Severe leg cramping

I do the bananas and water and I take supplements but have not tried the dill pickle juice as I didn't make dill pickles this year. I will buy a jar soon.
Dorisena

@dorisena It works for me hope it will for you but if you like mustard that will do the same thing

@helena341 I experience leg cramping also; years ago my internist advised drinking tonic water -- for the quinine (its the only available source). I usually drink it until I can begin to feel the cramping start to lessen. I have yet to experience the quinine not working.

Yes I have leg cramps that are sometimes crippled with extreme pain. My daughter and I were in New York City last summer and my legs were in so much pain from cramping. Daughter told me to drink Smart water, has electrolytes. We bought a few bottles in drug store and after drinking about half bottle my legs finally stopped cramping and we continued shopping. Worked like a charm, I bring smart water on all trips now in case.

Welcome back to Mayo Clinic Connect, @helena341. A few things have changed with the website, but the same supportive community of patients is still here.

I started getting leg & foot cramps in 2022. The attacks would happen when I woke up. Later in the scheme of things, hand cramps during the day. The cramps stopped after 4 months. Never figured out why. Have taken many blood test with no results that point out why I’m getting these cramps. Now in 2023, they have started up again, more intense. 20+ years ago diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Tried to manage with meds, did not work. Thyroid was enlarged, 3x the normal size. Given radiated iodine pill to shrink thyroid. Of course too much was taken off, now hypothyroidism, take daily pill to supplement. Anyone with similar experience?

20+ years ago I was also experiencing severe leg cramps. Around the same time I also had peripheral neuropathy that affected my feet & hands. I am diabetic and I have a history of hyperthyroidism or Graves Disease. I’ve heard that autoimmune disorders tend to go together ? I see an endocrinologist for diabetes and thyroid issues. I too had medication for hyperthyroidism (I forget what.) It apparently was effective and there was no need for radiated iodine or anything else. My endocrinologist continues to monitor my thyroid because as she says “over time it is common for hyperthyroidism to switch to hypothyroidism”. What I have found during all this time is that the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy (& autonomic neuropathy / gastroparesis) can be better controlled with good blood sugar regulation. The leg cramping is different & seems to have nothing to do with diabetes or thyroid conditions. I also have Chronic Kidney Disease stage 4 (CKD). In my case it is a complication of diabetes. I see a nephrologist for that. He said that leg cramping is common with kidney disease and recommended Quinine or tonic water to alleviate the symptoms. I have tried it and it was helpful.

I had severe calf muscle cramping at night that felt like I was tearing the calf muscle. It went away after I stopped taking a PPI Pantaprazole for gerd.

Hi - Has anyone in the group found a successful treatment for severe leg cramping? My leg cramps (foot, calf and thigh) typically occur around bedtime, but I have also experienced periodic hand cramps during the day. These events seem unrelated to my blood glucose level or general glucose status during the day. I am a long-term Type 1 diabetic with peripheral neuropathy. I have been taking some mineral supplements (mag. and zinc) but have not noticed any effect.
I would be interested in the experience of others in dealing with this issue. Thanks.

This has been a major problem for me over many years, but worse recently when I was taking Metformin. Odd. I also live in the SW, it’s low humidity and hard to manage hydration and electrolyte balance. There are many things I’ve tried, and it’s constant “tweaking” for me.
Right now the lifesaver is “Saltstick electrolyte fast chews,” I found them at REI. I take one @ bedtime with a small glass of water, magnesium, D3, and folic acid. And bedtime calf/foot stretching!! Can you sleep with warm socks that go to your knees? I do! Other thoughts: RLS (tingling) can be relieved by iron supplements. When possible, the spoon of pickle juice has helped stop them for me, as well as a cup of milk. Bananas don’t help me?! We’re all different—this is a toughie—considering the disease. Good luck & yes, ask your Medical Practitioner!