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Leg Cramps!

w8in4dave

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w8in4dave Community Regular
w8in4dave
Posted

So I wake up in the middle of the night with horrendous leg cramps! How long does it take for these to go away after going Gluten free? I can barely get up and stand when these come on! Talk pain!! 

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kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

You are assuming they are related to eating gluten. Might not be. Here are some common causes of nighttime leg cramps:

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nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

I had leg cramps related to a nerve injury from a few years previous to my diagnosis. they stopped after about 2 months gluten-free. Before that I was taking a homeopathic remedy, cuprum metallicum (sp?), that lessened the intensity and frequency.

 

I hope going gluten-free takes care of the problem for you. I know how maddening cramps can be. I remember waking up and beating on my leg trying to get it to relax, not knowing whether to laugh or cry... maddening.

eers03 Explorer
eers03
Posted

I had some leg cramping going on.  On a scale of 1-10 it was probably at most a 4.  Enough to notice but not enough to stop me in my tracks.  Stay hydrated with water and make sure your potassium intake is adequate.  If you're a kidney or heart patient, be sure to talk to your doc about your potassium before making major changes to your diet.

 

Remember, as a celiac, we need plenty of water!

Brandiwine Contributor
Brandiwine
Posted

Potassium deficiency is what I had when I had leg cramps. Started a potassium supplement. My Godmother got them for years and resently found it was due to artificial sweeteners and Aspartme in her flavored drinks....

stanleymonkey Explorer
stanleymonkey
Posted

Magnesium deficiency can cause cramps as well, when we switched my eldest to calcium plus magnesium her cramps went

w8in4dave Community Regular
w8in4dave
Posted
  • Author

I take potassium supplement, also I don't use Aspartame , or artificial sweetners. I am assuming from Gluten... Hoo humm ohh well something I gotta live with maby!! Man do they hurt!!! 

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cahill Collaborator
cahill
Posted

Most people do not realize that leg cramps can be a symptom of thyroid diseases ... Have you had your thyroid checked?

w8in4dave Community Regular
w8in4dave
Posted
  • Author

Yes I have had my thyroid checked! My Dr. Checked everything when I wanted to be checked for Celiac. I had horrendous cramps last night again! Maby they are lessening a bit? I don't know! But I have been walking maby that is causing?But I was getting them before I was walking.  on a scale of 1-10 It is like a 15. I can barely get up! I cannot straighten out my foot! For a few! Seems like forever when your woke up in the middle of the night with them! Then finally it starts to subside. I can still feel the spot where it was right now!! Whew!! 

frieze Community Regular
frieze
Posted

Yes I have had my thyroid checked! My Dr. Checked everything when I wanted to be checked for Celiac. I had horrendous cramps last night again! Maby they are lessening a bit? I don't know! But I have been walking maby that is causing?But I was getting them before I was walking.  on a scale of 1-10 It is like a 15. I can barely get up! I cannot straighten out my foot! For a few! Seems like forever when your woke up in the middle of the night with them! Then finally it starts to subside. I can still feel the spot where it was right now!! Whew!! 

I have to supplement Magnesium, and occ potassium....you need to be very careful with the potassium.  Are you taking a calcium supplement? Vitamin D?

1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

If and when I use potassium supplements, my chiro keeps close tabs on my blood pressure.  It can go too low and be very dangerous.  I had some leg cramps for several nights during the transition to gluten free.  I don't know why.  Anyway, I usually try to flex my foot (very difficult)., but  that releases the muscle.  I got so that I could feel it coming on and flex before it tightened too much. I haven't had cramps for months now.  Hopefully, yours will pass soon too.

 

D

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

Blood sugar problems can cause leg cramps also.

 

If you are concerned about low potassium you can try Morton Lite Salt.  It has potassium in it.

 

I used to get leg cramps but haven't had them in a few years.  I can't say I know why they stopped.

w8in4dave Community Regular
w8in4dave
Posted
  • Author

OMG I think the cramps got worse!! ughhh! Calcium , Potassium, I am just gunna get over it ... live with it I guess! 

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      thank you RMJ! That is very helpful advice. Good to know we aren’t crazy if we don’t do the endoscopy. We are going to try the gluten free and see how symptoms and levels improve.    thank you Wheatwacked (love the username lol) that is also reassuring. Thankfully she has an amazing and experienced pediatrician. And yesss I forgot to mention the poop! She has the weirdest poop issues.    How long did it take y'all to start seeing improvement in symptoms? 
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