Charley Horses

[Deleted User] · August 2014

Anyone else suffering from these? The past two nights in a row I woke up to pee, stretched my legs before getting out of bed, and was hit with the most excruciating charley horses in my right calf! I honestly never got one in my life before this week. They frickin' hurt, man! What can I do to prevent them? Something? Anything! [-O<

rosalie12 · August 2014

Drink as much water as you can! I've had them several night (they wake me up in the middle of the night sometime) and also in the mornings. They cause a rude awakening, that's for sure.

vrj0522 · August 2014

I just had one last night that left me sore this morning. I hadn't had one in about a month so I'd relaxed about what I was doing and that was clearly a mistake.

Try to make sure you stay hydrated, lots of water. Bananas and gatorade before bed are also good. And avoid stretching your legs with your feet pointed because that will bring them on quickly. Instead try flexing your feet to stretch your legs.

erinchrisitne424 · August 2014

I just had one last night that left me sore this morning. I hadn't had one in about a month so I'd relaxed about what I was doing and that was clearly a mistake.

Try to make sure you stay hydrated, lots of water. Bananas and gatorade before bed are also good. And avoid stretching your legs with your feet pointed because that will bring them on quickly. Instead try flexing your feet to stretch your legs.

This. Flex you feet before and whikenyou stretch it helps greatly in preventing them when stretching. Also bananas help a lot

just one of the perks of being pregnant.

griffers · August 2014

I have the same issue. They get so bad that I'm sore for days. This is basically a repeat of what others have said but it's good advice. Eat a banana a day, stay hydrated, and when all else fails flex your toes towards your head. Seriously it works and I'm pissed I went my whole life up until recently not knowing this!

baabybud · August 2014

I woke up with the worst one last weekend, my leg finally isn't sore anymore it took 4 days of DH giving me leg smages and lots of stretching

victoria+james · August 2014

Whenever I stretch my legs I make sure I'm flexing my feet instead of pointing my toes. I also try to do a few leg stretches before going to bed which seems to help.

MrsL2B · August 2014

I also take magnesium at bedtime and sleep with compression sleeves on my calves. That seems to help, but I still get the cramps. I have to hop out of bed as fast as possible and put all my weight on the affected leg and straighten it fully before my cramps will stop.

Sexy5suga · August 2014

I just had a cramp in my leg and I swear it came from the depths of hell. I am screamed in my sleep, I actually forgot how bad they could be and how to deal with them. I looked at DH like "fix this or die" with lots of stretching it passed but omg that was a rude awaking. I can feel it just beneath the surface so I'm too scared to go back to sleep. I'll go get some bananas and water then.

noellemari · August 2014

Water, bananas, magnesium. And flex your feet instead of pointing your toes when you stretch. That has helped me! They suck and sometimes if I get a really bad one my calf is sore for a little bit afterward.

CNJ4EVA · August 2014

Pregnancy Charley horses are THE WORST! Closest comparable pain to contractions, IMO! Like @griffers, for me the soreness lasts for days

As PP's have said, stay hydrated, eat bananas, and flex your feet to stretch, never point your toes. I've started eating bananas as a preventative measure. I've only had one Charley horse this time, whereas I got one about every other or every third day of third tri with my DD.

DaniGrace89 · August 2014

Woke up to one yesterday. Awful! My leg is still sore from it!!!

bumpuser10309732 · August 2014

bleh I get them sometimes in the middle of the night too. The worst! Usually if I get up and go pee it helps. I'm going to try flexing instead of pointing my toes though. The problem is you roll over and stretch and you're not really thinking "how are my feet?"

[Deleted User] · August 2014

Thanks for the advice! I don't eat bananas so I thought maybe my diet has been lacking in potassium (besides just my prenatal). I tried choking a banana down his morning but could only get like 3/4 of the way through! So gross... :-& Guess I'll just have to go with the water & Gatorade plan!

Maggie6424 · August 2014

I figured out that if I flex my foot rather than point my toes, I don't get them. It takes a conscious effort for me to do that rather than stretch out, but I haven't gotten one since I stopped doing that.

pattygrazioso · August 2014

I've been getting them off and on for several weeks. Notice they come on when I start stretching in bed. Get them in my feet too! Horrible

ss265 · August 2014

Coconut water has more potassium than bananas and you can get flavored versions as well. I like the Vita Coco brand - most mainstream grocery stores have coconut water but it might be in the specialty aisle. Great way to stay hydrated plus get enough potassium.

DanielleB27 · August 2014

Sometimes for me if I get them in the middle of the night, getting out of bed quickly and standing on the leg that is affected will calm it down. I also make sure to drink tons of water!

turtlewifey · August 2014

I've had a bunch of them over the past few weeks - definitely not fun!

I find that stretching before bed really helps with prevention, in addition to hydration throughout the day.

Want a personalized experience?

Charley Horses

Re: Charley Horses

Choose Another Board

Search Boards