REST CRAMP

[echokilo]

Can anyone help with the cause of and possible treatment/prevention of night cramp? This is happening in the thigh muscle particularly. TIA

[Eve]

You could try tonic water, natural source of quinnine.

I get horribly restless legs (maybe inflammatory arthritis related) and find keeping my legs cool help. I resorted to wearing tubigrips for a while though was easier as it's my lower legs but it definitely seemed to help getting the problem out of the habit maybe?

I read somewhere that you are supposed to try and let the cramp out itself rather than trying to fight it but easier said than done!

[Sqad]

Thigh.....odd place for night cramps.Are you on any medication? thyroid tablets for example?

[echokilo]

Thanks for your answer Jenna - will tryt he tonic water. And no Sqab, no medication ......

[Sqad]

OK...I agree with Jenna....give the tonic water a try.

If it continues, despite the quinine, then see your GP and perhaps he will suggest some blood tests of your thyroid status.

[echokilo]

Thanks - are quinine tablets only available on prescription in the UK?

[Sqad]

No idea.......go to the chemist and try and buy some.

[Goodsoulette]

I used to get night cramps and was prescribed quinine (in the uk) I can;t say I noticed any difference and the doctor told me that there was nowhere near enough quinine in tonic water to help.

Stretching your legs out before sleep, making sure you drink enough and good positioning of the legs, use pillows to prop the legs up, all seem to be beneficial to our residents that have suffered repeatedly.

[Goodsoulette]

where in the thigh is it as well? is it at the back?

[mrs_overall]

My sister suffers horribly from restless legs and night cramps.
She takes 2 prescription meds - Mirapexin (Pramipexole) for restless legs, and Clonazepam for cramp.
She also bought a leg raising wedge shaped thingy from Lidl (less than a tenner) which she says really helps.

[carlton23]

Quinine tabs are the answer to my night cramps also.

[echokilo]

Thanks for your answers everyone - the thigh cramp is on the inside muscle.

[TheOtherHalf]

I used to get terrible bouts of Restless legs at night. It used ro drive my OH crazy. He said they were like spasms at almost on timely intervals. He would count in between each spasm and then knew when it was due. I cant believe it myself. But I dont seem to get them any more for some reason. Dont really know why. Perhaps its a dietery thing as I am now on a diet and drink plenty of water, so whether this is the rerason I dont know.

[Eve]

I wonder if better hydration is part of the reason I don't suffer quite as much anymore. I drink diluted cordial by the pint glass at home but used to drink a lot more coffee than I used to. I'd start the day with a venti Starbucks, drink loads of coffee at work then often after work would meet or wait for friends in a coffee shop. Always used to go sit out with a coffee at the weekend too. Nowadays I just have a small filter from Pret, drink far less coffee in the day and try and opt for more tea more (drink it weak and milky) if I go in a coffee shop evenings or weekends, don't tend to drink it after work anymore or opt for tea. I drink more water now too as we have a proper cold water filter thing at work.

Could be a factor in mine improving!

[jamesnan]

My husband always gets cramp in the thigh if he gets it at all, however, when he eats a diet with bananas regularly then that seems to cure the problem.
A tip I read, which seems to work, is stand on a cold floor if you get cramp, and that seems to do the trick and relaxes the leg somewhat. (He usually stands in the bathroom)