Brest cancer, after chemo and radiation, Legs/foot cramps!

[Ldonovan481]

Hi all

I finished chemo then radiation March. I had my one hip replaced March. I still have a port, every 3 weeks I have a steroid, hepercin, benedril, infused. This will be over in Nov.

I get the WORST foot/leg cramps at night. I’ve been drinking enough water. I eat banana. It seems to happen when I stretch, but not always. THEY HURT! I thought maybe my shoes, I wear flip flops for now. They only way to get rid of them is get up, walk. I do not get a full nights sleep. It can happen as many as 4/5 times each night. Suggestions? Thank you!

[SeattleMom]

Hello! Yes, eat a dollop of mustard! Works every time!! 👍👍💗💗

[Ldonovan481 in reply to SeattleMom]

What?? I never heard that before! Yellow Dijon?

[SeattleMom in reply to Ldonovan481]

No, just regular everyday mustard , about half a teaspoon, and give it about 5 minutes. It has never failed me or my entire family! 👍👍

[Iwasborntodothis]

Maybe try Calm magnesium supplement drink before bed.

[bikebabe]

I find tonic water helps -the quinine in it is anti cramp

[Jhshl512]

Hi, this is going to sound crazy, but it works. Chew 2 Tums right before bed. If you still get a cramp at night chew 2 more and they disappear quickly. I was told to do this by a coworker of mine who’s a RN. Hope this helps.

[NPmary]

I keep a pair of compassion socks at my bedside and put them on as quickly as possible this sometimes dissipates the spasm completely or at least mitigates it. Standing pushing down on a folded towel is helpful to when it's very bad. Good luck!

[Half-Full]

Good suggestions above, although the mustard is a new one on me. I would just add that similar to possible low levels of magnesium, your potassium may also be low. My wife needs to take a prescription potassium supplements to help with her occasional leg cramps.

[Jhshl512]

Yes, and that’s why the Tums work

[Ldonovan481 in reply to Jhshl512]

? Why?

[Jhshl512 in reply to Ldonovan481]

I believe it’s the lack of calcium in your body and the tums contain calcium. That’s what my RN friend said. It really doesn’t matter because it just works

[sevoia]

Drink some pickle juice

[Dragonfly2]

While no one can explain why mustard or pickle juice work go IMMEDIATELY relieve a cramp, it does so4k. We now have French’s yellow mustard in the bedroom…so much better than running to the kitchen to help my husband. So the thinking is that the sour taste interferes with the brain signals that create the cramp. Tums may work as well because you’re focusing on chewing and ..bingo, same result…though if you’re lacking calcium this may also be a help.