Muscle Cramps in Calf (Charlie Horse OUCH) ... what is your take? Nat'l remedies to try? ...

[ChitChatNine]

I konw, I know .. push comes to shove I PROMISE to call the Endo for a followup appt since on the lower dose of Synthroid .   I really hope my TSH isn't going hypo on me ... history shows 75mcgs was 1.8 .... hoping this is unrelated, isolated incident (the Charlie Horse cramp this AM) and nothing to do with hypo.

Is it magnesium to take?

It was awfully painful .. excrutiating and out of the blue.

Cheryl

[Me967]

Hi.  The tonic water I think might be a good choice for you.  With the tonic water you can't drink to much.  Unless you add too much dry gin.  hee hee.  Just kidding.  

As far as the kidney stones drinking some low sodium V8 juice (or better yet make your own) helps along with adding some dandelion into your salads.  It helps to prevent kidney stone formation.  
If you like rasberry tea made out of the leaves this also help alot with harsh monthly cramps for me.  It may help with the leg cramps too.  It's worth a try.

Ok that's enough of my crazy cures.  LOL  Take care;  Amy

[ChitChatNine]

Thanks on the otc .... I guess we need the bloodwork back first in case it is calcium related so that can be remedied but I don't think so.

I cannot take anything with add'l calcium on an ongoing basis because I have history of producing documented calcium oxalate kidney stones!  So if the levels are off it will be a fine-line balance of kidney stones and right # for muscles.

C~

[cbread]

There is a product at most walgreens stores called 'leg cramps' by hyland you can take. It has a low dose of quinine in it and I swear by it. Cramps = hypo for me, so hope it's not the same for you. I got them everywhere...foot, leg, arm, shoulder, sides...it was ridiculous!

[ChitChatNine]

She mentioned quinine water but since I'm supposed to take magnesium for my kidney stones she thought if I try that it may work .. the water is the next step!

C~

[Me967]

Hi.  I sure do hope they go away for you.  I used to get those all the time.  I drank quinine water when mine acted up (in which could be day or night when they acted up)...they were horrible and would literally take me down to the floor moaning in pain.   I also took a (all in one pill) calcium, magnesium and potassium pill.  The quinine water (though it don't taste real well alone) seemed to work the best.  

I don't think the soap would work for me though.  My dogs would eat it and then I would have to figure out how to run down 19 stairs to let them out the back door as quickly as I could to avoid a mess.  LOL.  

Take care..........Me.

[ChitChatNine]

My endo ran add'l bloodwork on the cramps (along with TSH, etc.) .. especially since (ah doy) it dawned on me that 6 mos ago my 24hr urine was high/normal for calcium .. anyway, I'll know more later in the week and thanks for your ideas!

Cheryl

[redhed87]

I have heard the banana thing too- don't know if it works.

[Red2008]

Whens the next time you are getting your K+ level checked? If you keep getting them you may want your electrolytes checked there my friend.

I have not personally done the soap thing, but I know of people that have used it and it really worked. I think though you have to use Ivory or Dial, the other ones dont work as well.

Hope you are feeling better soon. Red

[nissah46]

What about the soap??? How does that work.  Believe it or not my sister-in-law mentioned this last night.  She said she does that for my brother, and it works.

[ChitChatNine]

Probably the soap has something to do with support for the muscle I bet ?  Hmmmmmm

I have some Urocit-K pills someplace leftover from the Urologst for my kidney stone .. they are mega Potassium Citrate pills that I couldn't take on an ongoing basis (too much reflux, etc.) but one won't hurt .. I will try to find them unless I threw them out.  I have Magnesium in the house from Uro days and kidney stones, too and have banannas so something will work I'm sure.

C~

[nissah46]

I eat at least 2 bananas a day, sometimes 3, and get wicked muscle spasms. I take calcium with magnesium included but sometimes nothing works.

[Thypatient]

Thanks for the banana info!  I'm going to try that myself.

[stella5349]

It usually has something to do with a Potassium problem - temporary usual.

eat bananas - and a mag pill may work along with it. Or pop a potassium pill (citrate only)

OK out of the box her my friend ------


I read and adviced my mom to try something I read a while back. take your average bar of soap dial - zest - ivory ---- whatever.

place the bar in between the sheets you sleep in . No more cramps.

and it worked for her more times then not.

[ChitChatNine]

THANKS so much .. I will try that.  

I made an appt and got in for Friday ... I just found out my Endo is moving away .. she was wide-open and I'm glad I called for an appt to wrap things up before she goes.  I am so disappointed.  I'm usually not ticked off when a Dr of mine leaves .. but she is special .. one of a kind .. CR@P.

C~

[mags59]

My dad used to get charleyhorses all the time and his doctor told him it's a lack of potassium and to eat bananas.  He does, and never got them again!

[Backgammon48]

It isn't a pill, but I drink a bottle of gatoraid for immediate relief.  Long term a bananna a day keeps the kramps away

[Thypatient]

Magnesium is what helps me during an attack.  I put a tablet under my tongue (something to otherwise avoid because it's not good for tooth enamel).

This can be very scary, can't it?  I hope everything's okay and unrelated to hypo.