Connect
← Return to Nocturnal Leg Cramps - Help!
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
Oh I am looking for someone who's leg cramps last for more than a half an hour, ...... I literally scream in pain, woken up from a dead sleep. I tried everything, from Magnesium spray, topical, to supplements, to water, ice, hot baths, masager, pushing down on my leg into a board, mental work like, "relax", more working out, etc. The only thing that has really worked is stretching, and I didn't believe it would help so didn't do a lot of it (which is what it takes before bed) until I suffered for years. I have been very limber most of my life. It may not work forever, but right now thigh and calf stretches held for a length of time really help.
When I lived in a condo I was afraid I'd wake the neighbors. It really hurts.
Back story is that my father had leg cramps for a long time before he died. I didn't get how painful when he would talk about it. now i do! My other complications are: one kidney, and rheumatoid arthritis. but I haven't connected them to the leg cramps, so far. When I have talked with Doctors about these cramps they have not been interested..... I guess they felt it wasn't their area of expertise?, or they didn't get pain? but I would like to know who to ask for more info.
It's good to hear from anyone what their experiences are. Thanks everyone.
Replies to "Oh I am looking for someone who's leg cramps last for more than a half an..."
If you know, you know. Thank you for sharing. Being awakened by the intensity of calf muscle cramps is extremely disruptive and no picnic in the wee hours of the evening. Hydration-check! Vitamins-check! I too try to point my angry piggies towards my patella >knee
Apply heat occasionally when they re-occur
Connect
Wow @vlharvey -- I feel for you!!! All cramps are painful and miserable, but the most unbearable ones for me are calf cramps. Is that what makes you scream? I come flying out of bed (I no longer tuck in sheets or blankets so I can get out fast) and jump on my foot to press it out. I've had ones so strong I had to get between furniture and the wall to do a leg press to get it out -- sooo tight. Once I got them in both calves at once while sleeping, jumped out of bed and they were too tight to push out so I was like a ballerina on my toes, falling all over the room, crashing into things. It woke my son up and he yelled, "What's going on in there???" It was awful. You said you tried the massager, but maybe try it all over your legs for a few minutes before bed to see if you can loosen up the muscles before you sleep. See my earlier post with pics. It works for getting my odd, chronic ones out. A calf cramp is too unbearable to have time to go get the massager. Time is of the essence for that!
Only a doctor who suffers from unbearable cramps will take you seriously.
Not sure if you have anyone else in the house, but teach them how to jump up and push your foot up toward you shin to get the calf cramp out. Instant relief. A colleague at work started screaming suddenly and I saw his leg stretched out and toe pointed. I knew it was a calf cramp and raced over and pushed his foot up. He screamed more, but then he was fine. He was shocked I did that, but I know that pain and you can't just sit there and hope it goes away. Good luck to everyone who suffers from cramps! They are the worst!!!