naturapath I take two to get closer to 400mg. I am not on any Dr medication, but have recently had a pacemaker fitted, advice is that magnesium should be taken in the evening. And there are specific best times for other supplements.

[gset]

I use a magnesium gel I get in Holland and Barrett and apply it to legs before I go to bed- really helps me.

[Ironfloor173]

I don't know if I have missed something but I suffered from cramp in a few areas. I have taken Quinine for years and don't have the serious cramp pain I used to have. I take the usual heart medications with no issues.

[CaroCaz in reply to Ironfloor173]

I see others take a tonic water , do you do that or take in another form ?

[CaroCaz]

In what form do you take quinine ?

[Hidden]

I suffer too if I start to stretch I can feel a knot starting so I have to counteract it to prevent the horrible thing happening! I was changed to Risuvastatin some time ago from Simvastatin ( which I had no issues with) so I’m wondering if it might be that! Also all my fingertips are slightly numb to the extent the letters on my phone do not respond - could that statin be a cause or something else entirely?

Epsom salts in a bath also help prevent cramps

[Jaytyson]

I used mag Pico to help with cramps caused by furosemide. Around ten times RDA I find is sweet spot for myself.

[Jaytyson]

And yes tonic water had quinine in it. Think it's an anti malaria drug. Doesn't help me but heard ppl say it

[Coco51]

I take Magnesium Taurate - a half dose - and find it also helps my Atrial Fibrillation. It was recommended by a cardiologist.I'm also on Apixaban, Bisoprolol,Lisinopril, Pravastatin. I recently started Dapagliflozin, Spironolactone (v low dose ) for heart failure.

This week I had cramps at night for the first time in ages and realised the weather has warmed up and I was dehydrated. Yesterday I drank a lot more and it was better last night! If it recurs I'll try increasing Mag Taurate to a full dose.

Interesting about the suggestions above for Magnesium spray and Tonic Water. Worth a try.

[Thongchuay]

In my case of standard meds following a heart attack and angioplasty 4 years ago I fight cramps in my legs in the nighttime by taking magnesium before sleep.

It helps me regardless of quality, the cheap magnesium does its job as good as the very expensive one. I prefer powder over pills or fizzy tablets.

[Naka]

I've had really bad cramps during the night. Tried everything under the sun till I stumbled on Celtic salt. Have a pinch 2-3 x a day in an 8oz glass of water. Celtic sea salt contains 34 trace minerals however, some beneficial minerals are added to the salt while refining. This grey salt contains 33% of sodium as compared to Himalayan salt which contains 98% sodium chloride. The lower sodium concentration is because of the presence of brine water in Celtic sea salt.