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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Leg cramps & torn muscles - normal?

12 replies

Trillian42 · 13/03/2010 11:15

I'm 28 weeks gone and I woke up with some painful leg cramps a couple of nights ago (in one leg only), and had to stand up to stretch them out. Actually I jumped out of bed like it was on fire, frightening the life out of my husband, because it was so sore! Standing is the only way to stop the spasms.

But I'm still in agony 2 days later, and have difficulty going down stairs because the calf is so sore. It's like I've torn a muscle after doing serious exercise without warming up. Is this normal?

I've put on less than a stone in weight, so it's not like my leg muscles are coping with too much extra at the moment either.

Is this standard or something I should mention to my GP?

Thanks

OP posts:
thumbwitch · 13/03/2010 11:18

Firstly, have you been checked for DVT? If not, get checked as soon as you can.

Second, as your pg advances, your collagen softens so there is a slight increase in risk of tissue damage but not from a cramp. Cramps can take a couple of days to settle down if they are really bad - if it's still sore tomorrow then consider seeing your doc.

Original poster
Trillian42 · 13/03/2010 11:39

Thanks for the quick reply. I haven't been checked for DVT - I just looked it up on Wiki because I thought it was a long haul flight-only thing. I don't seem to be in a risk category, except for being pregnant. No family history, low blood pressure, generally slim, no recent long haul flights (unless December counts?), non-smoker etc.

Typical that I read this on a Saturday when I can't go to my GP until Monday! Do you know is this something I should go into the maternity hospital for today?

OP posts:
thumbwitch · 13/03/2010 11:46

Well tbh I would go straight to A&E with it - another poster had this on Thursday/Friday, went to her GP who sent her to A&E, so I'd cut out the middle man and go straight there!
Having said that, they didn't do the leg scan out of hours because it wasn't risky enough to call someone in; but they did do a blood test to see whether or not a DVT was likely.

Pregnancy is a risk in itself, and there are conditions (I have one) that increase the risk massively when pg. You wouldn't know you had the condition necessarily until you have a DVT. Now, none of this means that you DO have a DVT but I'd rather be safe.

It can probably wait until Monday - but I'd still go straight to A&E

Walnut8 · 13/03/2010 11:47

I had calf cramps really badly on and off at night for a few months in second trimester and yes the soreness and muscular pain would last a day or two afterwards (like after a heavy gym workout). Best thing I've done is take the Osteocare supplement (Calcium, magnesium and vit D) with my preg supplement. Now I only get calf cramps if I forget to take it, so it obviously helps! Hadn't considered the DVT angle though!

Divster · 13/03/2010 11:50

No, go A&E today, earlier rather than later (being a Saturday!)

I had this just the other day, went gp who then sent me A&E (should have gone straight there to save alot of time!)

It was from cramp, but hadnt gone after more than 2 days, and in the time between going gp and getting to A&E my calf had swollen up more than 3 inches!

A&E doc was convinced it was a DVT, so had had a jab of herparin and sent home to wait for scan app on my leg.

It wasnt a DVT, it turns out, but i am so glad I got it checked all the same.

Please get yours checked! Better to be safe...

thumbwitch · 13/03/2010 11:52

I must admit I had a few serious golfballs in my own calves during pg, which took a couple of days to calm down; but as I was on heparin at the time, I was pretty sure the "afterburn" wasn't DVT, especially as it was in both legs. (Also, I am a massage therapist so used to massage the residual knots out of my calves)

HOwever - until you have had it checked out, do NOT massage your calf now! Once you know it isn't a DVT, fine - but not until you know.

Original poster
Trillian42 · 13/03/2010 13:00

Thanks all, got hold of a GP who's a relative on the phone who said to go in to the hospital. I rang them, explained symptoms and they said there's a 4 hour wait so to have lunch first! On way in 10 mins post quick sandwich. Will report back, thanks again for the advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
Trillian42 · 13/03/2010 17:13

Well, I'm back from the hospital. They're sure it's not a clot, but a pulled muscle of some description. They measured my calves, and as they're both the same size with no swelling, that's the verdict. They said if there is swelling later, to go straight to A&E in my local regular hospital as they don't have the scanning equipment in the maternity hospital anyway. They also said to go to my GP about it on Monday as they don't know about muscles, being baby doctors.

I think they thought I was being a hypochondriac drama queen to be honest. I still don't know how I could pull a muscle in my sleep, but although I feel pretty foolish, I know that they're not pregnancy leg cramps now!

OP posts:
eastendmummy · 13/03/2010 17:19

I've done this and pulled muscles in my calf when asleep when not pregnant and was told it was due to lack of salt in my diet. I know it's not wise to have too much but now put a small amount in food I'm cooking and haven't had it since - I'm 36 weeks and no cramps at all. Glad that your mind has been put at rest, but may be worth looking at supplements suitable for pregnancy.

thumbwitch · 13/03/2010 22:17

agree with eastendmummy re the supplements/salt.

If there's no improvement by Monday, definitely go and see someone again.

Original poster
Trillian42 · 14/03/2010 13:53

Thanks again for responses. I'm already taking pregnancy supplements (iron, multi-vitamins & omega 3) and drinking lots of milk to up my calcium. My salt intake is higher than most peoples (based on consultant's advice due to very low blood pressure), so I don't think that's it.

The doctor from the hospital rang me this morning to make sure nothing had happened during the night! I was quite surprised as I'm not a private patient and this would not be usual. She was very nice, said she was concerned afterwards and had talked to colleagues about it and to go back in immediately if it gets worse. So maybe they didn't think I was being silly after all! I will go to GP tomorrow if the pain hasn't improved to get it checked out.

It's funny, sometimes the pregnancy books make you a bit complacent about things - I just assumed it was the infamous leg cramps they said to expect in the third trimester. [hmmm]
I'm very glad I posted here, thank you all for the suggestions & advice.

OP posts:
thumbwitch · 14/03/2010 14:03

do you eat bananas? Try adding one of those in daily, the potassium is supposed to help with cramp as well. Strawberries and other fruits also contain potassium but bananas are the easiest.
Does it still hurt or is it getting better?

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