[Guest_happikat_*]

Last night I had a dreadful night. After a horrid asthma attack (probably worse I've had took quite a lot of reliever to get it controlled) then 2 hours later my leg cramped so badly I was screaming in pain, and it is still sore today. The pain this time wasn't just in my calf muscle, but then went all the way up my leg and at one stage I could feel it in my bum and my arm same side as the cramp. Any suggestions what might have caused it? I can't google endlessly as I'm on dial up at the moment and takes me too long. TIA

[BabaO'Riley]

Are you pregnant? Calcium deficiencies can cause leg cramps.

[ourlittlegirl]

For me it was a sudden increase in excercise. I joined the gym and started doing long workouts. I was up with leg cramps every night, until I stopped going to the gym. Then they stopped. Excercise is bad for you

[thiseldome]

I get them too, but not too often, maybe once or twice a month.

Cant you tell I'm bored? Googled for yu and found this....

A muscle cramp is an involuntary, sustained tightening (contraction) of one or more of your muscles. It can result in intense pain and an inability to use the affected muscles. Night leg cramps are contractions of the leg muscles, usually in the back of the lower leg (calf). They often occur just as you're falling asleep or just as you're waking up.

The exact cause of night leg cramps isn't known. Some experts believe they may be due to abnormal processing of electrolytes — essential elements and chemical substances your body needs for basic functions — by muscles. Almost everyone has occasional leg cramps. But they occur most often in older adults. Common causes of night leg cramps include:

* Muscle overexertion
* Prolonged sitting
* Dehydration
* Pregnancy
* Diabetes
* Decreased potassium levels
* Neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson's disease
* Certain medications, such as albuterol, niacin, diuretics, and some calcium channel blockers, antipsychotic medications
* Alcohol use
f you do get a leg cramp, you may be able to make it go away by:

* Walking on the affected leg
* Massaging the affected muscle
* Straightening your leg and flexing your foot toward your knee until you feel the calf muscles stretch
* Applying a cold pack to the affected muscle
* Taking a hot bath

To help prevent night leg cramps:

* Drink plenty of fluids during the day.
* Stretch your leg muscles before bedtime.
* Get adequate potassium in your diet.

If you have frequent and severe leg cramps at night, talk to your doctor. Treatment results vary. But the most effective treatments based on current research are:

* Vitamin B-12
* Gabapentin

Night leg cramps should be distinguished from another common cause of night leg discomfort called restless legs syndrome, a condition in which your legs have a creepy, crawly or fidgety sensation unless you move them. The sensation often worsens as night approaches. Restless legs syndrome is a neurologic condition that requires different treatment from that of night leg cramps

[Guest_happikat_*]

Thanks for the googling PP.

Muscle overexertion
* Prolonged sitting
* Dehydration
* Pregnancy
* Diabetes
* Decreased potassium levels
* Neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson's disease
* Certain medications, such as albuterol, niacin, diuretics, and some calcium channel blockers, antipsychotic medications
* Alcohol use

Okay looking at those: not pregnant (can't be got endo. can't conceive and on pill), not diabetes, not sitting any more than usually do perhaps less so, no alcohol, not parkinsons, not sure about potassium but diet hasn't changed (where is potassium found?) so left with:

muscle overexertion I've just moved into a 2 level house with LOTS and LOTS of stairs everywhere - plus walking twice as much than was before as lovely climate and walking to my Dad's all the time - geez walking up and down those stairs is exhausting all day! Yesterday before bed I went for a huge walk up and down hills pushing a pram and my legs were tired afterwards. I'd say its option a Thanks again PP. Will also take note of the treatments in case it happens again!

[red_squirrel]

What were you taking for your asthma?

I know when I take steroids for asthma I get awful leg cramps. Apparently they drop your potassium. I've been told to eat a banana. In hospital I was given potassium tablets to stop them.

[Doofybear]

I always thought it was lack of salt?

But that would come into 'low potassium'...

[Guest_happikat_*]

What were you taking for your asthma?

I know when I take steroids for asthma I get awful leg cramps. Apparently they drop your potassium. I've been told to eat a banana. In hospital I was given potassium tablets to stop them.

Hmmm I wonder if that's it then. I went to bed at around 11.30, and had my asthma attack at about 1pm - I had 2 puffs seretide (from new puffer) before going to bed. Then as a reliever I used brinanyl and think I must have used it over the period of half an hour about 6-8 times as it was doing squat nothing. So maybe that's it.

The only other difference is that I'm not drinking tap water here I've just moved from Melbourne best water in the world to chlorine tasting water. So I'm drinking bottled water mostly.

My Dad wondered if I could be dehydrated but I'd drink over 2 litres of water/fluid a day mostly water.