Severe cramping in legs and feet bizarrely!

[Verynice]

Posting here for traffic really.

Basically, in the morning when I wake up and move my feet, they go into severe and extremely painful cramps.
When I do Pilates, it also happens, though then it also can be cramps in my calves.

Any ideas? Not enough salts? Too many salts?

Something to see GP about?

Or is it a lack of fitness?

I get awful cramp in my feet if I haven't had enough potassium or magnesium. It's worse after strenuous workouts (makes sense as I'll have sweated). I try to make sure I get some spinach and coconut water in every day. If I have enough, no cramps.

I cannot help with what causes it, but a short term solution I've found is to do what professional footballers do. If you've ever seen a footballer go down with cramp, a team mate will grab said footballers heel with their "lead Hand (obviously the inflicted one is on the ground at this point), other hand on the top of their foot/ bottom of their ankle. They will then press the heel up towards the afflicted ones knee.

I do it myself when I go swimming. I usually get cramp in my foot/ leg at least once. Standing on one leg and trying to point the afflicted foot towards my knee

Drink more fluid and try a magnesium spray for your calves and feet. If it tingles like mad, it means you're low on magnesium.

Something to see your GP about. Cramps are often due to magnesium deficiency but best to get an accurate diagnosis.

I used to get this when I was about 14 and my GP at the time blamed it on wearing flat shoes to school - except I didn't had it for about a year though and then it stopped on its own. Never did find out the cause, but I can sympathise with your pain. When it comes on, try pushing your toes back. Sometimes it releases the pressure in your foot.

Take magnesium supplements before bed. 100% recommended amount. Have a hot bath with loads of epsom salts before bed and wear socks in bed. Also eat a banana every day and a handful of raw almonds and cashews. Make sure you arent eating a low sodium diet (if you eat any ready food, you arent). Keep going for 2 weeks and if it isnt any better, go to the GP for blood tests

yes to magnesium supplement before bedtime.
gentle streches before going to bed.
and a hot waterbottle.
possibly flight socks at night.

Thanks all. Will ask at next GP apt.

Some magnesium supplements may upset your stomach, that's why I use a magnesium spray even if it does usually sting like buggery!.

Eat a banana every evening. Contains potassium and magnesium

I tried a low carb diet once to support dh, I lasted three days because of severe cramps in my calves and feet. I had to pull over urgently when driving, it was unbearable. I went back on to carbs and it stopped, so possibly diet related?

I have suffered it for years , until the day my doctor prescribed quinine sulphate . Works , as its a muscle relaxant , but sometimes it still tries it on the painful curse that it is ,.

As others have said , Magnesium and bananas may well help you too,

I sympathise OP it hurts like hell ,

@MidsummerBurgers (great name) do chemists sell that spray you mention as not heard of it before.

I was given magnesium supplements in my home country. Over here it hasn't been mentioned. I'm so tired of GPs here.

It’s common enough in pregnancy. They recomend bananas and lots of fluids.

I suffer with terrible foot cramps that come and go over the years.

Doc can do a blood test so def worth going in just to get checked out.

I was prescribed quinine sulphate and as others have mentioned bananas are good.

Something else the doc told me is that when the cramping happens, as hard as it is try and take relaxing breaths. Being stressed and anxious causes a physical response in your body that can exacerbate the cramping.

I had this after I cut out wheat and dairy for a couple of months. I mostly don't get cramps any more after I reintroduced them to my diet.

You don't need to see a GP for magnesium supplements - any pharmacy will have them on the shelves.

@MidsummerBurgers (great name) do chemists sell that spray you mention as not heard of it before.

Why thank you!

I get mine from Amazon. I have IBS so the slightest thing upsets my stomach at the best of times.

I use this one as it has good reviews. There are others available too.

www.amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Original-Magnesium-Oil-Spray/dp/B002VPDX4W/ref=sr_1_5?s=gateway&crid=1LFCKD2FBI00S&keywords=magnesium+spray&sprefix=magne%2Caps%2C167&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1553789027&sr=8-5

Excellent

Thank You @MidsomerBurgers