Nighttime Cramping Help
My left leg, usually the calf muscle, but occasionally on the thigh, was cramping nearly every night. I had severe thrombosis (blood clots) in that leg some years ago, after surgery. The blood clots were removed back then, and I’ve been in the clear so far.
The right leg only cramps once or twice a year, so it is just normal cramping compared to the leg that had thrombosis. All my leg cramping happens at night.
I started doing more to help – eating bananas, drinking electrolytes, taking potassium and magnesium at night, and wearing a compression stocking at night. I also don’t sit or stand for long and make sure to move my leg a lot during the day. I keep it elevated more so blood does not pool down, in case the vein valves are faulty (as an ultrasound cannot determine such).
These things have helped – I only cramp occasionally and not frequently. The cramps are not as bad anymore either and I don’t have pain for much of the day after a nighttime cramp.
I have been taking potassium and magnesium supplements before bedtime and have forgotten to put the compression sock on. I have not had cramps for some weeks, so the supplements must be helping.
In any case, do tell your doctor about your cramping situation and ask what you should do. I did ask the nurse (when I went back for an ultrasound), and she said I was doing everything just right. The ultrasound cannot discern if the vein valves are sticking, so I need get an ultrasound yearly. I do realize that my situation is different from many others, so it’s best to discuss with your doctor, to make sure no other issues are going on.
PR