Leg cramps hurt like heck
By Lakota12
@Lakota12 (42600)
United States
August 11, 2011 8:37am CST
Last year I started getting very sever leg gramp ended up to the cario sugeons office took all kinds of tests and then sent for a exploration where they go in to the big arterry well they said they planet 3 stents in there one on right side and 2 on left side.
I bled out 2 times before they got it to stop bleeding by putting pressure on the inset place ( painfulllllllllllllllllllll)
THat done I started walking got up to a mile a day then Sergeon wanted a look at my throat artiey (sp) so go for that they put the dye in you to take a loook well that turned out ok no need for suergeon to operate there.
Then after that got down where I wasnt able to walk the mile So Primary DOc had me go in fro a stress test another round withthe dye and I felt that very hot behind my eyeblls.
Ok Doc said I passed that test A ok
As the months have passed I cant walk far with out getting cramps so bad it turns my left leg and foot bright red and turns my foot in almost to breaking point,foot stay ice cold when laying down goes completely numb and painful I am up and down all night getting it awake.
Always get up early but now about 1.30 am instaed of 2 or 3 or 4 am.
I have an appointment withthe Cardio Surgeon the 18th no telling what he wants to do lastt ime he said that it could come down with him cutting off my leg!
I am thinking withthe 2 dye test something has happened to the stents.
That wouldnt be all that bad if it has to be done I can get a wheel chair to gt around in.
BUt I think he is knofe happy and got mad that he didnt get to operate on my the first go round.
any way Do any of you suffer from leg cramp that go on night and day?
11 people like this
23 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
11 Aug 11
Ouch, that sounds painful, I am sorry you are going through this, I hope they can help you overcome these painful cramps.
Myself, I occasionally suffer from charlie horses, but only if I am not doing my exercises to prevent them. The last time I had one was just over a months ago when I was camping in the tent in the backyard with my son. This was horrible, because if I get one in my own bed, I just jump up and start walking, this stretches the muscle and relieve s the pain. Found out quickly, one can't just jump up in a 2-man tent to walk a charlie horse off, I had the open the tent, with shaking hands because my leg was in agony, and start walking outside..I am surprised my son didn't wake up, but once I walked it off, my leg was sore for a couple days, but it's fine now..
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160491)
• United States
11 Aug 11
It is like your leg has had a workout all on its own and the muscle needs to recover for the pain to go away.
2 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
11 Aug 11
I can see you just trying to do that in a tent.
Ya I used to have them that way could be years before I had another attack but this is constant day and night when I lay down for a nap or for night to sleep setting in a recliner can happen at any time any where last time in the pool both feet went to sleep and I could hardly get out to wake them up walking in pool didnt help either
Thanks for responce
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
11 Aug 11
Oh Lakota, I feel for you, I do..I can't imagine having cramps like that so much..
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (166041)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Aug 11
I used to have really bad leg cramps and bottom of the foot cramps when I was jogging. They would happen at night. They hurt so bad I would be up with them and usually woke up the hubby at that time. I used to jog about seven to eight miles per day. The reason for mine were that I have one leg that is much shorter(12 degrees) that they other. Sounds like you have been having some really fun times. Ugh! Not! They better not take your leg off!!
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
11 Aug 11
Well running that far can do it too am sure I never did get into jogging.
Nope Not fun lololol
I will get a 2nd opinion if he says that agin I really dont like this DOc but the DOc that put in heart stents isnt on my list of Doctors I can use sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh now I liked him
2 people like this
@celticeagle (166041)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Aug 11
I had to have a piece made to jack up my one foot and then i didn't have any more cramps. Some of these doctors just don't have the greatest bedside manner. Good luck to you though.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160491)
• United States
11 Aug 11
I wonder if you are allergic to the dye, since you said it made your eyes burn. I would be sure to tell them about this. I do not get leg cramps, but my husband does, or at least he used to. If he is getting cramps he eats a banana morning and evening. We also try to eat a diet that has enough magnesium and I personally take a magnesium/calcium supplement all of the time. I hope they find out what is wrong and straighten it out. You need more rest.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
11 Aug 11
O have started the Calsium as to bananas I get o much potasium in my system and DOcs dont like that.
I also have appointment with Primary DOc she wants to talk about my last blood work no telling what she found. Oh yes I do need rest I do stay tired all the time!
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
11 Aug 11
I will get a cramp if I worked too hard and if I strained a muscle. Also I have to be careful about sleeping on my legs so I have to bend them. I would not be surprised that you have a blockage in your artery and that is causing the problems. Do you have heart problems n your family? And did you have an accident when you fell and broke something. I had a friend who fell and he had to have surgery to remove a blood clot.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
12 Aug 11
I hope it is not blood clots, It does sound like it has to do with your heart, but then I am not a doctor and I am just going with my friend's experience. I have another who still has trouble with her hip and stomach but that is because of the exploratory surgery and it having to heal.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
12 Aug 11
hi Lakota I get severe leg cramps if I either do not drink my 8 to 10 glasses of water every day or if I have too much salt in my food as I am a diabetic with high blood pressure. I also eat some bananas occasionally as if I get low on potassium I get really bad leg cramp in the middle of the night.It really sounds like you have very poor circulation in your legs and artery disease too. hope things will get better for you without having to lose your leg, thats awful, should be a last resort thing.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
12 Aug 11
Thanks HAtley thats why they put he stents in last NOv.
but seems they have failed big time.
Have been looking for an herb that jus might open and clean out the arteries SO far havent reall found anything. Vinegar and water helps some with the cramps but not the numbness
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
13 Aug 11
Personally I would be a little scared if it was me, and try getting a couple of different opinions if I can. Have they checked just your leg arteries to see if some of them are blocked and need to be worked on? Are you Diabetic or have other underlying issues that are making you feel this way? Have they tried other medications etc. or thought of being a side effect to something you are taking or have not tried?
I have leg problems due to having the Chronic wounds and from having Fibromyalga. I was tested for my Heart due to I have problems walking. They also did lazer surgery on my leg vein to help the blood flow. But I also have Fibromyalga which is making it really hard for me to walk, etc. myself.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
13 Aug 11
I have had stents put in for the legs back in Nov.
and I think he left side has blocked up they only ever do the thing like and echo gram on my right groin area to find the needed to look and I feel like they never went to the calf of the leg to look more. THey put thod tubes in my groin but still dont think they went far enough as It didnt woork ot l long aslo have had stress test for heart and those stents are working fine
nope not diabetic. I take an asprin and plavix that thins blood.
I think I will ask for the lazer if they have to do that.
thanks for responding
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
12 Aug 11
Hi Lakota 
I hope you find a way to get better. I remember having heard that cramps can come due to lack of magnesium and maybe other nutrition.
It cannot harm if you eat lots of fresh vegetables and get a magnesium supplement.
I hope you get better..
I hope you find a way to get better. I remember having heard that cramps can come due to lack of magnesium and maybe other nutrition.
It cannot harm if you eat lots of fresh vegetables and get a magnesium supplement.
I hope you get better..@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
12 Aug 11
I guess you can eat at least a lot of salad - roman would be great - and other veggies, as you can get magnesium etc that way.
Many doctors have not been much educated about nutrition, so we have to try to find out about it ourselves.
Wish you better health..
@AmbiePam (91973)
• United States
14 Aug 11
My dad did a long long time ago. Then the wife of a friend who was a physical therapist told him to eat a banana whenever he got one. Something about the potassium getting rid of the cramps. So when eating the banana did get rid of his leg cramps he started just eating one every morning and he ceased to have them.
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
20 Aug 11
I am sorry to hear about your pains. I know how you feel...I get cronic back pains and neck pains. I go to a chiropractor once a week...it helps but not enough.
I used to get cramps in my legs and feet a lot. At night time I would lay in bed and get the worst cramps ever in my feet, to the point I couldn't fall asleep and when I did every time I moved I would wake up with cramps in my feet and sometimes my legs.
Then for some reason I started drinking lots of water and my cramps and headaches...had them too lots...went away. I never noticed right away but one day my daughter got a charlie horse and complained about it and that is when I realized I wasn't getting cramps anymore or headaches for that matter.
I asked my doctor about this on my yearly check-up and she said it was because I was drinking water and I must have been dehydrated before and that why was I was getting cramps and headaches.
I make sure I drink lots of water every day now and I don't get cramps anymore or headaches and it's been about 3 years now. To think all those years, about 20 of them, I was suffering when I didn't have to. All I had to do was drink water, which I never ever used to do. I hated water but now I drink it all the time. I don't step out of the house without a bottle of water in my hands.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
20 Aug 11
SO glad the water workrd for you I drink it all the time like you I never leave home with out it.
My Cardio Doc has ordered me and Artierogram to see where there might be blockages in my leg. I then will broably have to have it operated on,
thanks for responding
1 person likes this
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
20 Aug 11
I really wish you luck my friend. I know what cronic pain is like and it isn't fun.
@dodo19 (47315)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
22 Aug 11
I get leg cramps as well, and I can certainly understand what you mean. They can really be painful. They can certainly hurt like heck. Sometimes, my muscles will be sensitive and/or soar for some time afterwards. I'm really not a huge fan of leg cramps. They are not pleasant at all.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
17 Aug 11
Oddly sometimes I get foot cramps when I am in bed at night. I have not experienced the leg cramps and am so sorry to hear of all your pain. Is it getting any better. I sure hope so as it sounds so painful for you.
@abhirox143 (12)
• India
13 Aug 11
i too had suffered a severe leg cramp,after playing a football match.that pained like hell.i applied many creams and sprayed some pain relievers,but did not work.den i build up my self confidence,whatever happens let it happen and i started running,swimming,then within a week the pain vanished..its all in your self confidence ..!!
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
12 Aug 11
Oh, I feel your pain!
I've never suffered leg cramps like that before, but I have suffered from leg cramps. The worst time was when I was pregnant with my youngest. I was about 8 months along, I think, and woke up to the most horrific leg cramps I've ever felt. As it was the middle of the night, I didn't dare scream (although I wanted to) as I didn't want to disturb the other family members in the house, including my oldest, who wasn't quite 3 at the time. And although the pain didn't last long, the memory of it lives in my mind. Just thinking about it makes me feel funny...and not in a good way either.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
12 Aug 11
Sorry to hear about your problems, Bless your heart,i hope they can get u some relief & not have to take your leg. I don't have cramps too often but am in constant pain w/my legs & back.It's the pits to have all these problems & get old to, lol.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
12 Aug 11
Got that right . I used to be a big walker me and hubby would walk all over then he got gout before he passed away so we didnt walk any more.
There should be a way to get something done with out cutting off my legs
Ya know I dont really feel old just cant walk far right now lololol
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
14 Aug 11
Thankfully, I don't get nasty muscle cramps like that. Some things you could try that are supposed to help: hot compresses and increased magnesium and potassium. I've read that apple cider vinegar also helps; at least, it can't hurt you.
I would suggest consulting some good herbal remedy guides. There are some herbs that do treat cramps, but what you can take depends on what conditions you have and what meds you're already taking. If you are on meds, be certain to talk with your doctor before taking any herbal remedies; they can interact (sometimes, quite badly).
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
14 Aug 11
Not like you. I have a little leg cramp from time to time but not like you are having to suffer.
I would get a second opinion before he gets a hold of that knife. I can't stand a doctor that grabs the scalpel everytime he turns around. It really does sound like something wrong with those stints. They are not permanent anyway. I remember my grandmother having to have them replaced after so many years. They may have changed a lot since then though.
Good luck and take care.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
14 Aug 11
yeah I just found that out that they can be changed my daughters friends dad just had is repelced in his heart and since I have had that checked my stents in heart working.
from midnight till 2 am was up and down with awful pain in foot I couldnt rest so I got up since I have been up the pain not so sevier.
I hope they do have to be replaced I just hate the idea of haveing to ge it done wil have black and blue leg from hip to back of knee again and I bleed out 2 times that last time and the presure they put on ya to stop the bleeding ya feel like dieing any way.
I would guess if it is to be done again they will take me off the asprin and plavix longer than last time.
@dattakarthik (49)
• India
12 Aug 11
even me toooo when the sweat comes its smells badly tats my problem can any one help me
@moneymaker12394 (5)
• United States
14 Aug 11
Omg I hate leg cramps so much I often Get them in the middle of the night It is so normal for everyone to get cramps but the best way to get rid of these cramps is to take in lots of potassium which is found in bananas i started eating alot of bananas and i havent had a leg cramp since
