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Increase of charley horses

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/23/2017 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Have any of you had a bout of increase charley horses? Lately, once or twice a night I wake up and my whole leg just cramps up. It lasts about 10 minutes, the but man is it painful! Especially when you're half asleep and trying to make it to the bathroom. haha Sometimes I get them during the day too.

I think I am getting the proper nutrition as i eat my fruits and vegetables (Or at least the ones my UC will let me handle).

Any thoughts?


My Meds:

4 tabs of Lialda daily
1 to 2 Bentyl daily if needed
Occasional imodium
Humira injection every other week
Posted 4/23/2017 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Magnesium regulates muscle contraction. Leg cramps, or a “charley horse” are a common symptom of magnesium deficiency. (Note that leg cramps that occur with physical activity, such as walking, are usually due to atherosclerotic blockages in the leg or abdominal arteries, not low magnesium.)

We IBDers need to be careful about too much magnesium since too much can can cause diarrhea. A deficiency of Q10 could also be the problem:

www.lifeextension.com/Magazine/2012/6/Drug-Muggers-Can-Slowly-Steal-Life-Out-Of-You/Page-01
Did you know that leg cramps are associated with over 200 drugs via the drug mugging effect of CoQ10. A deficiency of that nutrient can very well cause cramps, muscle spasms, and weakness.
Posted 4/23/2017 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
when i fail to drink enough water, shockingly painful leg cramps are the result - and they mostly occur between 11 pm & 1 am when i'm in deep - sleep that is !
Posted 4/23/2017 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Are you sure it's not a clot, lile a dvt? We're much more prone to those...
Posted 4/23/2017 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Don't they say potassium can help with these? Like coconut water or bananas? I can't imagine getting those more than once every few years, they hurt like hell!!!!! skull
Posted 4/23/2017 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
They also say calcium helps. And dehydration and low B12 and low vitamin D can cause cramping.

Are you having any back issues, or the Humira.

I would suggest you see your doctor for further testing.

q
Posted 4/23/2017 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
I had really bad foot cramps. Bloodwork showed my Vitamin D levels were low so I started taking a Vitamin D supplement and have not had cramps since.
Posted 4/23/2017 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
If your vitamin levels are all good then it can be from one of your meds.
Posted 4/24/2017 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
I started getting really bad foot cramps too for a while and it ended up being low magnesium levels, like Iamcurious said. Obviously you should be careful with adding in too much.

What I did was started using mineral salt (I like Real Salt brand) in everything I cooked instead of regular table salt where they strip out most of the minerals (at least that's my understanding). 2 days after starting that my night foot cramps all went away. Also started sleeping better pretty immediately. Maybe that'll work for you?
Posted 4/24/2017 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
One way to absorb a lot of magnesium into your body while bypassing your digestive system is to take a couple of Epsom Salt baths.
Posted 4/26/2017 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Apart from vitamin/mineral supplementation, have you tried standing up quickly to put weight on the affected leg when it cramps? I know it sounds crazy, but a friend of mine advised me to do that when cramping occurred during the night & it helped reduce the pain right away. / Old Hat (36 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 4/27/2017 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with that, Old Hat. I tried everything - trying to relax the cramping muscle, massaging it, hitting it, flexing foot, pointing toes. None of those worked. I read the same advice - standing right on it and walking around on it. It worked! It's the only thing that ever works.
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