Terrible cramps in feet and legs - any cures out there? 22 weeks.

[Missingcaffeine]

I've been waking up in the night frequently with cramps in my feet since pregnant, but last few days had cramps in my legs so bad I am screaming and crying in pain - thank goodness this has only happened at home. I try to stretch and massage them which helps but both lower legs and feet feel like they are on the brink of cramp and I'm terrified about going to sleep as I know I'm going to be woken with cramps tonight.
I've been eating bananas, taking my vitamins, even took Magnesium Zinc supplement this-morning. I'm desperate!

[loopylou52]

I'm not sure I can advise much else but just wanted to say I know exactly how you feel! I get cramp in my thighs/hip flexor muscle and have the same fears about going to sleep because I'm scared I won't 'catch' the cramp in time. I started taking magnesium and thought it may be helping but I'm not sure. Last night I used a hot water bottle in bed (my legs are permanently aching) and that seemed to help a bit. I've also heard tonic water can help but haven't tried that yet so that may be worth a go?

[nyldn]

I keep reading a glass of tonic water before bed helps. sorry you're both so uncomfortable!

[VaselineOnToast]

I had my first horrible leg cramp the other day. It took a good 15 min to subside :/

I've read that in addition to magnesium, calcium might help. Start downing milk, yoghurt snd cheese I guess!

[Booboostoo]

Magnesium worked for my first pregnancy and for this one. I just take vitamin supplements, once or twice and day and I don't have any cramps. Otherwise I had them constantly 4-5 per night, so strong they take my breath away, and then they still hurt all through the day.

[Missingcaffeine]

Thank you for these ideas and sorry you've also been suffering loopy, vaseline and booboo. I'm definitely going to up the calcium (I've been craving milk anyway) and make sure I don't miss my vitamins. Oh and start the tonic water. Actually I drank a glass of tonic water before bed last night and I didn't wake up with cramps but my legs do still feel on the brink of cramp. I'm going to yoga now, maybe that will help too.
I read cramps can be due to deficiency of: Magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium and also low blood sugar.

[MrsGiraffe12]

I had this last night. Am 22+6. Was in tears last night, it's awful. Going to try some of these tips xx

[mousmous]

magnesium and flight socks made a real difference for me.
I still take magnesium (not pregnant) after a run or a hike. if I don't I get cramps at night...

[mousmous]

oh, and don't take magnesium and calcium together, they cancl each other out.
a good way to get a good balance is taking calcium in the mornings and magnesium in the evening.

[HeavenK76]

I have cramps in my thighs and hips as well.
is it alright to take magnesium while your taking pregnacare vitamins and where do I buy this.
It's very painful I know, can't even stand up in the morning and the pain in my legs is there all day. :(

[HeavenK76]

not to mention I've got spd as well so the pain....
Again the joys of being pg

[mousmous]

yes, my dr told me it's ok to take magnesium in addition.

[Booboostoo]

Yes I am taking magnesium and D3 in addition to pregnacare vitamins - all recommended by the doctor (D3 may have something to do with preventing autism - the jury is out on that one but no harm in taking it apparently).

[Missingcaffeine]

The body will naturally get rid of any excess magnesium (unless you have kidney problems), so they are quite safe to take.
I've also read some more and that crossing legs can contribute. I've not had cramps for 2 nights now, and been trying not to cross my legs along with all of the above advice. I think the cramps are partly due to reduce nutrients reaching the muscles due to reduced blood flow in pregnancy - made worse by crossing legs.

[Edenviolet]

Tonic water and osteocare tablets worked for me.

[Hazchem]

Magnesium can be absorb via the skin so having an epsom salt bathing the evening or getting spray oil magnesium and spraying on your legs before bed. You can also spray it into your armpits to get it into your system a bit faster.
I love the spray oil now and use some everyday. It also works for sore backs too.

[loopylou52]

heaven - I have pgp too and I think the fact the cramp tends to be in my upper thighs (and that my legs ache all the time) is related. I've tried tonic water the last two nights and it may have helped - hard to tell. I'm hoping for a more permanent natural cure sometime soon - currently 40+1!

Just a quick caution about the magnesium spray - there is one which is labelled as a night time one to help you sleep. It contains clary sage, which I understand should be avoided in pregnancy until the end because it's one of those things that people use to try to bring on labour. There's no warning on the bottle that pregnant people shouldn't use it. Not trying to scare-monger, just want make sure others are aware. The normal spray doesn't contain it and I've been using that - not sure it's really helped me though.