Charlie horse

luvmy2cats

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Does anyone get them? I will get one in my calve once in awhile when I'm sleeping. I just had one the other night. I know they can be caused by a lack of potassium. They hurt sooooooooo bad and when I get one it has to go away on it's own. Rubbing or stretching my calve doesn't help. Then my calve will be sore for almost a week. Anyone have any tips to get through these horrible cramps.
 

catkiki

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I hate those! I get them in my toes and feet sometimes. In the past, I would hit the offending leg but that doesn't work. Getting up and walking on it works sometimes but not all the time.

They hurt so much!!
 

mom of 4

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You need to up your potassium intake for awhile. I prefer foods high in potassium as opposed to medications, when possible.

Google for a list of potassium containing foods (I was afraid to post the links) and try for a reccomended serving twice a day for several weeks - assuming that you are otherwise healthy.
 

natalie_ca

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Originally Posted by luvmycat1

Does anyone get them? I will get one in my calve once in awhile when I'm sleeping. I just had one the other night. I know they can be caused by a lack of potassium. They hurt sooooooooo bad and when I get one it has to go away on it's own. Rubbing or stretching my calve doesn't help. Then my calve will be sore for almost a week. Anyone have any tips to get through these horrible cramps.
Actually leg cramps are often due to a magnesium deficiency.

Other than stretching the calf muscle no matter how much it hurts, not really much you can really do about them.

Go see your doctor and get your blood work checked. They may be able to give you some medication that can help prevent them. Also increase your magnesium intake (provided you don't have kidney disease).
 

sylorna

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I recommend eating some bananas and also drinking more water...there have been times where I have enough potassium but not enough water can cause leg cramps too.
Hope you feel better soon!
 

babyharley

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This might sound crazy- but it works.
My uncle is a coach for college football in Iowa. When his guys get them while playing, they drink pickle juice
And they say it takes them away right away.
Weird? Yes. But they swear by it!
 

stacyd1987

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I used to get them while I was in AF Bootcamp and the doctors said to eat extra bananas in the morning. Worked like a charm!
 
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