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How do you prevent leg cramps?

Alicia R

Well-Known Member
Messages
72
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Before I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, I remember getting really bad leg cramps (in my calves and toes) at night. It was so bad, I would jump out of bed screaming! It took forever for it to go away; the the next morning, I was sore. I was always afraid to go to sleep at night because of the leg cramps, but didn't learn until just recently that leg cramps is one of the very first signs of diabetes. Over the years I learned how to breathe at night to prevent cramps from happening; and I made sure not to yawn and stretch at the same time -- that brought it on! For a while, everything was OK, but lately, I'm getting them again. Anybody else get leg cramps at night? How do you prevent them? I'm even thinking about wearing compression stalkings to bed, but that's not very sexy, is it? What do YOU do about leg cramps at night? Thanks so much!
 
Drink plenty of fluids, including some that contain electrolytes.
 
Spiker said:
Drink plenty of fluids, including some that contain electrolytes.
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Really, that's all it takes? Cool. Now all I have to do is look up why! Any idea why that is? Please let me know! No one ever talks about how to prevent leg cramps -- they normally talk about how to treat them once you have them. But OK, drink lots of water -- check! Thanks!
 
My father always swore a potato in the bed worked wonders! I always remember seeing this potato down at the end of the bed and it had grown eyes on it (the potato, not the bed LOL)!
 
Pre diagnosed diabetics get them because they are typically chronically dehydrated.
 
Lesleywo said:
My father always swore a potato in the bed worked wonders! I always remember seeing this potato down at the end of the bed and it had grown eyes on it (the potato, not the bed LOL)!
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Are you kidding me? A potato?! What on earth?! Well, at least it made me laugh! No seriously, how would a potato help leg cramps? Does it ward them off or would he use it to rub his legs with when they're cramped? And how do you know for sure he was using it for leg cramps and not something else *kinky*? :-X LOL
 
Spiker said:
Pre diagnosed diabetics get them because they are typically chronically dehydrated.
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Oh, well, duh! My brain isn't working right today, sorry! That makes sense! I think I may still be dehydrated though, even with tight glucose control. My lips are always cracked and my skin is always so dry!
 
Alicia R said:
But OK, drink lots of water -- check! Thanks!
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Avoid excessive amounts of water, and make sure you get some electrolytes. Something like Gatorade, as it seems like you are in North America. Do they do a diet version?
 
Spiker said:
Avoid excessive amounts of water, and make sure you get some electrolytes. Something like Gatorade, as it seems like you are in North America. Do they do a diet version?
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The funny thing about Gatorade is it makes me thirsty! I know it's supposed to quench your thirst and replace lost electrolytes, but it's kind of like drinking salty water for me. Makes me want more instead of less. To tell you the truth, I stopped drinking Gatorade years ago, so I'm not sure whether or not they have a diet version. And yes, I'm in North America -- how perceptive of you! Was it my "accent" (or lack thereof) that gave it away? LOL
 
Well you can replace electrolytes from food, things like bananas, or sports drinks, but obviously watch out for the carbs, or you can get packets to make up electrolyte replacement drinks from a pharmacy.
 
Oh no now you've got me thinking! Maybe they just told me that to fob me off ...

He just used to have this potato between the sheets at the bottom of the bed. Dunno if it worked but I remember it was there for a while. Probably an old wives tale but my father was a person who would try anything if he thought it would make him feel better!
 

I don't blame him! I might actually try it, it can't hurt, right? In fact, I just looked it up. I found this quote at the Daily Mail, "
Only last week a patient told me that a relative recommended wrapping a potato and putting this in the bed as an extremely effective remedy, although I remain sceptical." And this quote at Dummies.com, "Some evidence suggests that a potassium deficiency may cause nocturnal leg cramps. Many sleepers have eliminated their cramps entirely just by making sure they eat plenty of potassium rich foods, including potatoes and corn." But, eating potatoes for the potassium and keeping one in bed at night is something entirely different! Maybe he thought his legs would magically absorb the potassium? Either way, there you go! LOL
 
Hi,
Try the potato, I would love to hear if it works .
I was getting Cramps often, and take a Potassium pill a few times a week, and the Cramps have gone They are available, often mixed with Magnesium and not to costly,.
Agree with @Spiker you could eat Bananas, they are high in potassium, but also in Carbs and Sugar
 
When the wife starts to get cramp, often in her hands she drinks a small can of Indian tonic water ... The quinine will help stop cramp. She is not diabetec .. And not on any medication .. Indian tonic water cannot be drank with with a long list of medication.. So if you want to try it, Google the recommendations first!
This is without the gin!
 
Tonic water or bitter lemon works for me. I also found that when I was Newcastle dieting it got worse due to the lack of sodium in my diet, so used a little salt/ soy sauce with my veg, you do need a small amount of salt in your diet
 
Quinine tablets from my gp works for me, one at bed time.
 
Lorraine deer said:
Quinine tablets from my gp works for me, one at bed time.
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Did you read this post in the previous thread in my post above?
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/leg-cramps.3737/page-2#post-408782
From BaliRob :-

I was on Quinine Sulphate for over 8 years for uncontrollable waist down body cramps. This was prescribed for me without any warning by a UK GP years after the drug had been banned in the US for causing the death of 90 users. Now I have chronic kidney disease (CKD) which has been attributed to over use of QS

Stick with MAGNESIUM and take salt on the tongue in emergency which should reduce the cramp within about 20 minutes or less.
 
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