Nocturnal Leg Cramps

[slowmover]

I am a 70 year old female, Type II diabetic. I have never drank much liquid my whole life..I call myself a "sipper".  Yet, the last six months I have been waking up in the early morning hours with severe muscle spasms in my legs. Originally they started in my big toe, then they progressed to the front of my calves, then they advanced on up my leg into my thighs.  The only way I can stop the spasms is try to navigate to the shower, turn on warm water, and stand in the tub letting the water pulsate on my legs and feet.  

I have done extensive research on this, talked with my doctor etc.  Everything points to my being hydrated.  I have tried to drink more water; but it is very difficult for me to get eight glasses of water down per day.  I think it would help meet my quota if I drank coffee or tea, yet I know they both, especially the tea has a diuretic effect on the body.  

Has anyone else ever had these horrible cramps?  What have you found causes them and most importantly....how do I prevent them.

Any suggestions?




This discussion is related to Painful Muscle spasms in arms, back, legs.

[slowmover]

Thanks, I will try them.  Anything is worth a try.

[rumpled]

There are magnesium oxide tablets you can get in most major drug stores - pop a couple tablets at night and it may help you sleep as well as the cramps. That is what I take.

Gatorade is nice - just don't drink so much that you raise your blood sugar.
Good luck!

[slowmover]

Thanks for your suggestions.  I have recently started drinking Gatorade at my doctor's suggestion.  I think it is halping some; but too early to say.  He asked that I try to get at least one bottle down per day.  I did drink a large glass of iced tea before 7 pm last night.  It tasted so good.  Sweetened it with Equal.  But then toward bedtime I started getting sharp pains in my back between my shoulders, in my chest and then going out to my left breast.  Massage and heat helped calm them down so I do not think it was a heart attack.  Not that severe (I have seen how my husband acted with his heart attack.
Now I am wondering if the caffeine in the tea caused this.  No cramps in legs last night, they were all in my upper torso.  I think I will try changed to decaffeinated coffee and tea.
I had never considered soup as a liquid (because I didn't drink it, I guess).  I could do that.  Last night I almost made me a cup of bouillon.  I  wonder If I should avoid chocolate too?

I get blood test every three months and my potassium is always in normal range.  (I thought maybe my potassium is low). I drink fruit juice and eat alot of fruit. I know I need to take vitamin B-12 three times a week, have been on Vitamin D and Vitamin E.  My fruit takes care of Vitamin C.  Maybe I do need some magnesium. I used to think multivitamins was a good thing to take; but from everything I am reading about them, in most cases they do not have enough of each vitamin to zero in on the main ones I need, so I just buy the highest dose of the ones I think I need and don't bother taking all those other, less importamt, ones.   We are having extremely hot and humid weather lately and I am losing alot of my fluids through perspiration.  That is why the doctor told me to dring Gaterade.

from

Slowmover

[rumpled]

Even though coffee and tea are diuretics - liquid is liquid at this point. Also think of soups, juice, fruit, broth, ice tea, ice coffee, milk (calcium!)... and drink anything you think you would like. It does not have to be water.
I would also suggest taking a magnesium supplement and multivitamin - that may help the cramps too. You may have some vitamin issues.