Posted on 06/26/2011 1:50:17 PM PDT by RetSignman
If any of you suffer from leg cramps at night when you go to bed, I have something you can try. I know it works for me and it's a cheap remedy.
Buy a bath size of bar of Ivory Soap and put it under your fitted sheet near where your legs would be.
I know, it sounds crazy but IT WORKS. If you don't like that big lump by your legs, just take a knife, stand the bar of soap on edge and slice it in half or thinner, if you can.
I have read that some people with restless leg syndrome have been cured with this but I can't vouch for that but I can tell you that I no longer suffer from leg cramps.
Try it and post back if it works for you, ok?
Sleep well, Freepers.
(I have learned not to ask about certain things...)
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) can be curiously linked in combination with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Quite a combo!
BTW, cogentin is what the docs give to offset extrapyramidal symptoms for nighttime restlessness from some drugs.
calcium supliments do it for me about 1200 mg at night.
Or am I reading this wrong?
ping
[you stick a bar of soap UNDER your sheet]
You put it under the fitted sheet and yes it does eliminate the cramping.
Okay, just checking.
That’s usually caused by low Potassium or Magnesium.
Yes - and on top of that, my wife and dog snore.
If you try the banana route, eat the banana: don’t put it under your sheets. The latter method would attract ants and might raise suspicions about your nocturnal activities.
Try a 2 month supply of liquid chlorophyll for $8. Take a little in juice, is harmless.
Know it stops leg cramps or cramps from vigorous exercise. Could help here and doesn’t do anything but good to try it.
Okay, good to hear. I’m doing the right thing then. Boy those leg cramps are miserable. My husband also suggested that I stretch out my calves before retiring (you know, lean towards a door with flat feet on the ground a couple three feet out) and do a few push-ups against the door. I think that’s beneficial too.
Sorry,
I am NOT GAY! I would prefer a picture of a super Conservative male,died in the wool Patriot and Constitutionalist!!
Peripheral artery disease - legs
Peripheral vascular disease; PVD; PAD; Arteriosclerosis obliterans; Blockage of leg arteries; Claudication; Intermittent claudication; Vaso-occlusive disease of the legs; Arterial insufficiency of the legs; Recurrent leg pain and cramping; Calf pain with exercise
Last reviewed: June 17, 2010.
Peripheral artery disease is a condition of the blood vessels that leads to narrowing and hardening of the arteries that supply the legs and feet.
The narrowing of the blood vessels leads to decreased blood flow, which can injure nerves and other tissues.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Peripheral artery disease is caused by arteriosclerosis, or “hardening of the arteries.” This problem occurs when fatty material (plaque) builds up on the walls of your arteries. This causes the arteries to become narrower. The walls of the arteries also become stiffer and cannot widen (dilate) to allow greater blood flow when needed.
As a result, when the muscles of your legs are working harder (such as during exercise or walking) they cannot get enough blood and oxygen. Eventually, there may not be enough blood and oxygen, even when the muscles are resting.
Peripheral artery disease is a common disorder that usually affects men over age 50. People are at higher risk if they have a history of:
Abnormal cholesterol
Diabetes
Heart disease (coronary artery disease)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Kidney disease involving hemodialysis
Smoking
Stroke (cerebrovascular disease)
Symptoms
The classic symptoms are pain, achiness, fatigue, burning, or discomfort in the muscles of your feet, calves, or thighs. These symptoms usually appear during walking or exercise and go away after several minutes of rest.
At first, these symptoms may appear only when you walk uphill, walk faster, or walk for longer distances.
Slowly, these symptoms come on more quickly and with less exercise.
Your legs or feet may feel numb when you are at rest. The legs also may feel cool to the touch, and the skin may appear pale.
When peripheral artery disease becomes severe, you may have:
Impotence
Pain and cramps at night
Pain or tingling in the feet or toes, which can be so severe that even the weight of clothes or bed sheets is painful
Pain that is worse when the leg is elevated and improves when you dangle your legs over the side of the bed
Ulcers that do not heal
Signs and tests
During an examination, the health care provider may find:
A whooshing sound with the stethoscope over the artery (arterial bruits)
Decreased blood pressure in the affected limb
Loss of hair on the legs or feet
Weak or absent pulses in the limb
When PAD is more severe, findings may include:
Calf muscles that shrink (wither)
Hair loss over the toes and feet
Painful, non-bleeding ulcers on the feet or toes (usually black) that are slow to heal
Paleness of the skin or blue color in the toes or foot (cyanosis)
Shiny, tight skin
Thick toenails
Blood tests may show high cholesterol or diabetes.
Tests for peripheral artery disease:
Angiography of the arteries in the legs (arteriography)
Blood pressure measured in the arms and legs for comparison (ankle/brachial index, or ABI)
Doppler ultrasound exam of an extremity
Magnetic resonance angiography or CT angiography
Treatment
Self-care:
Balance exercise with rest. Walk or do another activity to the point of pain and alternate it with rest periods. Over time, your circulation may improve as new, small (collateral) blood vessels form. Always talk to the doctor before starting an exercise program.
Stop smoking. Smoking tightens arteries, decreases the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, and increases the risk of forming clots (thrombi and emboli).
Take care of your feet, especially if you also have diabetes. Wear shoes that fit properly. Pay attention to any cuts, scrapes, or injuries, and see your doctor right away. The tissues heal slowly and are prone to infection when there is decreased circulation. See: Diabetes foot care for more information.
Make sure your blood pressure is well controlled.
Reduce your weight, if you are overweight.
If your cholesterol is high, eat a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet. See: Heart-healthy diet.
Monitor your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes, and keep them under control.
Medications may be needed to control the disorder, including:
Aspirin or a medicine called clopidogrel (Plavix), which keeps your blood from forming clots in your arteries. Do NOT stop taking these medications without first talking with your doctor.
Cilostazol, a medication to enlarge (dilate) the affected artery or arteries for moderate-to-severe cases that are not candidates for surgery
Medicine to help lower your cholesterol
Pain relievers
If you are taking medicines for high blood pressure or diabetes, take them as your doctor has prescribed.
Surgery may be performed if the condition is severe and is affecting your ability to work or do important activities, or you are having pain at rest. Options are:
Angioplasty and stent placement of the peripheral arteries (this is similar to the technique used to open the coronary arteries, but it is performed on the blood vessels of the affected leg)
Peripheral artery bypass surgery of the leg
Some people with peripheral artery disease may need to have the limb removed (amputated). See: Leg or foot amputation.
Expectations (prognosis)
You can usually control peripheral artery disease of the legs without surgery. Surgery provides good symptom relief in severe cases.
For complications, the affected leg or foot may need to be amputated.
Complications
Blood clots or emboli that block off small arteries
Coronary artery disease
Impotence
Open sores (ischemic ulcers) on the lower legs
Tissue death (gangrene) — see gas gangrene
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if you have:
A leg or foot that becomes cool to the touch, pale, blue, or numb
Chest pain or shortness of breath with leg pain
Leg pain that does not go away, even when you are not walking or moving (called rest pain)
Legs that are red, hot, or swollen
New sores/ulcers
Signs of infection (fever, redness, general ill feeling)
Symptoms of arteriosclerosis of the extremities
References
Creager MA, Libby P. Peripheral arterial disease. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP. Braunwald’s Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2007:chap 57.
Aung PP, Maxwell HG, Jepson RG, Price JF, Leng GC. Lipid-lowering for peripheral arterial disease of the lower limb. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;4:CD000123. [PubMed]
Sobel M, Verhaeghe R; American College of Chest Physicians. Antithrombotic therapy for peripheral artery occlusive disease: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition). Chest. 2008;133:815S-843S. [PubMed]
Doctors should not prescribe it for people who live alone. Or for people taking any other stress relieving or pain medications. I know the dangers because a family member had disasterous results from taking Ambien. She was desperate for sleep having lived with pain and Fibromyalgia, and suffering from anxiety. It is not good at all if other meds are being taken and the docs should never give it to someone unsupervised. One night she took one too many (obviously not realizing she had already taken a pill) just trying to get a good, solid rest. She is resting in eternity now. Oh my, it is a horrible drug.
[Go to the drugstore and buy a Calcium, Magnesium & Zinc Combo supplement]
Thank you for the advice.
I don’t have RLS and my bi- annual check ups show no abnormal levels with anything. When a person gets to 72, all kinds of crappy stuff starts to happen.
I’m glad your remedy works for you, a .30 cent bar of soap works for me, old home remedy or not.
BTW, there is no pain worse than getting a leg cramp while stretching your calves. YOW!
I already know what it is. And I’ve already had 1 heart attack.
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