leg cramps

[susanrnz]

Hi, sorry to be asking all my questions at once (not trying to hog the listings!) but I started low carbing in April last year and over recent months in particular, have often had leg/ankle cramps, especially at night (half asleep, stretch legs, ouch!). Any ideas what I can take to help? The cramp-eze pills in the chemist cost way too much - there must be a mineral or something I'm missing?

(I was in a second hand book store one day and saw a book called 'Cramps'. Yay, I thought, but it turned out to be period-related! Made me laugh, anyway.)
thanks

[Rosebud]

Hi Susan, :wave:
Leg cramps do seem to occur on this WOE unless you take some supplements. All that weeing takes various minerals and salts with it.
I think that potassium and magnesium are the main "anti crampers."
My SO had a couple of nasty cramps soon after we started low carbing and it made me get a bit more serious with the supps.
Potassium can be taken as a tablet such as Blackmores Potassium Compound but we've recently switched to "No Salt" which is a salt substitute found in the supermarket for a tiny fraction of the cost. It's strange for me to get back into the habit of using salt, I hadn't used any for years.
Anyway, check out your supermarket for a potassium salt substitute was all I meant to say!
Magnesium is best taken with calcium in a 2:1 Cal: Mag ratio.
I (we) take a 500:250 tab morning and night. I'm not sure that that is necessarily the best or only way to do it, but sir has had no more cramps.
Something else that might give you more advoce is to go to the search icon at the top right of the page and search on "leg cramps."
Good luck with it, matey.

:rose:Rosebud:rose:

[susanrnz]

That's two helpful replies you've given me so far! I'm so glad I've found this site. I'll check those things out.
I actually had blood tests done this morning which will show if I am low on potassium, in which case the doc will subscribe some (she said it can be dangerous taking it if it's not low) and in the meantime, she's given me quinine to try and advised doing some stretching exercises (pulling your foot upwards) for a few minutes - she said it might act as a preventative. (Passing this on in case it helps someone else)
BTW - I'm really getting into this web jargon now, I know WTF thanks to this forum, plus WOE - what does SO stand for? (I know it must be your partner/husband, but it's got me stumped!)
cheers
Susan

[denise]

Have you read the dr's book i have found this a valuable source of information and he recommends taking all your vits this is important according to it .

[Rosebud]

Hi Susan,
SO = significant other.
DH = dear husband.
About the potassium, does your doctor know about/ agree with your low carbing?
She is right about taking potassium if you don't need it, but if you are getting leg cramps, it sounds very much as though you do need it. (But not in the amounts prescribed for patients on diuretics for example)
Standard potassium tablets prescribed tend to be sugar coated. Also they are, from memory, about 600 mg, the Blackmores are 75 mg. The amount I sprinkle on my food comes to (very) roughly 4 or 500mg/day, if that.
Don't forget the magnesium.
Quinine tablets are the standard tablets prescribed by docs for leg cramps. I truly don't think that they will help as much as magnesium and potassium (in small amounts ;)).
Stretching is a great idea, I ain't gonna knock that!
I do hope that whosever advice you take (this isn't just my advice; it's stuff I got from this site) your cramps settle soon.

:rose:Rosebud:rose:

[susanrnz]

thanks again, Rosebud.
When I find my SO, I'll know what to say now!
Yes, my doctor was great :thup: (so was my original, but he's away in England for a year.) She was very interested, asked what I ate for lunches in particular (I think to pass on to a low carber in the surgery) and asked for my website to pass on to others! She's also keen for brochures when we get them. So, the word slowly spreads!
I'll wait for the blood test results first (may get the pills cheaper!) but don't intend to let the situation go on. Thanks for caution re quinine - can't do any harm, but will check out what you suggest.
:thup:

[denise]

"Another problem that people occaisonally experience is LEG CRAMPS at night.This is due to rapid excretion of CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM and POTASSIUM, almost invariably indicates that the dieter has not followed my reccomendations on vitamin and mineral supplementation(see chapter 22)." this is from the dr atkins new diet revolution book this may help. The reccommended daily requirement of calcium is: Adults 19 - 50 years 1,000 milligrams/day Adults 51+ years 1,200 milligrams/day be of help to you

[Bloom]

I get ratty jumpy legs that feel like they are about to cramp. they drive me crazy and I wish i could take them off. I was told it was Calcium that was lacking.
I found raising the bottom end of the bed a couple of inches stopped it from happening in bed.

[Frances]

Hi everyone.........

I find the supplement thing very confusing. Can anyone give me a rundown of what you take and when you take them. I haven't read Dr Atkins new book but found it hard to understand because he use his own products. Also When I've looked at the vitamin bottle some combinations are confusing.............

So I'm probably sounding lazy but if I could follow what you experts are doing it would be great.

Frances

[Rosebud]

Hi Frances. :wave:
I think as a minimum you need a multivitamin, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
Make sure the multivite has no added sugar (read the fine print).
Calcium and magnesium should be in a 2:1 Cal: Mag ratio. Most people should take 1000:500/ daily. I take 1500 calcium, but I am post menopausal. (Yep, I'm ooold. :D ) For potassium, you can either take one or two tablets daily, such as Blackmores Potassium Compound or choose as I do the cheaper option, a potassium salt replacement such as "No Salt." Available in supermarkets.
I also take chromium and L-Glutamine to ward off those nasty sweet cavings. They have definitely made a difference.
Other stuff: I also take fish oil caps and vitamin E. I mainly take the fish oil (omega-3 1000mg) for my arthritis (told ya I'm old ;) ) and cholesterol but if you read Atkins again, he recommends taking EFAs (essential fatty acids) and that's what fish oil is.
And there you have it.
All the best to you, Frances.

:rose:Rosebud:rose:

[matt1sam]

Hi,
Just to add my bit!
Watch what brand of supplements you buy.I bought 'Herron,Calcium Plus', which stopped my leg cramps overnight but also put me out of ketosis due to the sugar,starch content not listed on the bottle.Also, I have found drinking natural mineral water or soda water as well as my usual tap water has helped stopped the cramping which was a really big problem for me.
Teena. :wave:

[Wendye]

It is important to get the supplements you need.
The Protein Power Plan recommends chelated potassium -you get these tablets at the health food stores - it is better absorbed.
i take Alexander Formula 6 - which has lots of good stuff - I feel great on them.
Check with the doc and the health food store - if it's a good one they will adivse you well. make sure they know your a low carber.
Wendye