Need Help. Waking Up With Leg Cramps

[Jade-]

Fot the past few weeks I have been waking up a few times per night with my legs so tightly squeezed together that it's causing leg cramps. It takes awhile to relax and get the cramping to go away. During the day my legs, hips and lower back hurt from it. I realize this is probably related to my trauma, but I really need to figure out a way to get it to stop. Any suggestions?

 

[a3a2]

I, too, have had this problem. My T suggests it is from not "running" from my trauma as I typically would. She suggested drinking selzer water which contains quinine (and tastes nasty). I found an over the counter supplement which contains quinine and take it occasionally. I have found doing some stretches several times a day helps.

 

[Tinyflame]

Tonic water contains quinine but I'm not sure at what level.
Calcium deficiencies can contribute.

 

[gdf]

I don't have the reaction as related to trauma, just plain spasms sometimes. I find that calcium, magnesium and potassium being low cause general cramping/spasms. A pillow between your knees might help a little but that could also feel awkward. I hope you can find a solution soon. PTSD always feels better when you're sleeping, eating and feeling well physically.

Good luck--Gina

 

[James B.]

Have had muscle horrendous leg muscle cramps, and involuntary cramps in the arms. What Gina has suggested is I would suggest too, foods high in those things, and perhaps cut back on diruetics (caffine). Also, my number one choice for killing muscle pain is the spa - a 103 to 105 degree hot tub. Mixing this with cold water immersion, better yet. You won't believe the short term relief.

For whatever the reason, your leg muscles are being subjected to a kind of 'overuse' - this is (generally) a sports medicine thing, so related google searches may yield other advice.

Muscle cramps are nothing to fool around with, it lead to full-on muscle spasm (lock up) which is very painful and generally treated with muscle relaxant injection.

But, if you want/need relief right now, find a spa or fitness center that has a good hot tub and get in it. When your body hits that hot water (I mean hot enough to make entry a gradual thing) bam - pain gone. no kidding.

Good luck.

 

[cherryblossom]

Cramps can also be caused by dehydration, so make sure you are drinking enough fluid during the day.

 

[James B.]

Bingo, water too - it seems clear none of this is going to effect the reasons you are (involuntarily) flexing your legs at night. But you can combat the condition it's causing.

Bascially, you are using your legs on and off all day, then flexing them very hard at night, ok - overuse. Keep in mind that when muscles are used hard like this your body is crating a highly acidic state. Excess lactic acid build up.

This is where the strong capilary action of hot/cold water immersion comes in - literally forcing your blood vessels to expand (hot) and contract (cold) and pump the excess acids out of your system.

Also, if your cramps and related muscle soreness is high, your body may be sending a message to your brain saying "mobility impaired", and that can lead to an anxiety uptick, exacerbating the whole deal.

I am a devout adherant of the hot tub spa, cycling through multiple hot/cold immersions many times a week - and, I make sure to dunk my noggin in there so it can benefit too, very very relaxing.

Take care Jadebear, so sorry you are being plauged by this stuff.

 

[James B.]

One more note before I pack my bag and head to the spa...

The main mistake I have made in my hot/cold water therapy is not drinking enough water. If I get home and my urine is anything darker than almost clear, then I am - in no uncertain terms - experiencing (in a matter of dergees) dehydration. Urine must be nealry or completely clear in color, always.

Go ahead and look up symtoms of dehydration. I get mental confusion and difficulty making decisions. Factor in anxiety disorder? Not good. This is true, in a matter of degrees, for everyone. Reason I *had* to quit caffine? I could *not* with its strong diuretic, effectively keep my system hydrated. No way, especially in the summer.

Again, urine should be, according to the best sports trainers on the planet, completely clear at all times. This is the ideal to shoot for. For me, it really makes a difference. We are, after all, mostly water.

 

[James B.]

Wait, I should have said, as clear as possible prior to an event (endurance)
with light straw urine color as a standing average, yes, pretty sure that's correct.

Have heard of people getting sick from too much water, sounds hard to believe,
but have been assured this is true, FYI.

Why do I feel like *life* with an anxiety disorder *is* an endurance event ?

:-)

Ok, I'm done now. Promise lol
take care everyone...
James B.

 

[Lexa]

Dehydration leads to depleted potassium in your body. Drink gatorade after the spa and eat bananas as well. Low potassium levels can cause lethal arrythmias in your heart as well. The cramps are a warning sign. Hope this helps, I have heart problems and this is advice my cardiologist has given me.

 

[Lauren]

All of the above have helped me Jade. I too suffer from cramps, sometimes my entire body spasming, very much like fribromyalgia. Physical therapy really helped me a lot. Some of my muscle problems are due to spinal stenosis, but I believe most of my pain is due to stress. Stretching and exercise are wonderful ways to not only reduce mental stress but relax the muscles also.

My T told me this week that stress causes a depletion of calicum, magnesium and potassium and recommended that I start taking supplements. I know that dehydration can cause muscle problems but didn't realize the extent of it so thank you James! I definitely do not drink enough water and too much coffee...which in itself can cause tension.

Your post has made me want to take better care of myself physically Jade. Thanks!

 

[Jade-]

Thanks for all the tips and advice everyone. I've added more calcium to my diet and it seems to be helping some.

I really think alot of the reason I've been having the leg cramps is from the nightmares of being raped. When I was being raped at 7, I tried so hard to keep my legs together. So maybe if I can work through this, the cramps will go away for good.