Diabetes and leg cramps

[Cher4]

Hi,  I am having a problem with night time leg cramps.  Its not just my calf muscle, but my ankle and tops of my feet too.  How are leg cramps and diabetes associated?  I am a diabetic, but have been controlling my BS levels pretty well.  At diagnosis my A1C was 11.5 and at my last check up I had it down to 5.9.  (although it might not be quite that good at my next check up, I know it is nowhere near that high of a reading)  Any suggestions on relief from the leg cramps?

[WaveRider]

Night leg cramps may have other identifiable causes besides diabetes. I suggest posting on the Ask A Doctor Neurology forum to inquire about muscle diseases and types of testing performed for night leg cramps.

[Cher4]

Thanks for commenting......but, I don't have lower back issues, and I'm not insulin dependent.  I've been diagnosed since last Nov. and my last 2 check ups my A1C was back down to 5.9.  I'm controlling the diabetes fairly well, and the cramps just started a couple of days ago.  No problem until then.  When I was researching night time leg cramps, there was repeated inferences to diabetes.  I was wondering what the connection was.

[WaveRider]

Have you had low back problems before? If yes, get an MRI to see if you have a bulging lumbar disk pressing against a sciatic nerve. Neuropathy is another cause. An A1c of 11.5 may have caused nerve damage. Ask to see a Neurologist who can test for nerve damage.

If you take insulin, insulin can cause low levels of potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium which in turn cause muscle cramps. A simple blood test can rules these out.