1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

How to eliminate nocturnal leg cramps

Posted by lorry @lorry, Mar 29 6:15pm

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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bones, Joints & Muscles Support Group.

jillyg | @jillyg | 2 days ago
In reply to @julese "Have your tried electrolyte water instead of just magnesium? My wife uses this to control her..." + (show)
@julese

Have your tried electrolyte water instead of just magnesium? My wife uses this to control her nocturnal leg cramps. Also, do you exercise or stretch before you retire? Putting your leg muscles to work before bed can fatigue them, which may help decrease your leg issues. When your nervous system shoots messages to your peripheral leg muscles they may not react by cramping and let you sleep. At least this is my belief as a past sufferer of nocturnal leg cramps. I get them from cold or rainy weather when my legs and feet get cold. I wear socks to bed in the winter months and make sure my legs are warm with an additional blanket too. Good luck.

Jump to this post

A quarter to half cup of dill pickle juice has been extremely helpful to me and several friends.

REPLY
thos | @thos | 2 days ago

Fortunately for me, my leg cramps are only occasional, so I haven't searched much for the root causes. Maybe less hydration that day, or more exercise?? Mostly, it seems, just being an old codger. But what always works for me, and others I've shared this info with, at the first hint of a cramp building, sit up and pull your big toe (cramping leg, of course) back towards your head, as hard as possible. If necessary, my other-side heel can do the toe bending instead of my hand. If done during the brief build-up phase, no cramp occurs. If I'm late, it stops the cramp (but residual pain continues for awhile). I don't see that very easy "cure" mentioned in this forum. No meds. No equipment. I cannot recall who shared this with me decades ago, and it always astounds me that it's not more widely known and practiced. Of course, some cramp causes are probably resistant to this simple treatment. Condolences to those who fall into that group. But "ordinary" cramps -- like from making it all the way to senior citizenship -- seem to respond for everyone I've shared this with. Sincere best wishes to all sufferers.

REPLY
1 reply
jlr0285 | @jlr0285 | 1 day ago
In reply to @thos "Fortunately for me, my leg cramps are only occasional, so I haven't searched much for the..." + (show)
@thos

Fortunately for me, my leg cramps are only occasional, so I haven't searched much for the root causes. Maybe less hydration that day, or more exercise?? Mostly, it seems, just being an old codger. But what always works for me, and others I've shared this info with, at the first hint of a cramp building, sit up and pull your big toe (cramping leg, of course) back towards your head, as hard as possible. If necessary, my other-side heel can do the toe bending instead of my hand. If done during the brief build-up phase, no cramp occurs. If I'm late, it stops the cramp (but residual pain continues for awhile). I don't see that very easy "cure" mentioned in this forum. No meds. No equipment. I cannot recall who shared this with me decades ago, and it always astounds me that it's not more widely known and practiced. Of course, some cramp causes are probably resistant to this simple treatment. Condolences to those who fall into that group. But "ordinary" cramps -- like from making it all the way to senior citizenship -- seem to respond for everyone I've shared this with. Sincere best wishes to all sufferers.

Jump to this post

Interesting. My cramps cause my toes to flex towards my body. My “cure” is to force my toes back down. This is in addition to cramps gel, magnesium supplements. I have found the leg cramp OTC pills which are quite effective. My pain originates from my lower back and will get a bilateral transforminal epidural injection to L4 - L5. Not a cure but it does provide relief. Thanks to all who mentioned B6 toxicity I will check into that. Good luck to everyone suffering with this.

REPLY
sbtheplumber1 | @sbtheplumber1 | 1 day ago
In reply to @lorry "A few of us in this group have found heat helpful. I started with a warm..." + (show)
@lorry

A few of us in this group have found heat helpful. I started with a warm bath before bed. I now put on the foot zone of the electric blanket before bed (turn off once I’m in) and it helps the vascular dilation and if vascular constriction is an issue then this certainly helps. Often there are multiple causes and more than one remedy required.
I am very sorry to hear you had to endure chemo - I do hope it was effective and you are recovering and now dealing with the aftermath of the treatment.
I really appreciate you taking the time to share what is working for you. It confirms the process of adding warmth is worth trying.

Jump to this post

@lorry warmth helps I usually sleep with an electric blanket on these year round but it’s also turned on low about 9 months out of the year.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.