1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

Severe leg cramps: How do you relax severe leg cramps?

Posted by Dawn, Alumni Mentor @dawn_giacabazi, Jun 25, 2016

Please someone tell me the trick to relax severe leg cramps????
Lord, they are lasting 1-2 hours, debilitating pain. Can't walk them off. Starting behind the knees down to my toes. Some curl my toes some point them. Tried stretching, bio feedback relaxation. NO HELP!! HELP!

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workswithclay29 | @workswithclay29 | Sep 28, 2018
In reply to @barbarn "@workswithclay29 - someone also suggested Hylands Leg Cramp pills - I get them at the natural..." + (show)
@barbarn

@workswithclay29 - someone also suggested Hylands Leg Cramp pills - I get them at the natural food store. You just dissolve them under your tongue - sounds a little 'hocus-pocus' but you never know when something might help. Your cramps sound so severe. I have used tonic water for years (you get used to the taste), (and I also add a little vodka), but I do think there is something to the tonic remedy (actually - it's quinine).

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@barbarn
Thanks for responding! I used Hylands pills several years ago. Did not work for me then. I use diet tonic water to cut my wine and gin and tonic drinks. May not be enough pure quinine or the artificial sweetener may interfere. Will look into a purer form of quinine. Thanks again.

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workswithclay29 | @workswithclay29 | Sep 28, 2018
In reply to @degarden_girl "Hi @workswithclay29 , It is possible that your leg cramps are actually a result of lumbar..." + (show)
@degarden_girl

Hi @workswithclay29 , It is possible that your leg cramps are actually a result of lumbar spine issues. I stretch my spine by doing a yoga pose called "active child's pose" Once I am in the pose, I hold it for as long as I can feel the stretch in the lower spine. It is important to try to push your butt to your heels to get the best stretch. You can google yoga poses to find something that shows you this easy pose. I wish you good luck getting this under control. It is horrible to have our sleep so disturbed.

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@degarden_girl
Thank you for replying. Uncanny but yes I have lumbar spinal issues. Next month I will undergo a "burning" of the lumbar nerves to relieve pain. The surgeon, however, said that the procedure would not relieve the leg/foot cramps. He said to take a multivitamin and stay hydrated. Both I already do! Today I will add the yoga pose you suggested to my exercise routine. Thank you again!

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degarden_girl | @degarden_girl | Sep 28, 2018
In reply to @workswithclay29 "@degarden_girl Thank you for replying. Uncanny but yes I have lumbar spinal issues. Next month I..." + (show)
@workswithclay29

@degarden_girl
Thank you for replying. Uncanny but yes I have lumbar spinal issues. Next month I will undergo a "burning" of the lumbar nerves to relieve pain. The surgeon, however, said that the procedure would not relieve the leg/foot cramps. He said to take a multivitamin and stay hydrated. Both I already do! Today I will add the yoga pose you suggested to my exercise routine. Thank you again!

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@workswithclay29 If your lumbar issues are from bulging discs or from desiccated discs, the child's pose may help. I had the radio frequency ablation (RFA) done on my cervical discs about three months ago and had a lot of nerve pain as a result. Not so sure I would do that again. I hope Child's pose provides you with some relief and maybe you won't need the RFA. Always looking for the least invasive resolution to pain issues.

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catlover4884 | @catlover4884 | Sep 28, 2018
In reply to @workswithclay29 "@mayoclinic100 I am also acidic and have such severe leg/foot cramps that I become nausseated, fall..." + (show)
@workswithclay29

@mayoclinic100

I am also acidic and have such severe leg/foot cramps that I become nausseated, fall when trying to get out of bed to stomp cramp away and have resulting prickling sensations in leg after the incident which lasts hours. The cramp is lasting up to 8 minutes now. Pain overwhelming. Have taken perscription potassium, pickle juice, magnesium tablets, sleep with legs and feet under a frame to lift covers off feet and legs, use a magnesium spray on legs and feet take calcium injections twice a year and drink plenty of fluids. I am otherwise healthy, exercise daily and do a low carb diet. My GP has no comment. Any other remedies? Wits end here!

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Try prescription quinine. It works like magic for me. It's unbelievable.

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gardeningjunkie | @gardeningjunkie | Sep 28, 2018
In reply to @catlover4884 "Try prescription quinine. It works like magic for me. It's unbelievable." + (show)
@catlover4884

Try prescription quinine. It works like magic for me. It's unbelievable.

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Many drink tonic water which contains quinine yet be advised some are allergic to tonic water. Try diluting with seltzer water for a refreshing drink. I gave up alcohol and have been making my evening cocktail drink of tonic and seltzer for almost 3 years. Tastes like a grown up drink, very good.

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lioness | @lioness | Sep 28, 2018
In reply to @workswithclay29 "@mayoclinic100 I am also acidic and have such severe leg/foot cramps that I become nausseated, fall..." + (show)
@workswithclay29

@mayoclinic100

I am also acidic and have such severe leg/foot cramps that I become nausseated, fall when trying to get out of bed to stomp cramp away and have resulting prickling sensations in leg after the incident which lasts hours. The cramp is lasting up to 8 minutes now. Pain overwhelming. Have taken perscription potassium, pickle juice, magnesium tablets, sleep with legs and feet under a frame to lift covers off feet and legs, use a magnesium spray on legs and feet take calcium injections twice a year and drink plenty of fluids. I am otherwise healthy, exercise daily and do a low carb diet. My GP has no comment. Any other remedies? Wits end here!

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@workswithclay29 sorry to hear nothing helps I have a suggestion did the Dr.ever perscrib Primipexole? Its for leg cramps you take at bedtime?

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Texas Freedom | @oregongirl | Sep 28, 2018

@lioness.....ALSO, my husband did not have Parkinson, but the pill they give for Parkinson took away his leg cramps. I hate it when I get leg cramps. It is horrible. My doctor prescribed heavy stockings that I put on at night if the cramps start. They come to the top of the leg. The cramps go away right away. Please try them. I had to fly for many hours last week. I finally got up and walked to the back and then back to my seat. It is difficult as everyone looks at you. So, I carry my dog with me.

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lioness | @lioness | Sep 28, 2018

@oregongirl glad you found something that helps I did try them once ,to tight maybe wrong size but cramps dont bother me to much only if Ive been on them to long during day.Daily I take 600 mg magnesium for fibromyalgia .

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marieh | @marieh | Sep 28, 2018

My husband has had severe leg cramps for our entire marriage (60 years). A couple of years ago he discovered Theraworx. It’s an over the counter foam that you apply to the location of the cramp. We are in Az and can purchase it at Walgreen and CVS drugstores. He says it takes about 15 seconds for the pain to subside after applying the foam. Good luck.

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workswithclay29 | @workswithclay29 | Sep 29, 2018

@marieh
Thank you for this tip. I am not familiar with Theraworx but have both drug stores here in KY. Thank you again>

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