\r\n \r\n my legs cramp up when I dont drink enough water, or when I drink soda...might be worth checking into. how much water do you drink a day? what is your diet like?\r\n

\r\n __________________
\r\n God is and all is well
\r\n~John Greenleaf Whittier~\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Just me,
\nI usually drink plenty Water,yet lately slacked off some.For unknown reasons I lately have a craving for Decaffeinated Coffee and Non-Dairy Creamer.I can drink 2-3 Pots Daily!My Diet is healthy.\r\n

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\r\n \r\n One of the most common causes of leg cramps is being deficient in magnesium.
\nOnce in a while I do get them and I use a product called Calabsorb when it happens. Now it comes from kind of spendy vitamin company and I purchased 2 jars about 7 years ago. I don\'t use it a lot but I have found that it works really fast! Much faster than any magnesium pill I have taken. Its a powder that you stir into water. Its got magnesium citrate and calcium citrate in it. If you get leg cramps a lot you might what to use this supplement for a while till things even out then maybe just once or twice a week.
\nGreat American Products
\n
\nThen here\'s another way to try to tackle the problem...
\nI\'ve met people who really like this product. It will help you to utilize the minerals that you do have in a better way. I haven\'t used it but it is well liked by some. Lot\'s of health food stores sell this.
\nHyland\'s Homeopathic - Leg Cramps with Quinine
\n
\nThen there is another option for magnesium supplementation and that is through the skin. Something as simple as epsom salt baths can do it. 2 heaping cups per tub of hot water...
\n
\nand then there is magnesium oil that is applied topically that I know lots of folks like. Swanson Health products now carries it and it looks like it may be a good product at a reasonable price, at least compared to some of the others out there.
\nThe Best Discount Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements at the Lowest Price - Swanson Health Products
\n
\nand I think JustMe is right, being dehydrated can contribute to the problem and soda pop can send your electrolytes out of whack.\r\n

\r\n __________________
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\r\n \r\n Arrowwind09,
\nI mix 1 t (450 MG) NOW Magnesium Citrate 100% Pure Powder in my Organic Yogurt along with 1 cut up Banana Daily.I take 1 99 MG Potassium Daily too.When I was 9 and 1 Year before starting my Period,I had horrible Leg Cramps.I chalked them off as growing pains.They went away just like they came on.I spoke with a Doctor I was taken when having the Leg Cramps.He told me he had lifelong Leg Cramps and took Quinine.I can\'t do the Epsom Salt Baths as I don\'t have a Bath Tub.My Aunt told me of an Article she read in Dr. Peter Gott about drinking Pickle Juice for Leg Cramps.Pickle Juice contains Electrolytes.At a recent Emergency visit,it states on the Nurse Triage Medical Records Potential Fluid Volume deficit and Doctor\'s Notes Electrolyte abnormality.The Nurse or Doctor never made mention,and I don\'t have a clue why they suspected.
\n\r\n

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\r\n \r\n I just started really using the Swanson Mag Oil (Dr. Barbara Hendel\'s), and I have to say it doesn\'t itch on the skin at all! I was so used to using the mag oil from Globallight.net, which REALLY made the skin itch, I would have to apply a lotion or cream over it to mellow it out. I\'m just using it for some tension in my legs and haven\'t used it yet for an intense charley horse type cramp. The Globallight oil worked great on those, I\'ll see how the Swanson compares. Hopefully the fact that it doesn\'t itch doesn\'t mean that it\'s weaker and less effective.\r\n

\r\n __________________
\r\n "We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~Immanual Kant~
\r\n
\r\nNatMedTalk and Beyond\r\n

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\r\n \r\n I just take one or two 500mg of Magnesium capsules orally. Evidently I get enuff potassium from foods.
\nI haven\'t had leg cramps in years, tho yrs ago I\'d scream in pain from them. I do uise Global Light\'s Miracle II
\nliquid soap in my bathtub, usually soaking for 20 to 30 minutes. I only bought one bottle of their Magnesium Gel.\r\n

\r\n __________________
\r\n May you always have..Love to Share, Health to Spare, and Friends that Care!\r\n

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\r\n \r\n I agree with Arrowwind about magnesium. We don\'t get leg cramps too often, but when we do, a topical application of magnesium oil does the trick in seconds! The oil we use now was from Globallight, and has lasted forever. Next purchase we make will be the spray mag oil from Swanson, may be less messy to apply \r\n

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\r\n \r\n Hello,
\n
\nI concur with the information about magnesium - actually calcium and magnesium are both needed for proper muscle functioning.

"The best way to understand the cause of painful cramps, then, is to realize that when either calcium or magnesium is in short supply, or when the two minerals are not in the correct proportion, cramps occur.
\n
\n The remedy is to ensure adequate supplies of these vital minerals. My approach is to follow the dietary guidelines in Nourishing Traditions, making sure that the diet contains adequate calcium and magnesium with plentiful whole dairy products, bone broths and lightly cooked green vegetables along with certain nutrient-dense animal products such as butter, organ meats and shellfish. These will provide a calcium- and magnesium-rich diet as well as the fat-soluble vitamins necessary for their absorption."
\n
\nFrom Ask the Doctor About Muscle and Menstrual Cramps
\n
\n

I personally take a calcium-magnesium drink, either homemade from the recipe in the book "Clear Mind, Clear Body" or a powder that health stores carry, some called "Cal-Max."
\n
\n
\nCalcium/magnesium supplementation is awesome for alleviating menstrual cramps too!
\n
\n
\n
\nI also enjoy baths with epsom salts for general muscle relaxation - as Arrowwind mentioned, epsom salts are a great source of magnesium.
\n
\n
\nCheers,
\nBB
\n
\n
\n Good health begins with good information \r\n

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\r\n \r\n Bbmartin,
\nThe only Calcium I get in my Diet is Low-Fat or Fat-Free Cottage Cheese,Fat-Free Plain Organic Yogurt and Cultured Low-Fat Buttermilk.I love Greens,so eat a variety.Probably majorly lacking Calcium,Magnesium and Potassium!\r\n

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\r\n \r\n
\n The few times that I had a leg cramp, typically in the middle of the night when I rolled over and twist my leg into some strange position. Or how to become wide awake in seconds. If I had the magnesium oil I can assure you the last thing I would have been concerned about was that it might have been a little messy. \r\n

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\r\n \r\n Mad Scientest,
\nHad couple of Charlie Horses during Night 11 Years ago from walking extensively.\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Kind2creatures,
\nMy Leg Cramps not only occur during the Night and seem to be non-stop.\r\n

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\r\n \r\n It might sound strange, but very often when I eat candy or other foods with a lot of sugar I get leg cramps, especially if just before bedtime. I know...it\'s not allowed...but I gave up most of all my other bad habits. Does sugar deplete the system of magnesium? I also use magnesium oil and a multi-mineral capsules with calcium. Bananas are recommended for potassium and I always thought potassium was good for leg cramps, but many times I have gotten cramps right after eating a banana...again, it may have to do with sugar.
\r\n
\r\nThe FDA limits potassium supplements to 99 mg which is only 2% of your daily need. You can get much more from food, such as a baked potato with the skin, or half a small canteloup, I believe.
\r\n
\r\nHere\'s a link to a chart for potassium rich foods: (it doesn\'t mention canteloup, but I still believe that\'s right.)
\r\n
\r\nhttps://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocente...ml#food_source\r\n

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\r\n \r\n I also use three quinine tablets called Leg Cramps dissolved under my tongue for leg cramps. It worked for a long time, but lately, not always, since the cramps are worse. It is a homopathic remedy by Hylands and available in most drug stores.\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Nightowl,
\nI want to find the cause of my Leg Cramps.I have repeatedly asked my Physician to order Potassium,Magnesium,Iron and Sodium Labs,but he refuses!\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Whilst at Emergency an ABG,Arterial Blood Gas was performed.All levels were normal except my HCO3-#,which I believe is Bicarbonate.Mine was elevated at 25.20 MMOL/L.Normal range is 18.00-23.00 MMOL/L.
\n
\nI read on wikipedia,"Hyperbicarbonatemia is an Electrolyte disturbance in which there is an abnormally elevated level of Bicarbonate in the Blood.This is associated with Alkalosis,Hypercapnia."
\n
\nI\'m wondering if this elevation of Bicarbonate is playing a role in my Myalgia or Muscle Cramps.Nothing I seem to be doing is easing my discomfort.
\n
\n\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Wikipedia lists four compounds that make up HCO3, which makes me believe that any one of them could cause the imbalance. If it involves fluids, it\'s probably an excess of sodium or a lack of potassium. This is just a guess on my part. I wonder if this isn\'t a condition caused by not drinking enough water to flush toxins out of the system?
\r\n
\r\n
\r\nBicarbonate compounds:
\r\n
\r\nSodium bicarbonate
\r\nPotassium bicarbonate
\r\nCalcium bicarbonate
\r\nAmmonium bicarbonate\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Nightowl,
\nMy slightly elevated HCO3 is more than likely a lack of Potassium.It couldn\'t possibly be an excess of Salt,because I don\'t eat much.If/when I do,it is Celtic Sea Salt.I failed to include another Water I drink..Dasani..It could also very well be not drinking enough Water to flush Toxins out or not drinking the "right" type of Water..\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Chatterbox, I am really too tied up to write much right now, but you can order blood tests at Life Extension if you can afford to pay for them yourself...if you live in the US.\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Nightowl,
\nYes,I know about LEF.If my Doctor won\'t order the Tests,then I will have no other choice but to order myself.
\n
\nThank you for suggesting\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Early Bird, what is the miracle in Miracle II soap?\r\n

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\r\n \r\n I\'ve discovered the tremendous (and very inexpensive plus readily available!) benefits of Epsom salts.
\n
\nFrom my studies, I\'ve learned that magnesium deficiency is pretty common in our current society. Magnesium is vital to the healthy operation of our bodies, and a deficiency causes a host of ills and related symptoms.
\n
\nThis article by Dr. Mark Hyman is excellent for an understanding of magnesium\'s role in health: Magnesium: Meet the Most Powerful Relaxation Mineral Available
\n
\n
\nIn closing, if you like baths, I highly recommend taking an Espsom salt bath before bed. Ooh yeah! It is SO relaxing and as you\'ll read in Dr. Hyman\'s article, magnesium is the "relaxation mineral" because it\'s a key to muscle functioning and muscle\'s ability to relax... I\'ve found it SO true. And to make your bath even more heavenly, look for lavender Epsom salts or add a few drops of lavender oil. You\'ll be amazed at how much better you feel and sleep!
\n
\nCheers,
\nBB\r\n

\r\n __________________
\r\n Improving health made simple.\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Hi bb,
\nHaven\'t seen you in a while. Hope all is well.\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Hi Arrowwind,
\n
\nYes, things are going great, thanks! Hope you are doing fine as well
\n
\nSincerely,
\nBB\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Hi BB, good to hear from you, been missing you! I\'m with you on the Epsom Salt, excellent for a relaxing back/sore muscles. Used along with my Magnesium Citrate supplement and Mag Oil...I\'m covered!
\nhttps://www.natmedtalk.com/thrifty-li...m-sulfate.html\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Physical activity is essential to ward off leg cramps..
\n
\nI\'d rule out dehydration electrolyte or hormonal imbalance.
\n
\nThis link is really great for explaining just how important it is to keep your mineral ratios in check and the damage you can do by over supplementing or supplementation when it\'s not needed..
\nhttps://www.acu-cell.com/mr.html
\n
\n\r\n

\r\n __________________
\r\n
\nThe art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease
\n~Voltaire~
\n
\n\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Oh, in my work I have seen some patients come into hospice using homeopathic combination remedies that they swear by for leg cramps. These are some of the last medicines to be taken by ... remember most of these patients can\'t even get in a a bath tub or do all that we might to relieve leg crams.
\n
\nsome of the homeopathic preparations have quinine in them. Im thinking that Hylands might make one of them.\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Ive stopped having leg cramps since Ive stopped the soda and coffee. Not having a bathtub with leg cramps would be terrible! the only way I would be able to get rid of the leg cramps in the upper front part of my legs, would be to get in a tub of nothing but hot water.... I have crawled to my bathroom many a times just to get into the water.. Im not sure if they stopped because I was drinking so much soda and coffee or because I wasnt drinking water....since Ive stopped them, I have definitly added more water.
\nI wonder, if you are having leg cramps or could it possibly be restless leg syndrome??? Im not sure how you would be able to tell the difference though.\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Seems like something must be interfering with magnesium absorption. Or something is removing magnesium, maybe like a drug.
\n
\nIt is one of the several jobs of magnesium to relax the muscles. Calcium would constrict them. Perhaps too much calcium is indicated.\r\n

\r\n __________________
\r\n -
\n- Jim
\nLife is just one damned thing after another - Elbert Hubbard
\n
\n\r\n

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\r\n \r\n Restless leg syndrome typically is not painful. Uncomfortable but not pain. It feels more like anxiety in the legs.\r\n

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