Cramps in Calves and supplements

[Theophania]

Ok, I have been told everything from try taking this supplement to taking this supplement. To get rid of calf cramps that I get in the morning when I stretch my legs out.

To give you a little info on my vitamin intake. Any day that I don't eat great (not that often), I definitely take vitamins. Any day that I do eat healthy, I take vitamins about 40% of the time. The vitamins I do take are: a daily multi, calcium/magnesium, fish oil (usually on the bad days), vitamins A, C and E.

I eat pretty darn healthy. I love milk and I eat bananas almost every day. I sip on water all day at work and stay well hydrated.

I've been getting cramps in my calves my whole life, recently they've gotten worse and I get them almost every morning and sometimes it wakes me up. Now, I have found that stretching often at work will reduce the cramps the following morning, and the frequency. I have a sit down job.

Recently, I read that birth control pills can cause women to get cramps because it makes them urinate more and they flush out their water soluble vitamins. After reading that, my husband and I traced back when these got so extreme and realized the timeline is right for this to be the cause.

Anyone have any idea on what I need to do other than stopping the birth control pills to fix this? Will taking vitamins every day help or what? Do I need to take more than the daily recommendation?

I did stop taking the pills and haven't had a cramp since, however I will have to start taking them again soon. I am on them to control painful menstrual cycles. I can usually go about 3-6 months without taking them before the pain gets unbearable.

 

[johnny83]

I would really reccomend talkin to a Dr. about this. My wife also had problems while on BC pills. The Dr. changed the type of pills and the problems went away.
Seriously, nobody on this forum, unless their a Dr or ObGyn should be giving direct answers to these questions. I wish you well.
Johnny

 

[stangelj]

I do a lot of walking and sometimes get cramps in my calves during the night or shortly before I wake up when I've not stretched them out for a while. I normally stretch them after doing calf exercises at the gym, and when I've not done calves in the gym for a while I tend not to stretch them, and the cramps occur. What kind of stretches do you do for your calves while at work? Also it's always good to stretch when the muscles are warmed up, which they are not likely to be when you are sitting at work. Might be better to stretch after a walk or some other activity.

 

[MJM2004]

I would really reccomend talkin to a Dr. about this. My wife also had problems while on BC pills. The Dr. changed the type of pills and the problems went away.
Seriously, nobody on this forum, unless their a Dr or ObGyn should be giving direct answers to these questions. I wish you well.
Johnny

I agree. This sounds like something your doctor needs to know about and help you take care of. I also have the same kind of leg cramps and my Dr. recommended adding a potassium supplement to my regimen; even though I also eat a lot bananas and drink a lot of milk.

Since I've started taking it, my calf cramps have disappeared, but talk to your Dr. before you just go out and get any old Potassium supplement cause that may not even be your problem.

Hope this gets better for you soon.

 

[Theophania]

It's definitely the birth control pills that are causing them. I stopped taking them the same week I posted this and the cramps reduced within 2 days and I haven't had one since. I was having them daily before I stopped taking them.

I have an appointment with a doctor in a couple weeks. Going to see what I can do to get back on these bc pills. Unfortunately, the others I have been on in the past cause way too many side effects.

 

[greentree]

Wow - I used to get cramps in my calves and especially feet, and when I stopped taking BC a year ago, they completely vanished. Like you, I have no idea if these events were related, but the timing was correct. I've never heard this before. Thanks for the post, it sure is something to think about!

 

[runner84]

Leg cramps all the time!!!....found an answer though!

I have been running professionaly for about 4 years now and i often get very painful calf cramping. I stretch alot and always keep my water levels up but sometimes its just not enough. A friend introduced me to Electrolyte replacements and they tend to work, products like Gatordade etc. But if your like me and want to stay healthy its not always good to drink Gatordae as it contains colorants and preservbatives. I am very much a organic type eater, love my greens so i was very excited when i found this profuct last week on my searches. Its called Recover e21 and its totally organic and natural and it has 20 more elements than gatorade has. Its in a tablet form and it works to replace your electrolytes and also eliminates muscle cramping!! Its pretty cool cause they give you a FREE sample to try first and if it works GREAT and if it doesnt then no harm. But i took it before a workout and then in the middle of my workout and without a doubt no cramping or soreness.