Calf’s and toencramps

(Steve) #1

The last 4 nights I have been woken up with cramps in my calve and toes. I always drink lots of water and before bed I take apple cider vinegar pill and magnesium pill. The last two days took a magnesium pill when woke up and before bed . I also just started back at gym . 30 min on elliptical and a couple machines and have increased my water but still
Cramping and muscles feel tight in legs

(Robin) #2

Hello, fellow leg/foot cramper! I’ve been dealing with this off and on for months. I will think I found the solution (more magnesium, D3/K2, more salt, less caffeine, more water), and then they come back. I am getting lab work done that will include a look at electrolytes and enzymes (thanks to advice from a sage on here… there are many), then will see if there are deficiencies. If not, I will give up my statin for a couple months, as that may very well be the cause. I have a history of statins causing leg cramps, and I got back on them the same time I went keto. So… hang in there. Try more salt. A lot of people drink a glass of salty water before bed. Bleach, but if works, it’s worth it. One issue is that we can change something and see three nights with no cramps and believe we have found the cure. Then they come back. One suggestion… try one thing at a time, so you’ll know what’s working or not. And think about lab work. Good luck!

(Steve) #3

Thanks , I don’t drink coffee and was food for 7 or 8’weeks then the last week . Again legs still
Feel so tight

#4

How much mag are you taking? Take’s about 800mg a day to stop mine when that starts up and about 400mg to keep it away once it stops.

(Steve) #5

I will check , is it better 800 at one time , before bed or in morning and other half at night

(Laurie) #6

Do you stretch after exercising?

(Steve) #7

Yes before and after . Where I live just open gyms 5!days ago and you need appt and can only stay for 55 min. No showers etc

(Central Florida Bob ) #8

Maybe I’m the outlier, but for my toe cramps, more potassium helps. I take a 100 mg Mg Glycinate morning and night and haven’t messed with that dose in years, but the potassium salt (potassium chloride), 1/4 tsp in a glass of water once a day helps. I vaguely remember a couple of days maybe two years ago, where I needed two doses of that to help.

For what it’s worth, hope it helps, etc.

(Steve) #9

I asked pharmacist about salt pills and he mentioned that but said you need a prescription . Just looked at my magnesium and it’s 165 grams per pill so will up my dose and see if that helps

(linda) #10

A topical magnesium spray (over the counter) works wonders since the magnesium is directly and rapidly absorbed into the skin thus reducing the cramps! grrrr …nothing worse than those muscle cramps!!

(Steve) #11

Never heard of that , is it available in Canada

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #12

Salt tablets require a prescription? Are you sure? In my part of Connecticut you can get them over the counter.

(Steve) #13

I’m in ontario Canada, they didn’t call them salt pills . He called them another name. Sodium chloride . He may have made a mistake as I will look today at Walmart but thought it was strange

(Alex ) #14

surely you could get the same result with an epsom salt bath? Magnesium Sulphate…

(Laurie) #15

Somewhere on this forum people have mentioned that you can make your own magnesium spray or magnesium “oil” (a more concentrated version) out of epsom salt and water.

I believe it about the salt pills. I used to buy saline solution (.9% sodium chloride in water) over the counter. But in Oregon they wouldn’t sell it without a prescription.

(linda) #16

Perhaps!
But not for me == Epsom salt bath is diluted. Even with a high concentration ratio of water to salts doesn’t appear to have the punch as a concentrated Pure Magnesium Spray. I’ve used Life-flo. It’s pure magnesium chloride and works right after contact for symptom relief.

#17

I’ve suffered a lot with cramps, also on my upper body. I’ve tried supplements, but it didn’t help. I suspect supplements are a very poor substitute for food. So, after much consideration, I’ve added carbs just enough until my cramps were under control. I’m at 30g net carbs for that reason.

In the end, I’ve come to think that if your way of eating is such that you need a lot of pills, then there’s something wrong with it. People criticize big pharma. I think the supplement industry isn’t much better.

(Steve) #18

I went and bought some different magnesium pills. I could only get 165mg or 500mg . I bought the 500. Took2 the first night and no cramp took 2 Sunday night no cramp . Will try one pill tonight . Also read to much is not good . On then web it says over 350 a day is too much but are we different since we are doing carnivore and getting less in our food ?

(Robin) #19

Yes, we need more on low carb. And I have learned (on here) that dairy and coffee can delete magnesium for some. I take approx 800 a day. Powder form in water. I add salt and stevia drops. I actually look forward to it. It feels “quenching”, So I guess my body knows.

#20

Unfortunately, the cause of muscle cramps is unknown. If dehydration and electrolytes were the main cause, then why would only certain muscles cramp. Why does pickle juice work instantly for some? The body could not absorb the sodium or the liquid fast enough. Stretching also works quickly. There are different types of Mg. I personally use Mg citrate (Natures Calm). I find it stops a certain type of cramp. Had some success with Mg spray. The latest research seems to indicate that muscle cramps and soreness start when your nerves become hyper-excited and blast your tired muscles with repetitive, uncontrollable signals. I have experienced severe cramping in my quad muscles. I have been hospitalized and hooked up to an IVs due to cramps. Seen 4 specialists, and still no real answer as to the cause. I think keto and coffee do play a role in my case.

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