Cramping Feet & Toes...

[Katy]

Every once in a while, my foot, leg or toe cramps up. Luckily it's not that crazy, debilitating cramping, but it's bad enough. I thought I read once that it's a deficiency of sorts. Thing is, I can't recall what it's supposed to be...calcium? magnesium? potassium?

Anyone remember?

[Reenie]

My mom always told me to eat a banana when I had leg cramps/charley horses, so maybe it's potassium?

[Katie&Micah]

I've heard both calcium and potassium.

[camberne]

Ugh, potassium deficiencies suck!! Getting rid of it sucks even more!! Potassium pills are horse pills that will make you throw up even if you're not prone to it (I, on the other hand, have a horrible sensitive stomach ~ what's left of it); and then IV fluids tend to burn my veins because they are notorious about not mixing it with enough saline to keep the burn down. I make a point of eating a baked potato every couple of days (it has more potassium than a banana, and bananas make me sick) and lima beans.

Be really careful, because potassium deficiencies will also screw with your heart if you don't jump on it! I've learned SO much in this last year with everything. Drink tons of water, too... dehydration sucks worse than a potassium deficiency!!

Magnesium is in most multi-vitamins that you take over-the-counter. I'd suggest taking a multi-vitamin if you don't already do so. It's amazing how much more energy I have when I take them vs when I don't!!

[am_81]

I used to get crazy toe cramps and I believe its a potassium thing (my mom and dance instructors always gave me the "eat a banana" response). Mine werent exactly "debilitating" either, but they sure as hell hurt. I would have to stop everything I was doing and massage it out. I havent had one in quite some time though . . . . I notice I get them more when I'm active (running, dancing, etc.) and I've just started working again, so we'll see what happens.

[Scoutesina]

I've been getting foot cramps while swimming lately, which is kinda scary. I asked a nutrition professor I work with about it, and she suggested drinking quinine water or taking quinine tablets. I hate the taste of it so I haven't followed that advice :p, but I thought I'd pass it along.

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

I get foot and leg cramps when I'm dehydrated.

[Katy]

Thanks ladies! I knew there was a reason I had an old bottle of calcium magenesium that I tossed a while back. I'm so bad about making sure I take my daily vitamin (I have to wait until 4 hours after my thyroid meds). But the good thing, I certainly drink plenty of water :D