leg cramps

[richarddale]

I am type 1 diabetic and get the most dreadful leg cramps especially in the night. I maintain good sugar levels mostly and have good results from my podiatry check. What is the best way to deal with the cramps ?

 

[zand]

I find a magnesium supplement stops me getting cramps. Others on this site use potassium instead. Is it possible to get your levels of these checked?

Oh and welcome to the forum

 

[Deleted Account]

Two thoughts -

Cramps are often a symptom of low salt.
When it has been hot, our body needs more salt because we sweat it out.

If I wake in the night with cramps, it is usually a symptom of high BG. They may have been fine during the day but for some reason they occasionally rise during the night. Whenever I wake, I try to push myself out of the fog enough to take a BG reading and treat the number. This usually resolves the leg cramps.

 

[librarising]

I use a magnesium spray, as I believe it's better absorbed by the body transdermally. I used to get cramps.
Geoff

 

[Chook]

I'm with @zand on this - I also take a magnesium supplement for leg cramps.

 

[librarising]

@richarddale Lots of recommendations for magnesium. An added benefit to taking magnesium is that it is the no.1 supplement for heart health.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/07/25/magnesium-for-heart-health.aspx
or simply google 'magnesium and heart health'. To me it's a no-brainer.
Geoff

 

[pusspower]

It's not a reply it's a query. I suffer badly from night cramps. I've cut down salt because of high blood pressure, I've tried quinnine in drink and tablet, no effect, what can I do. I have T2 diabetes and on tablets.

 

[Resurgam]

I tried various things for cramps. When I get one it is usually in the middle of the night and I take a drink of water, as it seems that I need water at night - but I do put a tiny pinch of salt into my coffee in hot weather as I do not use salt in cooking or on food and seem to need it It is only a tiny amount but it makes the difference.