muscle cramping

[Emmers5]

Any suggestions for relief? Have been relatively well for the past year or so, but still have muscle cramps randomly. Lying in bed at night if I move my foot it cramps like crazy. Sometimes I bend over to tie my shoe and my abs will cramp and then if I lean back to relieve the cramp my back and sides will seize up. Occasionally a wild leg cramp. I’m fairly active but by no means in good shape. (Diagnosed PA 6 years ago, now si every 5 days, few symptoms remaining, also Hashimoto’s thyroid well controlled)

[OldmanD]

You could try magnesium glycinate .. . . . . .

[Emmers5 in reply to OldmanD]

Thanks I will read about that

[Nackapan]

Are you low in sodium?A very warm Epsom salt bath?

[Emmers5 in reply to Nackapan]

I would think I have plenty from a less than perfect diet wouldn’t I?

[Narwhal10]

Hi Emmers5,

Cramp can be horrible and very painful. OldmanD and Nackapan give great suggestions of magnesium and Epsom salt bath. If you can’t get into a bath just a foot soak whilst reading or television.

Potassium is a bit of a tricky one and linked to cramp too but I’m always wary to advise taking a supplement of it. Just it can cause more problems if too much.

If you can tolerate bananas or like coconut milk, beetroot these can be good sources. With coconut milk, the body does not have to work so hard breaking it down.

[Emmers5 in reply to Narwhal10]

Thank you. I always appreciate the input from the forum. You all are invaluable

[Heloise]

Emmers5, many people have problems with mineral intake for many reasons. You could take a trace mineral supplement. Some people needed molybdenum or manganese for some reason but it helped in some way. We really are subject to certain deficiencies. There are tests to find them.

[Emmers5 in reply to Heloise]

Thank you. I will pursue this with my dr as I have an appointment coming up this month

[Heloise in reply to Emmers5]

Part of the problem may be due to low stomach acid which is very much needed to metabolize minerals. Low B12, folate, ferritin can all be problematic so try to get your free t3 level in an upper quadrant when you are tested. This helps to bring up your metabolism for many other functions to work.

[MrsTuft]

There can be many causes of muscle cramps. Dehydration. Side effect of medication. Low minerals like magnesium potassium and others. I’d drink a glass of water with electrolyte drops in it twice a day and check the side effects of any medications and discuss with doctor / pharmacist.

[Emmers5 in reply to MrsTuft]

Good ideas. Thanks

[GracePV]

I am able to stop sciatica pain and cramps by keeping my lower spine warm while I am sleeping. Just a thought.

[Sailinglady]

Ask your doctor for a blood test to rule out any imbalances that may be causing the cramps. Guidelines recommend taking pyridoxine (a B vitamin) for cramps, so may be worth a try. I think 30mg or 50mg daily. Avoid more than 100mg/day because that's supposed to cause neuropathy in some people.

[tomdickharry]

I make sure to get enough minerals, keep my B12 high, and massage with a muscle rub like Deep Heat or SiNOZ. My cramps have gone from most severe to none.

[B12life]

I second OldmanD, typically cramping, esp when in bed and you stretch, is due to magnesium. take the version he recommended. it can also be due to potassium. find some good sources of potassium.

[ReallyWondering]

I’ve also had calf, feet and toe cramping sometimes during the day but mostly at night. Horrible! For me, it’s usually because I haven’t drank enough water. I need to drink 6-8 12 oz glasses a day. It has become less often since I started injecting B12.

[OldmanD in reply to ReallyWondering]

Yes dehydration is very common unseen problem. . . . . When taking B12 or any B vitamins ye need plenty of water as B vitamins are water soluble and excreted quick quickly so the body needs fluids to do so. . . . . . .

[Seabird4]

Cramps can be difficult to manage at times & sore too. I too experience them but they have reduced since PA B12 injections & thyroid meds for Hashimotos. I eat a banana, walnuts, dates & almonds daily, maintain fluid intake, the odd tonic water. I do keep magnesium on hand too. Sports med advice is to take a glass of fresh orange & a tsp salt drink. This works quickly for me. Hope you find a solution.

[Peter2345556]

I had severe calf cramping a few years back. Found that B1 helped a lot 100-200mg daily

[Hockey_player]

I play ice hockey and sweat a lot. Especially at tournaments when we have a lot of games in just a few days. I sometimes get cramps and I suspect I am low on potassium when that happens. Green gatorade (lemon lime) and bananas help.

[Emmers5]

update:

The muscle cramping is dramatically improved since I started having one stick of liquid iv every morning. I use it in about 24 oz of water so the taste isn’t overly strong. I’ve always been good about having plenty of fluids so I presume some of the ingredients are what has been helpful.