Chronic Health Conditions Discussion and Support

LibGranny

(711 posts) Sat Jan 26, 2013, 03:40 PM Jan 2013

Anyone suffer from chronic leg cramps (Charlie Horses)? I've had this problem [View all]

for nearly 5 years and I've tried potassium supplements, calcium supplements, an OTC med called "Leg Cramps" (which worked for a while) and then talked to my doctor. He ordered a Doppler test on my legs (which revealed nothing) then said to continue with the Leg Cramps med as it contained quinine. I am about 10 lbs overweight and normally walk 3-5 miles a day (wearing good athletic shoes). I was awakened 2 days ago with the WORST leg cramp ever and my leg is still very sore and I'm at wits end.

I'd appreciate any advice from anyone who suffers the same problem!

47 replies

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Anyone suffer from chronic leg cramps (Charlie Horses)? I've had this problem [View all] LibGranny Jan 2013 OP

Walk bare foot. The good athletic shoes turn out not to be so good for everyone Lionessa Jan 2013 #1

I used to use full strength quinine and it worked ProgressiveProfessor Jan 2013 #2

"quinine" left-of-center2012 Jan 2016 #21

my hubby is a pharmacist and said the herion thing isnt the reason but... samnsara Sep 2017 #34

Mine Comes From MS ProfessorGAC Feb 2013 #3

For some cramps, it's a deficiency of magnesium. Also, from your name, I get that you are maybe Nay Feb 2013 #4

same age group and thats what my dr said...that and drink samnsara Sep 2017 #36

Are you hydrating enough The empressof all Feb 2013 #5

I find I get them if I don't drink enough water. TDale313 Sep 2017 #35

Yes. I would start with dehydration. Good suggestion. Lilyhoney Sep 2017 #42

Magnesium and vitamin D ohheckyeah Feb 2013 #6

I second the Magnesium and Vitamin D hedgehog Feb 2014 #10

I too have found help with these. MuseRider Sep 2017 #33

Do you get enough to drink? Particularly in winter it is easy to get dehydrated. MADem Feb 2013 #7

actually i used to take water pills once in awhile and... samnsara Sep 2017 #37

Digging deep..... MADem Sep 2017 #43

Any problems with vertigo or dizziness ? If not arthritisR_US Nov 2013 #8

wrestless legs, toes, calf cramps.. Herself Feb 2014 #9

I also had this problem, which is now gone (?) b/c wordpix Feb 2014 #11

If you take a statin, it may be the cause. I had horrible leg cramps Nay Feb 2014 #12

Cuprum Metallicum made by Boiron... TeeYiYi Feb 2014 #13

The Internet can assist you in researching Answers oldwizard Apr 2014 #14

Canada still sells quinine and its OTC... samnsara Sep 2017 #38

I get them pretty often fadedrose May 2014 #15

I had killer cramps, including torso cramps Ineeda May 2014 #16

mine are never forgotten... the muscle in my leg stays sore for days after wards samnsara Sep 2017 #39

See my post #16 Ineeda May 2014 #17

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2015 #18

spray cramp area with magnesium oil and you cramp will ease immediately-spray into your palm and rub akamushi Dec 2015 #19

Yes! Mag oil directly on cramps takes them away in like 2 minutes! fierywoman Sep 2017 #29

Magnesium oil works great for me - usually in about 10 seconds. Patterson Jun 2021 #45

For quick relief Dalai_1 Jan 2016 #20

i have heard this too...didnt work for me...but the night i did it maybe samnsara Sep 2017 #40

I had been plagued with nighttime leg cramps for years. RebelOne Sep 2016 #22

I'm gonna try it and I'll report back. mackerel Nov 2016 #23

While out yesterday I picked up a bottle of Vit. E mackerel Nov 2016 #24

I used to get horrific charley horses oppressedproletarian Sep 2017 #25

Water, drink more. I have the exact same problem, exact same story Eliot Rosewater Sep 2017 #26

Two common causes are insufficient potassium (eat bananas and tomatoes) and dehydration. tblue37 Sep 2017 #27

Bananas. C_U_L8R Sep 2017 #28

Drink more water WhiteTara Sep 2017 #30

Make sure your potassium supplement is prescription strength. Jane Austin Sep 2017 #31

i have had these for years and nothing stops them.... samnsara Sep 2017 #32

also the one thing i have noticed from the posts is to do... samnsara Sep 2017 #41

Just a thought here PennyK Sep 2017 #44

Epsom's salt is magnesium. Patterson Jun 2021 #46

I suffered with foot and leg cramps for years. Even my doctor couldn't help me but after scouring Stardust Oct 2021 #47