cramping/charlie horses

ok so i know my body is missing some vitamin/nutrient because i am getting horrib;e cramps in my legs and feet daily and sometimes in my hands.  i though it was a potassium deficiency but places i've looked online say that's not the cause...oh well so much for the common knowledge from my youth soccer days...

anyone have any suggestions? 

Once again Mtgeman you and I seem to have the same problems. I had cramps too when I started healing as the Remicade started working. The cramping seems to have diminished. I suggest you stay hydrated and exercise in addition to eating and vitamins that you suggest. I walk everyday in my job and exercise that way. I am trying to drink enough water and thanks to my wife I get an excellent balanced diet. don't over do the exercise though. JUst try to keep things "alive" and gradually improve

Post Edited (FunGuy) : 7/25/2010 10:06:13 PM (GMT-6)

I get charlie horses once every few months in the middle of the night! I wake up and it hurts like crazy!!

This was a very common side effect of the prednisone for me.

I get charlie horses in my hands and in the arches of my feet. Quite painful. It happens less often if I eat at least one banana a day and drink lots of water.

Could be that you're deficient in magnesium. If D is a problem for you, try to get magnesium glycinate, which is bowel neutral. Magnesium oxide might cause too much of a laxative effect.

Also, take a look at this "soft serve ice cream" made only with bananas. Everyone says it is fantastic, and it's on my list to try: http://www.comfybelly.com/2010/05/banana-ice-cream.html

Sorry, I live in the Uk - what is a charlie horse ?

A charlie horse is the sudden painful knotting and cramping of a muscle, particularly the calves.  I have had them so bad at times if feels like there is a baseball, looks like it as well, under the skin where my calf muscle is supposed to be.

mtgman, I feel like I am having a tough time processing the amount of water needed to stay well hydrated.  How about you?  I have been mixing it up with a bit of gatorade on the days I really need to get work done outside.

thanks for the banana tips- i'll give them a shot- sounds more appetizing that a plain banana!  getting enough water is tough!  i drink gatorade and powerade also- we stock up why fry's or safeway has them cheap- i think we bough 20 bottles for 49 cents each a couple of weeks ago! 

Banana dipped in chocolate and then frozen. Yum. I get the cramps too - alot lately - and I'm not on pred. However - I do know I've been deficient in potassium and vit D of late. I take D tab daily, and I've taken potassium supplements in hospital, but never sent home with them, just told bananas and such. I understand it's one of those vities that we need JUST enough of; too much is a problem too. We can't win sometimes huh?

I'm also an ostomate, so dehydration way more of an issue than when I had my colon --- I do the electrolyte drinks on hot days, figure water alone doesn't cut it.

I didn't mean to imply that remicade gave me the cramps. I meant only to say that as I was getting healthier, due to Remicade, I was having cramps. I don't think the Remicade caused it I think it might have more to do with how far down I was health and nutrition wise and then as I got better and more active the cramps began. Not sure really on the cause though????????

I used to get cramps in the arch. Talk about painful! I have no idea why I used to get them so much, but luckily, I haven't got them in awhile. The way I got rid of these cramps (at least temporarily) was to stand on the ball of my foot to stretch out the arch/toes.

Thought of another good way to get electrolytes: coconut water (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_water). I wish I could drink this, but it's not SCD legal.