When I stretch, I always get a leg cramp

[Cordelia]

I LOVE to stretch before getting out of bed in the morning but I have to remind myself NOT to do this or I'll have an awful leg/foot cramp!   Does anybody else have this? 

[Sue]

That is exactly what happens to me lol - I do get awful leg cramps during the night sometimes, but every time I stretch my legs in the morning my right foot goes into spasms .... ouch!
I take magnesium which helps a little....

[adairpete]

My legs (calves actually) do that, too. Usually means I'm dehydrated. Flexing my feet relieves  it (pointing my toes toward me).

[deniferfer]

Oh my gosh! Yes I get that all the time, mostly my in calves. It would hurt so bad, I wake up almost screaming.

[pitagory]

me too and then I have this after pain that last a while lol

[Cordelia]

Ugh! Its annoying!           Something I used to love doing, but can't do anymore because of that risk of pain.   Yup, the pain lasts quite awhile afterwards for me, too!

Yup, I get my cramp in the calves too!!!!!!! The very same place!

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one!

[willowtreewren]

Since dehydration can be a cause of leg cramps, this puts you in a double whammy. I'm so sorry. I've been through it and I know how painful it is.

 

Aleta

[Deanne]

It's either the calves or ankles for me, usually in my left leg. It feels like my ankle is going to break off sometimes. Do you use tonic water? My neph suggested it and it eliminates the cramps for me.

[Whamo]

I get cramps in my calves too.  Usually it's near the end of my dialysis treatment.  But I can get them on the treadmill or even wake up to them in bed.  But the really annoying cramps, to me, anyways, are the ones I get in my hands and fingers.  I hate those the most.   

[Cordelia]

Thanks everyone              You all are so sweet with your advice/suggestions.

I've never tried tonic water. I really should start.

Oh migosh, I've never gotten them while working out on a treadmill. That must be awful, Whamo!

[iketchum]

Cramping in the feet and ankles is the norm for me. I do cramp in the calves and use toes to nose to relieve them. Three times they have taken too much fluid too fast and i cramped from my toes to my ribs, all at once, made me pass out.

[Riverwhispering]

My GFR is 12 and not on dialysis yet.   Just FYI

I read here about severe leg cramps and someone said dehydration so since I read that I have been drinking a lot of water at night before I go to bed.  The cramping like you described almost never happens since I stared doing that.  I do however wake up every couple hours to use the bathroom a little but can usually fall right back asleep.  I swear by water if you can do it.   

[Cordelia]

I remember the horrible leg cramps I got right before I started dialysis. They were always at night.   They would jolt me up outta bed they were that bad.     

[conchman]

Same here, I felt I did not have much to add because I am not on the big "D" yet.  Yup...when I stretch I get the same leg cramps.  I start to stretch and all of a sudden I know that... I "must stop now!  Also like Cordelia, they can wake me up.  The minute I know I have one when I am awakened, I know it's a comin'.  By the time it's over I feel like I could just 

The leg then can be sore for a few days...

[Joe]

I typically get them in my thighs, and it's a real pain (pun intended  ) I just have to remember not to do that stretching thing no matter how much I want to.

[Cordelia]

Oh gosh, one time I had that lingering pain from a bad cramp last for days.

I just wonder if they will ever go away with having a transplant down the road or am I doomed to have these cramps off and on for the rest of my days?         

[big777bill]

 Lasix or low potassium levels can also be a cause of cramping. I was on high doses of lasix before my liver Tx and the cramping was awful. It wasn't specific to any area either. My hands seemed to get it worst.

[Cordelia]

Hmmmmm my potassium levels are ok, but they could be a little on the lower side.    I never knew potassium levels could have something to do with it.

[Cordelia]

It worked! I pulled my toes back and when the cramp came on this am before getting out of bed.  It really helped!                    

I did it right when I felt the cramp coming on and it was such a relief not to have a full-blown cramp!

[MomoMcSleepy]

me too! Usually my right foot, and it can happen just from just  moving it wrong  after laying on the couch.  I NEVER stretch in the morning, haven't for years for the same reason.  It makes sense that it would be worse in the morning, if dehydration causes it.  Thought it was just me, thanks for the post.. Happened last night, I've been sick and laid on the couch a couple of hours.  Haven't been working out like i should be  :embarrassed:


I press on my foot where it's tightest and that helps, or just try to move my foot in the opposite direction of cramp?  Hard to remember without doing it, but I'm good at stopping them once I feel the first sign of it.  I used to get calf cramps as a kid, bad Charlie horses that woke me up.  But I didn't have poor kidney function then, it was like an adolescence thing I grew out of.

[sparklelady]

I, too, used to get horrible cramps, especially in the middle of the night. I had a transplant in last year, haven't had a cramp since. 

[Cordelia]

I, too, used to get horrible cramps, especially in the middle of the night. I had a transplant in last year, haven't had a cramp since. 

That's awesome you haven't had a cramp since your transplant! You give me hope!               

[firehousegirl]

Hmph! On Saturday I was at dialysis and I tried to stretch and kept getting bad cramps in my legs and toes.  I will be asking the nurse about tomorrow when I go back

[Cordelia]

I don't do any stretching while on D. I know I'm in for trouble if I try.

[Rerun]

With me I have this overwhelming (I can't stop it) urge to stretch and it starts and I have to stretch and BAMB LEG cramp and I still can't get control  and I have to then jump out of bed and step on the floor to stop it.