Muscle cramps, is this a mineral deficiency issue?

[KiwiJo]

Hi people

Just wondering if the cramps in my feet and lower legs could be because of a malabosorbtion issue? I htink Ive heard of this before, and my grandad used to get really bad cramps and he had crohns. does anyone have any ideas? Ive just started taking a magnesium supplement because Im almost certain Im deficient in calcium (apparantly magnesium helps with that). The only other supplement I take is fish oil.

Thanks

 

[Crohn's 35]

HI kiwi, I had the same thing, turns out I was very low on Potassium which causes muscles to cramp etc. Get your B12 levels check out too, I was low on both and was caught in time to catch up with it.

They are still bothering me but that is thanks to Prednisone.

Another trick that works is tonic water and cranberry juice the Quinine in the tonic water stops cramps. Just a bit of help there.

 

[Pirate]

Another thing that can cause cramping is de-hydrartion. But the most common seems to be the potassium like Jetta said.

I do get them quite often. I eat bananas.

 

[ameslouise]

That happens to me, too, when I am dehydrated and when my sodium intake is too low. Some Gatorade or Propel helps, plus I up my salt intake (which is probably not right remedy for everyone - I tend to get sodium deficient quickly b/c I am missing my entire colon).

I also keep a tube of leg cramp relief ointment by my bed for those middle of the night cramps!

 

[kenny]

Another thing that can cause cramping is de-hydrartion. But the most common seems to be the potassium like Jetta said.

I do get them quite often. I eat bananas.

Me too. I am getting to the point of being able to predict this when my pee starts to darken. It happens when I forget to drink that extra Liter or 2 of the h2o for a few days running.

 

[shazamataz]

I was having twitches at night and started back on magnesium and calcium and they stopped. I also used to get cramps in my feet but no longer get them on these supplements. Salt too - i have 1/4 tsp salt in water in the morning and out heaps on my food at night. Hope they get better Jo!!!

 

[merrywidow]

when i get that, it becasue i am low in salt. so i eat some pretzels.

 

[KiwiJo]

Hmmm, interesting about the salt thing. Im actually on medication to help me retain salt (fludrocortisone) and I had tried tapering it down. Im guessing the cramps are telling me that im not ready to reduce it yet. I'll put it back up and see how things go.

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

YES to Tonic Water!

I've had a can before bed every night for the last week. What a difference!

 

[shawne]

Cool .. never heard of the salt thing before. I've really cut down on my salt usage. I'll have to pay attention to that when the "twitching" begins. I try to take cal.mag. and potassium(sp?) daily with my multi. or when my feet / legs just plain lock up. hydration is usually an issue also. Gatorade usually helps me get under control to..