Leg Cramps

[flipflops]

anyone else out there get crazy charliehorses in their calves in the middle of the night? i've heard it can be from a calcium or potassium imbalance, and ive also heard that some people just get'em. (hows that for a scientific explanation? ;) )

anyone else get them, and have you done anything to stop them, or prevent them? ive always had them, but recently, ive been getting them almost every night, and im at my wits end.
:censor:

[Feather]

I don't know what causes them but they hurt like hell!!!
I used to get them when sleeping and the only advice I have is that it seems to help a little to point your toes up toward your knee and stretch out the calf muscle while it is cramping.

Since I started taking an awesome liquid multi I don't seem to get them much anymore, but I don't really have any proof that the vitamins are why they stopped happening. :)

[gmanson171]

I also got those horrible cramps when I was overtraining. I have heard that it could be caused by a vitamin deficiency, but I'm not exactly sure. Once I reduced my workouts and started to take a multi vitamin the cramping isn't as often; maybe once or twice a month.

[ShimmyPrincess]

I get these sometimes. In fact they woke me up a few times last night. I notice I usually get them if I don't stretch enough after my workout. If I do some good stretching I don't get them.

[flipflops]

thanks for the input guys. last night after my workout, i got some really good stretching in, and no leg cramps! yay!

[katec61279]

I get them all the time.. And so does my dad.. I think it's slightly genetic in my case though.. However I do sweat a lot during my workouts, but some days I'll get them while sitting at my desk working.. I usually just up my water, eat a banana and make sure I take my multivitamin that day.. Sometimes a hot shower is all that can do the trick... I know they are such a pain, literally!

[sweetie]

I get foot and calf cramps quite often. In addition to good stretching, I have been taking potassium and taurine and have had some success with that.

[Pepper]

I know that sometimes this is impossible to do but put ice or a cold cloth on the cramp and it will go away. I usually end up waking up my boyfriend from crying and rocking cause I get them so bad and then I read somewhere to try the ice and it does work. However if my boyfriend isn't home than I'm sol and just try to relax my leg as much as possible.

[Ananda]

I get them when I am really active and not drinking enough water and getting proper nutrients. I just try to make sure to be getting my multis and water of course.

[Sarawithanh]

I've gotten them all my life!!! My dad gets them too - they hurt like hell! Usually I know when I'm gonna get it - due to not stretching properly after working out so at night I tend to stretch when I'm in bed and that happens.

Somebody mentioned possible dehydration - but I drink tons o water
Somebody mentioned possible potassium issue - I try to have half or whole banana once weekly
Somebody mentioned calcium malabsorption - take a multi so not sure whats up

Havent had one in a while - I'm sure I just jinxed myself....bah