In the last year, I wake up with cramps in my legs, Really bad, Have to slowly stretch my legs straight. I take plenty of calcium, Some one told me to drink Quinine water. Its bitter. What do you think is going on. Maybe just old age?

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), May 06, 2002

Answers

Don't know the why, but vitamin E helps with foot and leg cramps

-- Cindy (S.E.IN) (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), May 06, 2002.

Have you had your kidney function checked? Sounds like time for a good thorough physical.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), May 06, 2002.

I've always heard that potassium (bananas) helps a lot with leg cramps. And if they don't help, at least they taste good! :-)

Hope you're better soon, Irene. Those leg cramps are awful!

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@rocketmail.com), May 06, 2002.

Irene, didn't you just see your doc recently? What did he/she say about it? Leg cramps can be a side effect of many of the meds you are taking, and are easily gotten rid of if your doc is aware of them.

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), May 06, 2002.

Hi Irene...so sorry about the leg cramps..miserable are they not? I have always taken magnesium to rid myself of them. It has always worked..problem is, I get rid of them and then forget to take it until they start hurting again! Hope you find relief soon.

-- Sher (riverdobbers@webtv.net), May 06, 2002.

I have heard, like Cheryl, that potassium helps stop legs cramps. Hope you get feeling better, Irene!

-- heather (h.m.metheny@att.net), May 06, 2002.

agree on potassium and bananas being a good source of it. Try one or 2 a day for a while and see it you notice a difference. Mineral supplements would probably help faster though. Are you getting enough plain water in general?

-- Dave (multiplierx9@hotmail.com), May 06, 2002.

The wife and I started taking Glucosimine(sp) for aurthuritis(sp again) and we have noticed a lot fewer leg cramps since we are taking it. Bananas are a regular part of our diet as well at least one a day.

God Bless and trust some of the sugestions will work for You.

-- charles Steen (xbeeman412@aol.com), May 06, 2002.

I concur on the potassium idea. Also, are you running a fan at night in your bedroom? If you are, try to keep it off your legs. That can cause cramping, too. I know that from experience. >:-/

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), May 06, 2002.

I imagine your an active person but....I use to get them when I lived in Germany raising young ones. Never got out of the house much and had leg cramps a lot. Never got them again which I wonder if it is because I am all over this ranch and walk a few miles plus a day. Now, I do take Vit. E. Not sure why I do but I do know that when my sheep have some sort of weakness I give them heavy doseages of Vit. E. Maybe there is something between a Vit. E deficiency and joint or muscle pain? I don't eat bananas so that couldn't have been why. Also, don't sleep on your stomach because it can cause lower back problems which will bother legs and all. At least that is when my husband get leg cramps. Debbie in SE OK.

-- debbie in SE OK. (bwolcott@cwis.net), May 07, 2002.

In the summer I get leg cramps alot. I got a bottle of quinine tablets and keep by my bed. They melt under your tongue and really do the trick!

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), May 07, 2002.

Since I do work a lot in garden and sweat up a storm, Maybe it is potasium, I will get some, I saw the doc. not to long ago, and told him, he tested me for fibermyalgia, said that wasn"t it. I also take thyroid pills. Maybe not enough. I will try all the suggestions. Funny I don"t seem to be bothered much in winter. I know I don"t drink enough water. Thanks everyone

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), May 07, 2002.

Irene used tp have them bad the dr. told me to quit all milk products sure helped. Bob se,ks.

-- Bobco (bobco@kans.com), May 07, 2002.

For Leg cramps, a slug of Tonic Water does the trick at no cost.

Robert Canada

-- Robert Boyd (dobra777@yahoo.com), August 02, 2002.