Leg and foot cramp PLEEAASSSEEE HELP

[no1putsbabyinthecorner]

I am currently 33 weeks and have had cramp in my calves and feet EVERY SINGLE night for the last 4 weeks. sometimes in the day too.

I know how to ease the calf cramp but the foot cramp is excrutiating and lasts on average about 10 minutes. Whatever position I try or rub pain just gets worse.
It is driving me crazy, not to mention the lack of sleep.

I have a banana almost every day, I drink plenty of water. Will also try tonic.
Had a few episodes in 1st pregnancy but nothing like this.
Any advice/tips gratefully recieved, I am feeling very sorry for myself.

[no1putsbabyinthecorner]

anyone

[dizzydixies]

oh I did a thread about this and was told to have tonic water which seemed to help

not a lot as although its the quinine (sp?!) in it that helps you shouldn't have too much of it when pregnant

if you can't stomach tonic chuck in some lime and just incase you'd prefer it Irn Bru has it too

[dizzydixies]

will have a look for my thread too incase there is something I've forgotten

[madmouse]

Oh that is horrible. I was going to say bananas and milk, but you already know about the bananas.

I have wrecked my feet with jazz dance and ballet and do a nice line in foot cramps, they are the worst. Warm socks help as cold is the absolute enemy. Sleeping with your feet up to make sure nothing pools or stagnates in there. Little walk every day. Foot under a warm (not hot)running tap during cramp.

Hope some of this helps a little, if not it is at least another bump

[dizzydixies]

here

hope you find something that helps

[no1putsbabyinthecorner]

oh thank you.
I love tonic water
Is it normal to have cramp so frequently then

[dizzydixies]

yes absolutely - just another joy of pregnancy they don't tell you about before you sign up

[AuntieMaggie]

low sodium or potassium levels can cause cramp as can dehydration - are you drinking plenty?

[no1putsbabyinthecorner]

Hi I try socks as I was sure that it did help. AS I feel so hot at night I very rarely have quilt over me so when I wake with cramp my legs and feet are freezing.

will get some tonic water tomorow.
would love to sleep through the night.

Maybe its just natures wicked way of preparing me for the sleepless nights ahead.

[no1putsbabyinthecorner]

I do drink quite a lot of water dont drink tea or coffee.
only green tea but not for a while.
Have the occasional cranberry and a small amount of oranje juice with spatone in a morning.

[Sushipaws]

I had the worst leg and foot cramp when I was pregnant. I went to pregnant yoga and the teacher showed me a way to ease the cramp and stop the problem occuring.

I'm not sure how well i'll explain this but here goes. The cramps happen when your body is relaxed and the muscle is suddenly jerked, this causes the pain. I found that my cramps would happen at the point were I was in between sleep cycles and just at the point of almost waking, my body would move and then I'd be hopping around screaming.

My yoga instructor told me that at the point were I'm in between sleep cycles I needed to train my body to stretch slowly by pushing my heel down and pulling my toes up. Of course this takes some training, so when you get a cramp you need to stay relaxed and do the stretch and it should stop the pain. Over time you'll start doing it automatically, it took me about 10 days and I started to notice I was doing it even when I woke up in the mornings.

Hope this helps.

[chocbiscuits]

There is something about lack of salt in cramp, just looked it up and can be dehydration, lack of salt or calcium or hyperflexion (some sort of muscle stretching).
Quote:
"There is no scientific evidence to support the widely held claim by the sports nutrition industry that intake of specially composed electrolyte drinks has any advantage over intake of plain table salt (via drink or food) and water to counter these electrolyte disturbances and muscle cramps in people with a well-functioning renal system.

Eating foods high in potassium can help prevent muscle cramps. Foods with high sources of potassium include, in order from highest to lowest: avocados, potatoes, bananas, broccoli, orange juice, soybeans and apricots, although it is also common in most fruits, vegetables and meats"

If that's any help....

[no1putsbabyinthecorner]

Thanks for advice trying tonic water before bed tonight.

Didnt do too bad last night but when I had been up a while this morning I got cramp in my foot which lasted ages

[googgly]

Magnesium supplements completely solved the problem for me. Standard issue for pregnant women where I live actually - because of the cramp problem.

[no1putsbabyinthecorner]

Hi do you get the suplements from any chemist or do they have to be prescribed?

[RUMPEL]

Here - you can buy them in Holland and Barrat and Boots - work a treat.

www.elixirhealth.co.uk/asps/ShowDetails.asp?id=893

[no1putsbabyinthecorner]

I can not believe it. I had a tiny can of tonic water before bed last night and for the first time I had no cramp at all not even a twinge.
First time I have woke up and my legs have felt normal, none of that tight aching feeling where you darnt stretch just in case. IYKWIM.