Leg Cramps...

**babybump08** · 07-12-2008 01:33

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to prevent leg cramps?

I have permanemt sciatic nerve damage in my left leg and have a feeling these cramps are related to that. I only get them in my left leg & have been getting them since I hurt my back in 2006.

Before getting pregnant I'd get them maybe once or twice a week. And they were so severe I'd wake up screaming. It would only happen once during the night but the following day I wouldn't be able to walk properly (my calf would be rock hard).

For the past 3 weeks they have been increasing in frequency & severity

. I'm now getting them 4 - 5 nights a week and a lot more throughout the night (last night I had 13). Tonight, so far, I've had 4 which is why I am up right now I'm trying to let DH get some sleep as he has to work tomorrow... or should I say today.

Everyday I do stretches, light walking & strengthening exercises but they don't seem to be helping. Has anyone got any other suggestions on what else I could do to prevent them?

TIA

**chookat** · 07-12-2008 06:30

have you thought of elevating your leg,s i used to put a couple of pillows under my feet at night which at the time did help.

**brooke88(mum2b09)** · 07-12-2008 08:01

Sounds alot like me!
I have nerve damage to my T3 and T4 disc from an accident a few years ago, except I get sciatica in my right leg.
I'm now 18 weeks pregnant and for the last 5 weeks the cramps have increased and are alot more painful. My back hurts the worst though.
My GP suggested heading to the heated pool atleast 3 times a week and just walking the length of the pool for an hour.
I always feel buggered and by the end of it my belly hurts and I feel really heavy, no idea why.... But that being said I have the best sleep and don't wake up to any cramps whatsoever.

**splish n splash** · 07-12-2008 08:03

tonic water in the late arvo.

**Melbaby07** · 07-12-2008 08:40

Potassium and magnesium are meant to help leg cramps.
They recommend eating bananas and taking Vit supplements.

If you have nerve damage I would talk to a physio for professional help. I went to the chiro for bad SPD in prgenancy and it really helped.

My leg cramps during pregnancy were excruciating and nothing really helped much. My cramps were so bad my legs hurt the next day! If it helps, I had a natural labour and it hurt about as bad as my leg cramps - giving birth will be a breeze now, lol

Edited to add: Be careful about drinking tonic water in pregnancy. Large amounts (1 ltr) a day causes tremors in newborn babies and they're not sure what amount is safe on their developing nervous systems. It contains quinine - which has been linked to some issues for pregnant women.

**wocket** · 07-12-2008 12:24

have a teaspoon of powdered staminade mixed in with your last glass of water for the night before bed. i was suffering from these as well, until i tried this one.

**NonnyMouse** · 07-12-2008 12:34

You could try the old trick of putting cork under your legs while you sleep... many people swear by it! Or, give your calves a long massage right before bed. I've heard salt intake can be relatd to leg cramps, but I'm not sure if that was for too much, or too little.

Might be worth a trip to your GP or naturopath and don't leave there until you have a plan of attack.

**becalotsaeggs** · 07-12-2008 13:07

ewe! I remember them. Every pregnancy jumping up in the middle of the night. The next day your calf muscle is so pulled and sore. I still get foot cramps nearly every night. some people say its a lack of salt. I do believe that health food stores can help out. There are tissue salts and things you can take.

**babybump08** · 07-12-2008 19:59

Elevating my left leg hurts like hell, it stretches the sciatic nerve out. If I sleep with my knee bent with a pillow under my calf it doesn't stop the cramps.

Can I take more magnesium & potassium safely during pregnancy? I'm currently taking Elevit which has it in it.

My nerve damage stems from an injury to my L5/S1 disc (which also has severe degeneration). I have limited sensation in my lower left leg & foot (If I stand on a piece of glass I don't realise until I see the blood), reduced movement, constant pain in the back of my leg between my calve & achilles region & heel pain that shoots up my leg. My back hurts alot from the injury, as well as the degeneration. It's still healing from the 2 bouts of surgery I've had to get the disc off the nerve so I'm sure the scar tissue isn't helping either. I can handle the back pain it's the leg pain that causes me the most grief.

Annonymouse do you mean a cork from a wine bottle?

As for tonic water.... that will be a last resort, I can't stand the stuff.

What's staminade?

GP has no idea what to do as I can't take any medication for it as there are none that are category A. She's recommended talking to my Orthopedic surgeon so I am going to try to get an appointment tomorrow, I don't like my chances as I know he's going away shortly.

Do I need a referal to a physio or can I just make an appointment?

**tales** · 08-12-2008 06:43

Generally I think you need referrals if you want to claim them on medicare. If you're desperate or don't care about rebates, you can probably make an appointment any time. Perhaps, if you're booked into a hospital for the birth, see if you can make an appointment with one of the hospital physios. I know at mine there are a lot who are trained in pregnancy related diagnosis and treatment and run classes.