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How to eliminate nocturnal leg cramps
I had a routine ankle arthroscopy 7 years ago (left ankle) due to old MVA (motor vehicle accident). I got a golden staph infection and had 3 months on flucloxacillin. I recovered. Pain continues but that is not my current problem.
6 years ago I started getting nocturnal leg and foot cramps. Mainly in the left foot and calf. Sometimes also in my right calf (much milder)
My GP (general practitioner) suggested I take magnesium- which I did with good results. After about year I started developing other symptoms. Noticeably hot feet at night, tingling/numbness in the hands. Then I became clumsy, unsteady on my feet and then my vision began to fluctuate. Terrible brain fog. Trembling hands. After 5 years of taking magnesium I was alerted to the possibility of B6 toxicity. I saw I was taking 25mg a day in the magnesium. I had my blood tested and yes, I had very high levels of B6.
I have been detoxing for 2 months.
This is the background to my question.
Since stopping the magnesium and the B6 I cannot control the foot and leg cramps.
My magnesium levels are ‘normal’. My full blood scan was ‘normal’ except for high B6.
I don’t have diabetes, I don’t have thyroid issues. I have a healthy BMI. I have good electrolyte balance. I am hydrated.
The only relief I can get is rubbing the cramping area with an anti-inflammatory gel.
I’m so tired. I dread going to bed. I sleep a few hours, awake with sharp pain, dance around the room, rub the area with gel. Drink some water. Get back to sleep. 2-3 hours later - start again!
I would love to hear from anyone who has had this and found a cure.
Thx
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I have a bite of banana every morning (for potassium) and a 500mg magnesium capsule every night before bed. Try to get plenty of water around the clock so I don't end up dehydrated overnight.
Occasional calf stretches and massages.
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1 ReactionFor me, the two factors that I think are most related to my leg cramps at night are hydration and exercise. If I keep my water intake up through the day, and /or if I exercise that day, I tend to not get the cramps.
Is it an absolute, definitive coorelation? No. Sometimes, my theory doesn't hold up... but it does mostly.
/LarryG
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1 ReactionI agree. Hydration was a big one for me. Also accepting that getting a lot of work done whilst sitting is not exercise (movement of the legs) was also a basic paradigm I had to change.
I knew I had inflammation and that is a contributor. That can be caused by over exercise, arthritis, sugar and injury. I have 3 of those and sugar was the only one I could fix.
I think they are the base causes. If you fix those you won’t need the remedies of massage, electrolytes etc
If you have vascular disease and/ or peripheral neuropathy you will still need to find some remedies beyond water and exercise - which I agree are the basics.
Thanks for the reminder. It’s easy to get lost in the complexities of cure when you are uncomfortable and forget to seek the cause.
Thx