Charlie horses.....

pearlmom2 · 05-14-2008, 06:48 PM

My DH and I keep getting them...what can we take or eat to make them stop??

canuck32 · 05-14-2008, 06:53 PM

I think you guys are low on potassium. Maybe take a potassium supplement?

amiga74 · 05-14-2008, 06:54 PM

magnesium and/or potassium i think can help?

mephy · 05-14-2008, 06:54 PM

I get them if I don't take calcium + magnesium supplements. I buy the combination ones. Since low-carb is a diuretic, you can lose minerals.

sugarless4life · 05-14-2008, 07:01 PM

I got this stuff from Walmart for leg cramps and its the BOMB ! Very inexpensive and very effective! I get alot of cramps from sweating so intensely with running in this heat and these little gems are the best for putting a stop to them !

Betty

Jennyl · 05-14-2008, 07:24 PM

I took potassium but then I had heart palpitations from it. I quit the potassium and took extra calcium....problem solved

Melle · 05-14-2008, 07:37 PM

I get "light-headed", when I'm low on potassium. The highest form of potassium, that I've found, is salt substitute...it's PURE potassium. I keep a bottle of Morton Salt-Substitute, in the cabinet. I don't use it for cooking or for table salt...I keep it for "medicine". When I start feeling as if I need some potassium, I sprinkle some salt-substitute on whatever I'm eating. It helps, immediately...usually within 15-20 minutes. I've even been known (when I'm not eating something), to pour about a dime-sized portion in my hand, and wash it down with warm water. It tastes nasty for just a second, then the water washes away the taste. It works FAST!

pearlmom2 · 05-14-2008, 07:39 PM

WOuld a multi vitamin have my daily dose of potassium?

amiga74 · 05-14-2008, 08:04 PM

it might, though only about 99mg tops. you could check. i could be wrong but i don't think its advised to take too much potassium or a supplement. otoh, it might be worth it to get a calcium+magnesium supplement, they are generally not that expensive.

good sources of magnesium are: halibut, mackerel, spinach, dried pumpkin seeds. swiss chard, crimini mushrooms, and raw spinach are good sources of potassium.
also: fennel, kale, mustard greens, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, winter squash, blackstrap molasses, eggplant, cantaloupe, tomatoes, parsley, cucumber, bell pepper, turmeric, apricots, ginger root, strawberries, avocado, banana, tuna, halibut, cauliflower and cabbage

pearlmom2 · 05-14-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amiga74

it might, though only about 99mg tops. you could check. i could be wrong but i don't think its advised to take too much potassium or a supplement. otoh, it might be worth it to get a calcium+magnesium supplement, they are generally not that expensive.

good sources of magnesium are: halibut, mackerel, spinach, dried pumpkin seeds. swiss chard, crimini mushrooms, and raw spinach are good sources of potassium.
also: fennel, kale, mustard greens, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, winter squash, blackstrap molasses, eggplant, cantaloupe, tomatoes, parsley, cucumber, bell pepper, turmeric, apricots, ginger root, strawberries, avocado, banana, tuna, halibut, cauliflower and cabbage

I always thought of potassium being in bananas, I had no idea that all these other good foods have them!!

amiga74 · 05-14-2008, 08:14 PM

i know, me too! once i started lc (and experienced the charlie horse) i had to do some research!

Livywilltim-mom · 05-15-2008, 05:23 AM

Tomatoes sprinkled with No-Salt will work very quickly.

I also keep the 99 mg tablets in my medicine cabinet.

Hope something helps you and DH.

Peace

seb · 05-15-2008, 08:19 AM

I go through phases with leg/foot cramps at night, but if I take calcium before bed I don't have cramps.

suzanneyea · 05-15-2008, 08:42 AM

I had horrible leg cramps during induction, I added a potasium suppliment. I do not know if they went away cause of the suppliment or if my body just adjusted...

pearlmom2 · 05-15-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seb

I go through phases with leg/foot cramps at night, but if I take calcium before bed I don't have cramps.

I will give this a try.

KevetS · 05-15-2008, 02:22 PM

For my MIL, quinine did the trick. But I think she needed an Rx for it.

FloridaShell · 05-15-2008, 03:21 PM

I get them every once in awhile. They are painful. Like Betty said, it's from sweating in the heat for us, I eat tomatoes, works like a charm.

eisue · 05-15-2008, 03:37 PM

I have been having the WORST cramps in my calf, hamstring and yes even my feet. I went to the store and bought Potassium Gluconate (550 mg). The label says 1 per day with a meal but I've been taking one in the am and one in the pm and has worked for me so far (knock wood)

fawn · 05-15-2008, 04:19 PM

My favorite is apple cider vinegar.
Has the mineral balance we need in a food source.

05-14-2008, 06:48 PM	#1
pearlmom2 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 399 Gallery: pearlmom2 Stats: 31 yrs old...191/159/150 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 02/04/2008	Charlie horses..... My DH and I keep getting them...what can we take or eat to make them stop??

05-14-2008, 07:37 PM	#7
Melle Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Branson, Missouri Posts: 659 Gallery: Melle WOE: Just Low Carb Start Date: April 20, 2008	I get "light-headed", when I'm low on potassium. The highest form of potassium, that I've found, is salt substitute...it's PURE potassium. I keep a bottle of Morton Salt-Substitute, in the cabinet. I don't use it for cooking or for table salt...I keep it for "medicine". When I start feeling as if I need some potassium, I sprinkle some salt-substitute on whatever I'm eating. It helps, immediately...usually within 15-20 minutes. I've even been known (when I'm not eating something), to pour about a dime-sized portion in my hand, and wash it down with warm water. It tastes nasty for just a second, then the water washes away the taste. It works FAST! __________________ (Start) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 (25%) 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 (50%) 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 (75%) 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 (Goal) "Walk Away the Pounds" Challenge I Jazzercise!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-14-2008, 06:53 PM	#2
canuck32 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Windsor, Ontario Posts: 17 Gallery: canuck32 Stats: 215/215/120 WOE: Atkins Start Date: June 10, 2008	I think you guys are low on potassium. Maybe take a potassium supplement?

05-14-2008, 06:54 PM	#3
amiga74 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: your monitor Posts: 1,350 Gallery: amiga74 Stats: 150/148/135 - 5'7.5 WOE: moderation/organic	magnesium and/or potassium i think can help?

05-14-2008, 06:54 PM	#4
mephy MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,340 Gallery: mephy Stats: 155/112/112 WOE: Atkins Maintenance Start Date: August 2002	I get them if I don't take calcium + magnesium supplements. I buy the combination ones. Since low-carb is a diuretic, you can lose minerals.

05-14-2008, 07:01 PM	#5
sugarless4life Atkins Ambassador Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 8,014 Gallery: sugarless4life Stats: I EAT TO LIVE HEALTHY AND EXERCISE TO LIVE STRONG! WOE: Lost it with Atkins / RUNNING to keep it off! Start Date: January 19, 2002 - 6 YEARS ON ATKINS	I got this stuff from Walmart for leg cramps and its the BOMB ! Very inexpensive and very effective! I get alot of cramps from sweating so intensely with running in this heat and these little gems are the best for putting a stop to them ! Betty

05-14-2008, 07:24 PM	#6
Jennyl Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: calgary Posts: 21,939 Gallery: Jennyl Start Date: manana	I took potassium but then I had heart palpitations from it. I quit the potassium and took extra calcium....problem solved

05-14-2008, 07:39 PM	#8
pearlmom2 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 399 Gallery: pearlmom2 Stats: 31 yrs old...191/159/150 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 02/04/2008	WOuld a multi vitamin have my daily dose of potassium?

05-14-2008, 08:04 PM	#9
amiga74 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: your monitor Posts: 1,350 Gallery: amiga74 Stats: 150/148/135 - 5'7.5 WOE: moderation/organic	it might, though only about 99mg tops. you could check. i could be wrong but i don't think its advised to take too much potassium or a supplement. otoh, it might be worth it to get a calcium+magnesium supplement, they are generally not that expensive. good sources of magnesium are: halibut, mackerel, spinach, dried pumpkin seeds. swiss chard, crimini mushrooms, and raw spinach are good sources of potassium. also: fennel, kale, mustard greens, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, winter squash, blackstrap molasses, eggplant, cantaloupe, tomatoes, parsley, cucumber, bell pepper, turmeric, apricots, ginger root, strawberries, avocado, banana, tuna, halibut, cauliflower and cabbage

05-14-2008, 08:14 PM	#11
amiga74 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: your monitor Posts: 1,350 Gallery: amiga74 Stats: 150/148/135 - 5'7.5 WOE: moderation/organic	i know, me too! once i started lc (and experienced the charlie horse) i had to do some research!

05-15-2008, 05:23 AM	#12
Livywilltim-mom Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 3,326 Gallery: Livywilltim-mom Stats: 195/160/183/110 WOE: Atkins 72 Start Date: April 13, 2007: Restart 6/30/08	Tomatoes sprinkled with No-Salt will work very quickly. I also keep the 99 mg tablets in my medicine cabinet. Hope something helps you and DH. Peace

05-15-2008, 08:19 AM	#13
seb Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Washington State Posts: 7,134 Gallery: seb Stats: 205/171/140 5'6" 47 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Restart on 1-29-07	I go through phases with leg/foot cramps at night, but if I take calcium before bed I don't have cramps.

05-15-2008, 08:42 AM	#14
suzanneyea Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Quebec Posts: 444 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: suzanneyea Stats: 120 WOE: Atkins	I had horrible leg cramps during induction, I added a potasium suppliment. I do not know if they went away cause of the suppliment or if my body just adjusted...

05-15-2008, 02:22 PM	#16
KevetS Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Washington D.C. Posts: 184 Gallery: KevetS Stats: high 235/restart 198/now 174/new goal 32" waist WOE: Atkins, maybe going to SB Start Date: Restart 1/1/08 @ 198 lbs.	For my MIL, quinine did the trick. But I think she needed an Rx for it.

05-15-2008, 03:21 PM	#17
FloridaShell MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,261 Gallery: FloridaShell Stats: 163/133/125 WOE: My own way of l/cing Start Date: 1/2/08	I get them every once in awhile. They are painful. Like Betty said, it's from sweating in the heat for us, I eat tomatoes, works like a charm.

05-15-2008, 03:37 PM	#18
eisue Junior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NC Posts: 5 Gallery: eisue Stats: Don't believe in scales WOE: Atkins Start Date: March/2008	I have been having the WORST cramps in my calf, hamstring and yes even my feet. I went to the store and bought Potassium Gluconate (550 mg). The label says 1 per day with a meal but I've been taking one in the am and one in the pm and has worked for me so far (knock wood)

05-15-2008, 04:19 PM	#19
fawn Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 6,758 Gallery: fawn Stats: 210/120 WOE: Eating For Health Start Date: 2/2000	My favorite is apple cider vinegar. Has the mineral balance we need in a food source.