My legs really hurt...

meganmcpeak33@hotm · #1 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 01:07 PM

Iwoke up screaming in pain this morning with Charlie Horses, but now the back of my claf really hurts.

I have some light blue veins. Maybe they will turn into varacose?
Please advise girls...

meganmcpeak33@hotm · #2 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 01:09 PM

calf

LisaM · #3 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 01:48 PM

Charlie horses are the worst!!!

I've heard it means you need more calcium.

I tend to get them with pregnancy on the bottom of my feet. When I feel one comming on, I hurry and stand on it to stretch the muscle out. That usually stops it from happening. It always happens when I'm sounds asleep and the start of one will wake me up. It's quite comical to see a huge pregnant lady jump up out of bed as fast as she can to stand on her feet, LOL!!!

Anyway, I know those suckers hurt like a mother! Hope you get some relief soon. Definitely try standing on your leg and putting all your weight down as hard as you can to stop it from getting worse. HTH's and that you get some relief soon!

dutchielover · #4 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 02:02 PM

you need potassium & calcium
Try some banana's

degenhardt · #5 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 03:16 PM

Avocados and potatoes with skins on are also good for potassium and won't cause you to be backed up. Most likely it's your calcium intake. You need 1200 mg while your pregnant. On top of my regular pre-natal vitamin I take a calcium with it at night. If you choose to get a potassium supplement you can't take it with pre-natal because iron blocks the uptake of potassium.

Next time you get one try squatting then walking then squat again. Or pull your toes towards your head. If you point your toes, like a ballerina, it seizes worse. After the fact try warm compress

Hope it gets better.

melissa_745 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 03:53 PM

I do the same thing as Lisa...jump up out of bed and start stretching it out. Then, I usually finish with a trip to the bathroom, since I'm awake anyway!

I had a chiropractor tell me once that in addition to calcium you need magnesium, and she recommended adding cashews to your diet. Don't know if it actually helps or not, but any excuse to buy cashews is A-OK with me!

On another note, make sure you are staying hydrated. Dehydration will make them worse.

Oh..and for me, it's worse if I sleep in a cold room without a blanket, so I have to leave the A/C as warm as I can stand it at night or else I make sure I put a sheet on my lower legs. It seems to help me, anyway.

kellybelly_msu · #7 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 04:57 PM

I'm sorry you're hurting! I don't know first hand, but my cousin and college roommate would wake up screaming with them pretty regularly. I would have to get up and get her potassium supplements, b/c she didn't eat bananas and rub her legs til it stopped. That was her doctor's orders, but she wasn't pregnant. I hope they are feeling better by now!

Sapphire · #8 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 05:30 PM

I got that with my first one no fun at all. I hope you find a solution soon.

Jennw · #9 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 06:05 PM

I was just complaining about the same thing to my dh! Hurts like heck!

rnjsmom · #10 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 07:58 PM

Oh my gosh-- I hate those!! I also jump up out of bed so fast and then hop on it. I try to stretch it, but I have to stretch it slowly. It scares the crap out of dh every time.
I was going to say eat more bananas, drink milk and water. They usually help me. But like the others said, it usually happens in the night. I can't stretch my legs completely out because I am afraid I will get a cramp! Good luck!

exoh_jessi · #11 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 09:53 PM

i agree on the potassium and calcium, i get them a couple times a night, every night.. the best advice i can give you when you feel it starting is to straighten out your leg really fast and flex your foot all around, stretch it anyway it stetches and that usually works it out before it really starts to hurt, plus its alot better than actually jumping out of bed! im to the point now where the start of one will wake me up and ill do my little stretch and fall right back asleep

GL hun!

aj_mommy · #12 (**permalink**) 07-06-2008, 09:09 AM

i agree with everyone else, what i used to do was rub them so hard lol it worked for me though.