ouch ouch OUCH C.R.A.M.P

I get cramp in my calves and in my foot, not usually together and I find gently brushing my hands up and down the skin of the affected area seems to help.

That's interesting dustyangel, I'm off to google magnesium. Gransnet is a great source of information on so many things

Since I've been taking magnesium at night,( suggested by a chiropractor to help fibromyalgia) I've not had cramp in my feet or legs at all. It was frequently really bad before that. I've never liked salty food but now if I fancy salt on something I have it, thinking my body must need it.

Thank you very much for that Lindylooby.
[sorry for partial hijack Kiora]

I do get dizzy all of a sudden sometimes.
I too will now carry salt.

Message to self, put glasses on before commenting, or at least check before submitting response! Sorry

Soontobe, I suffer with vasovagal synrrome (low blood pressure at all times but suddenly rrops through the floor and I oass out) it takes 2 days to feel normal again.
my cardiologist said I must take extra salt, which will raise my pressure. I carry a little bag (from a cafe) at all times, if I feel dizzy or get black spots before my eyes I put salt on my tongue and gradually feel much better. If my late husband had not been with me when I was given the information I dont think anyone would have believed me!

Some of the stuff on here sounds horrid.

re salt. I was always under the impression that we all eat too much salt? All of us?
But I get low blood pressure.
And since lowering salt is supposed to help high blood pressure, I often wonder if I should be having more salt.
But that seems wrong somehow, in this day and age.

I would say so - they do with me. Not sure what to advise - I just hop about a bit and leave my shoes off. I always have my feet up when resting though - also helps my puffy ankles to go down a bit.

Good point Teetime - I do have foot problems and connective tissue disorders, I'm sure they contribute to cramp

kiora I wondered if you have foot problems- I know when my bunion was particularly painful I used to get cramps in that foot- I don't have a cure except comfortable shoes and a visit to the podiatrist perhaps.

A friend swears that sleeping with corks inside the bedding at the foot of the bed prevents cramp! I can't see how it works, but you might enjoy emptying the wine bottles!
www.cheap-and-easy-recipes.com/category-tips-easy-remedies/leg-cramps.php

Ouch Galen, that sounds awful.

Kiora - exercise, stretching helps in my case. Since I restarted a yoga class, cramp at night is less frequent. I do get cramp under my feet when we sit cross legged though.

Hubby gets Quinine sulphate on prescription to prevent cramp, doesn`t always work though.

I actually ruptured a tendon in my foot in a fit if cramp. The hallux hallucis longus. It was just off Bermuda on a cruise. I've never had such a pain before! I missed visiting Bermuda. I subsequently had it repaired and it seemed that I'd actually torn it out of its anchoring point on the joint! That was a really bad cramp, not ouch! A muffled scream, so as to not wake the next door cabin.
Childbirth was a doddle comparatively

I agree with the bed socks remedy - seems to work for me.
Also eating enough salt.
Applying magnets as a last resort.

I used to have devastating cramp in my feet almost every night until I started wearing warm bed socks. I don't know why this should have worked but it did and I never (touch wood) have a night disturbed by cramp nowadays. The doctor had suggested tonic water for the quinine content but said I couldn't get it on the NHS - .

Kiora

It's ruddy painful and I don't have to imagine a 60+ top heavy woman running about I just need to look in a mirror.

Have you tried stretching your foot on a cold surface. I might be alone but I find hopping up and down on a cold floor helps.

Oh yeh and swearing like a trooper.

Granny23, you can find out which.
You get the milk for him, and see what happens

Bananas and or avocados. Cramp can be due to low potassium particularly if you are on a diuretic

DH swears that a glass of milk cures his middle of the night cramp. I think it is the long walk with bare feet over the cold kitchen floor that does the trick.

Anything's worth a try.

Works for me and a couple of people I know.
Doesnt work for about 3 other people.
So 50% chance of it working?!

www.nhs.uk/conditions/legcrampsunknowncause/pages/introduction.aspx

Something on the link may be of some help?

I got it a lot when I was going through the menopause. Maybe you are not quite done with yours? If you start being unreasonable tomorrow and find yourself flinging off the duvet tonight, that'll be why!

I've never heard of milk being a remedy for cramp!

I agree with the stretching exercises - just sitting there, suffering, won't help at all. Walk about, stand on tiptoe and down a few times, see what works for you.