leg cramps and pain

[berolina]

Was woken up Mon am by my first leg cramp - very unpleasant but par for the course at 21 weeks pg. My question is, though, is it normal to have a slight ache in the leg (where the cramp was) for quite a while afterwards (had it yesterday morning, it came back when I went to bed and now I've still got it)? Rang my doctor yesterday but didn't really get an answer to the question and they just said I was prob lacking magmesium and should take tablets. Am a bit worried about thrombosis. Can anyone help?

[bee3]

Having had leg cramps at night, on and off, all my life, as well as during pg, I'd say the 'after-ache' is normal. I always thought it was just a bruised/sore muscle after the cramp, as if that place had been kicked.

However, I have no medical knowledge, or experience of thrombosis so its just as well to get it checked. Gp didn't sound v helpful . Could you ring your mw?

Anyone else know about this?

[singsong]

It would be normal to have a dull ache for a while after a severe episode of cramp, kind of like a pulled muscle from the spasm. Is your leg with the pain swollen compared to the other leg? This would be a sign of possible thrombosis. Also did the ache start immediately after the cramp? Because if so it is very likely that it is an after effect of the cramp.

[Nimme]

LOL Hausfrau! My poor DH was also woken up more than once by me screaming. To shut me up he quickly twisted my leg in the right direction. I didn't feel sorry for him - he snores

Berolina - I found that doing calf stretches before bed helped a bit and not to kick out legs in panic when cramp set in.

[Donbean]

ooh yes i had shocking leg cramps and the spot was sore for up to 2 days later with me.
Thombosis will present with symptoms such as a reddened hot area, in addittion to the pain and may feel hard to the touch.
HTH

[bakedpotato]

berolina, i did find if I remembered to push my heel down and my toes up towards my knee, rather than pointing them ballerina-style (which was what i WANTED to do when cramp struck), the after-ache was less terrible.

[biglips]

ooh i remeber them when i was pg (i also had them when i was a teenager too - growing pains it was) as the cramp came on everytime i was stretching in bed before i got up, so in the end i had to remember not stretch my legs. yes that is right that you been to bring your toes upwards to relieved the cramp.

[biglips]

i mean you 'need' to bring your toes upwards

[MiriamR]

Berolina - perfectly normal to have 'after ache' with cramps. I had thrombosis with ds1 in my leg - my symptoms: aching leg and lower back, noticeable swelling of the leg; and some redness which felt quite hot to the touch and was itchy. I had spoken to my mw about it when symptoms first appeared at a routine visit - she thought it was due to the way ds1 was laid but after several days of constant aches - getting to the stage of 'limping' around - I was admitted to hospital. If you are worried, I would seek advice but please remember that thankfully, thrombosis is not common. HTH and Best Wishes for the rest of your pregnancy

[catgirl]

this doesn't answer your question (but others have), but I found a glass of tonic water (sadly without the vodka ) before bed stopped my leg cramps during pg. Something to do with quinine and cramps - worked for me. HTH

[berolina]

Wow, so much advice, thank you!

Have noticed while at work this morning that it it is sometimes not noticeable at all, but hurts most when moving the leg (e.g. when twisting it around on foot), getting up/sitting down again, or going up/down stairs. And it does feel more like a pulled muscle than anything else. Doesn't hurt to touch, doesn't really feel hard and I can see no swelling.

Morgen (well now Guten Tag) Hausfrau! Went back to sleep after the cramp so I don't know really when it started, but when I got up it was there. Yesterday during the day it was either gone or I didn't notice it. In the evening it came back . And yes, I screamed dh awake on Mon morning too! Blinkin' ell, it hurt...