Excruciating Leg Cramps!

dstceo41

For 2 nights now I have been waking up screaming from charlie horses in my legs.  Both times I have scared my poor husband silly. My Dr. gave me a sheet of common pregnancy ailments and leg cramps were one of them, but I did not expect this. 

Anyone else experience this?  What do you do besides rub the cramp out?

irubyou2

I haven't had them too badly since I've been pregnant, but I've had them in the past and know what you mean.  Here are a few tips: do NOT try to point your toes... it makes your calf muscles contract even more.  Instead, flex your ankles (try to point your toes toward your knee) to try to stretch that muscle out.  My massage therapy instructor recommended a swift smack to your calf- sounds weird, but it helps to interrupt the nerve impulses, and actually does help. 

Good Luck!

aprl0905

Me! ?I agree...they are terrible. ?I had them with the 1st pregnancy and just started at week 20 with this pregnancy. ?I don't have them every night but when I do have them my calves are sore for 2 - 3 days afterwards. ?I haven't found anything to help them or alleviate the pain either.

Julia-Henry

I've heard that calcium, potassium, and magnesium can help - milk and bananas. as well as that pointing-leg thingy. they hurt like crazy!

NewMama2010

I was getting these same cramps; not quite as intense, but very uncomfortable. My sister (a nurse and mother of two) said it is most likely from dehydration or lack of calcium/potassium. She told me to drink more water and milk and eat bananas. I took her advice and haven't had them lately.

hoshicat

I didn't know that leg cramps were a part of this! I missed that one, but woke up screaming this morning and ended up in tears from the pain. Toes pointed up at the knee help stretch the muscle, DH had to help me do it as I couldn't move my foot though! Yikes, good to know that I might be seeing more of these rather than getting them as unpleasant surprises. Also in reply to above, I drink a ton of water and still got it, but maybe the calcium/potassium thing might work.

calalily416

I have also had them several nights lately and have done the same thing- woken myself up screaming.  It is SO painful.  I think DH thinks I am crazy (and I know the dog does) but it is ridiculous and won't stop, no matter what I try.  Then the whole next day my entire calf feels like I have pulled a muscle.  I also heard it is related to potassium and the way the body is metabolizing vitamins/minerals to accomodate baby.  I hope they stop soon!