aliens performing an operation on my

[zippitippitoes]

calf muscle without an anaesthetic.

Does anyone get cramp in the night? I had the worst I've ever experienced last night..I'm sure I most have woken the neighbours with my screaming, not to mention ds mate who was staying over...I'm sure he gave me an odd look this morning...

Anyway any ideas on prevention and what causes it?

I don't know about prevention but when it happens to me I force myself to put it on the ground and stand

It is agony though but it makes it stop

I have a feeling it is because of build up of ........ acid {forgotten name atm}

It's something to do with salt - or calcium - or both. I think. I used to get it v badly when pregnant and was always astonished at quickly how I could propel myself to my feet from a prone position when it struck (took aaages normally )

I will google, ztt.

patient.co.uk has a long list of "secondary causes" -

Some medicines can cause cramps as a side-effect, or make cramps occur more often. These include: diuretics ('water tablets'), nifedipine, cimetidine, salbutamol, terbutaline, lithium, clofibrate, penicillamine, morphine (withdrawal), phenothiazines, and nicotinic acid.
Over-exertion of muscles.
Dehydration.
Conditions that cause alterations in the balance of salts in the bloodstream (such as a high or low sodium or potassium level).
Some people who have renal (kidney) dialysis get leg cramps.
Pregnancy - usually in the later stages.
An untreated under-active thyroid gland.
Peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of the leg arteries which causes poor circulation).
Cirrhosis of the liver is a rare cause.
Lead poisoning.
Sarcoidosis.
Rare disorders of nerves.
Excess alcohol.

(I can vouch for the alcohol bit )

not a clue on prevention but if its teh devils cramp i had whilst pregnant u need to tense ur muscles as soon as u feel it. point and flex your foot and it will stop straight away. will still hurt for a bit but not as much and u will shake off the aliens!

Thank you janh. There is some interesting information there.

I think my circulation is quite poor so probably doesn't help. I will try the stretching exercises.

I used to get them really bad at the end of my pregnancy and just after I had dd.

My Midwife told me it was lack of calcium. She suggested I eat things like porridge for my breakfast and have a something like rice pudding or angel delight for a desert in an evening and if I could have a milky drink before I went to bed.
It did work after a few days and me being me I thought that I could just stop eating all the calcium enriched foods since the cramps had stopped but suprise suprise they came back!

I can recommend avoncooling gel to relieve it if thats any help?
(sure there is other makes)

I strongly recommend the opposite of pointing your feet. As soon as you feel the first twinge, bring your toes up as far as you can (using hands if necessary but don't force it) thus stretching out the calf muscle. I used to suffer exactly the same - waking up in agony - but now I seem to sense when a cramp is coming on and the bring the toes up trick has worked every time.

If you're fortunate enough to have someone with you when it happens, get them to push against your foot whilst you're lying down. they should put their fingers on the base of your foot, whilst you have your leg straight. You push down on them and they push against your foot - works every time!

Agree with Robinia - if you catch it in time, it will go away very quickly if you bring your toes up as far towards your knee as you can!