Charlie Horse
Today in the wee hours of the day I was awoken by a fresh sensation: Charlie Horse pain. Anyone who’s ever gotten that sudden muscle cramping burst of concentrated pain in their lower legs in the middle of a great night’s sleep knows just how bad this sucks. I tried to look up some information about the causes of the Charlie Horse, but I don’t think everyone agrees on their cause just yet. I read that calcium and potassium deficiency can contribute, but I don’t think mine was caused by that. It’s been about 3 years since I last had one so I suppose I was due. When the ole charliehorsenator strikes you, all you can do is clench your teeth, rub your leg, and count the minutes till the pain goes away. Which is exactly what I did. Then a few hours later, I had to get myself up and hobble to work =(. I guess it could always be a whole lot worse. TGIF.
A cramp can be quickly defused with active stretching of the affected muscle. Cramps in the calf muscle can be defused by outstretching the leg, pushing the heel downward, and pointing your toes toward your head. Standing up with most of your weight on the ball of the foot on the cramping side will also stretch the [calf] muscle and diffuse the pain. If you feel a cramp starting, this will usually stop it from becoming more painful.
Can you imagine being in clinical tests to determine the cause of Charlie Horses? Or having recurring muscle cramps? Grrrrrrggggg, just thinking about it makes my poor calf hurt =(.
Tags: health
Old Blogger | Kabitzin 7/16/2004
By nicole, 1/10/2006 @ 11:20 pm
i agree with you.. my leg is sore for days after i get one, i get 2-5 a night and my poor leg is so sore right now and i been trying for years taking more vitaims and that doesnt help.. my doctors have no idea what causes them and tells me to just rub and walk out the pain they must not know the pain!
By Ender, 1/13/2006 @ 4:27 am
DUDE, I had the pleasure of experiencing this last night! I hate how since you’re still kinda in the middle of sleeping, you don’t have enough motor control over your leg muscles to actually relax them (to stop the pain), thus prolonging the charlie horse indefinitely. I think my leg muscles were totally clenched for a good 2 minutes or so while I was mentally screaming at myself to wake up and stop it!
By Danielle, 1/31/2006 @ 1:40 pm
charlie-horses are the worst. and the pain it leaves for days afterwards is a reminder of how horrible the experience was. Usually when i get a charlie-horse one night, i get a second the following night, so i wrapped my leg up and went to bed. i dont know if this really helps but i didnt have a second attack. *sigh of relief*
my friend told me next time i feel one coming on, to stretch my leg out straight and point my toes up. if you do this soon enough you can avoid it. Problem is, when you sleeping you dont know its going to hit until it does..and that leaves you with nothing to do but wait for it to end.
I was told by another friend if you get up and stand on the leg while experiencing a charlie-horse it will go away. Walk it off kinda deal. Thats next to impossible to do, at least thats what i think. k done.
By Susan Haugen, 2/4/2006 @ 9:17 am
Here I am at 8am on the internet searching for causes and what to do for charlie-horses…. both my fiance and I woke up from a dead sleep at 4:30am today with charlie-horses in our right calves. Same time, same day, same place! We were both moaning and trying to stand on the leg while massaging the calf. It’s also occured a couple times during intimate moments! That made us laugh and wince at the same time.
By Kabitzin, 2/4/2006 @ 3:57 pm
A charlie horse during an intimate moment would be pretty bad…
By Vicki, 2/10/2006 @ 6:38 pm
I had one last night all I could do was moan.I was laying in bed watching tv about 10pm & all of the sudden I felt it coming.It took a few hrs for some of the pain to completely subside & couldn’t walk on it for a few hrs either. I was thinking mine was caused from working all the time on my feet & then having 10 days off,it was that night after a 7-3 shift that I got it. And before experiencing this one I really didn’t get them until I started working.Now sometimes they are in my feet…. those suck too. I was told it was not enough potassium.My daughter used to get them all the time too she is now 17 but at 13-14 and 15 she almost had them daily,some say growing pains.
By Eric, 2/21/2006 @ 6:25 pm
Funny, I had a really bad charlie horse in my right calf last night.. and like with Susan, it was during a vigorous “intimate moment”. I get them occasionally… I had one just recently. I’m really keen to find the cause, but I do think it has something to do with blood circulation.
Susan, can you tell us a bit about you and your fiance’s lifestyles and eating and drinking patterns? I think the fact that you both had it at the exact same time has to be a key factor…and suggests maybe its something that you both do, eat or drink?
By Ran, 3/5/2006 @ 10:10 am
I just had one last night so I was looking up causes and didn’t find anything to my satisfaction. I did, however, find one good cure: a naked lady to rub your leg. It doesn’t even matter how long after the incident the cure still works pretty good.
By Scott, 3/9/2006 @ 1:19 pm
I woke about about 5am with a charlie horse in my left calf, it hurt like a mother and all i could do to try to make it go away (which problem made it worse) was a sudden jump out of bed and then I am just laying face down for 5 minutes until the constant pain stopped. I have been trying to stretch it out all day, but my leg is still sore. First time a got once of these since I got one in both my calves at the same time on a stationary bike 2 years ago, that hurt like hell and I couldn’t put weight on either leg for about 2 minutes, ouch
By Russ, 3/9/2006 @ 9:19 pm
I get them yearly it seems and they always wake me up from a dead slumber. The pain is so intense I am forced to stand immediately, and it goes away very quickly, however it can be sore for days after the occurrence.
I don’t take vitamins but I eat a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables and I drink tons of water. It could be overuse as I carry a toddler and heavy loads of firewood regularly.
By Melanie, 3/10/2006 @ 4:54 pm
I have been on the verge of a major charlie horse since Tuesday. I stretch my legs a lot while I sleep and I can usually wake up right before it hits, so I just quickly stop streching my leg. I think I am having mini ones because i am waking up every night in pain and have hardly been able to walk. On one hand I just want to get a really bad one to get it over with, on the other hand, I am scared because of how much they hurt! I swear, they must only last about a minute but it feels more like ten!
By Vicki, 3/11/2006 @ 10:20 am
I have cramps most every night. I’ve read things such as “your covers are too tight on your bed and that they constrict your muscles” and a lack of calcium and potassium, which everyone knows, but the other thing that I found is that a lack of magnesium or TOO MUCH magnesium will cause cramps. Also, i drink LOTS of water; over 100 oz per day and when you do this, you deplete your body of it’s sodium content.
I’ve tried drinking more at the beginning of the day so my body has time to replenish the sodium content, but I have NO SALT in my diet, so I guess that is out. I’ve also noticed though, that when I DO eat salt at night, I have them too. I’ve been taking magnesium supplements, which help, but last night I had a charlie horse in both of my inner thighs. About 6 inches down from my pelvic area. And let me tell you, YOU CANT STRETCH THAT AREA.
I am searching for that cure too, but maybe those of you who do not take magnesium supplements, can try it and see if the cramps decrease. I cant say they will go away, but at least you can try to get a few nights of uninterrupted sleep.
By Danielle Pesta, 3/23/2006 @ 1:07 pm
I just had one for the first time in years and it was the most painful experience ever. The worst of it all was that I got one in each leg!! All I could do was decide which leg was hurting me more and start rubbing. I must have used every curse word I knew.
By AMANDA, 3/23/2006 @ 3:29 pm
I just got one last night it was 1:00 am and I was in a deep sleep. This was the worst one I ever got it seemed to last forever…I screamed and woke my husband and he started to rub my calf…eventually it went away. In the morning when I had to get up at 5:30 am I was in a deep sleep…bummer I had to hobble out of bed and put the weight on my left leg and hop into the shower to get ready to get to work. I wish there would be more info on this. After reading all of the above messages I guess we have to bare the pain and move on.
By Kim, 3/27/2006 @ 9:45 pm
Thank you all so much for sharing this wonderful and useful info. I was trying to find stuff on the web about Charlie Horse’s for my mom, who suffers from leg cramps, restless leg syndrome and yes, Charlie Horse’s. I was surpised at how LITTLE info on the web there was to be found on this topic. In fact, when I did my search I was coming up with things like Charlie’s Pizza, and whatnot. very odd. But I was so greatful to find you all tonight, you have helped me tremendously and I will pray for your relief and good night’s rest for you all. Take care.
By Keisha, 3/30/2006 @ 10:24 am
I get charlie horses in my thighs and sometimes my ankles turn inward and cramp up I went to the doctor yesterday because I had several throughout this week and I was just sitting down and caught one however they don’t know much they are referring me to a neurologist I think they won’t know much either I have been suffering since the age of 12 im now 25 back then I went through radiation and it helped a bit, but that was temp. I need help becaus I don’t think neurologist is needed someone just need to do a study and find the cause because my lab work come back normal all the time and besides i’m a physical educator and you would think that i’m in tip top shape but im not!!!
By Renee, 3/30/2006 @ 2:52 pm
augghhh…I too was jolted awake by the intense tightening pain in my calf; I have not had a night Charlie horse, or any Charlie horse in years for that matter. What the heck causes that? What a shocker to wake up to. I work in a hospital and asked around about the cause, I heard the cause is somewhere between wearing high heels, low calcium and dehydration. I take calcium so I don’t think that’s it, I don’t wear high heels, maybe dehydration….I wouldn’t advice jumping to your feet during a Charlie horse, I went right to the floor. Not cool!! SO, I’ll drink more water and hope it won’t happen again too soon. Its comforting to know there are others out there with the same experiences!!!
By Lara, 3/31/2006 @ 5:33 pm
Hi…I suffered from one last night that rocked my world (in the bad way).
Here’s some info I found from the Mayo Clinic. I hope it helps!
Causes:
overfatigue and/or dehydration
overuse
injury
muscle strain
remaining in same position
inadequate blood supply to the legs - Antherosclerosis
nerve compression in the spine - Lumbar Stenosis (compression of lower end of spinal canal) - pain stops when sitting or bending forward
potassium loss due to use of diuretics
excessive sweating - uncommon cause
Symptoms:
sudden and sharp muscle pain, often in legs
distorted lump of muscle tissue beneath the skin
calf muscle pain during sleep
Possible Treatments:
Extend gently cramping muscle
compressing and massaging cramping muscle
hot bath or heating pad
cold may reduce spasm or relax muscle
contract the opposing muscles - i.e. leg cramp - flex foot until cramp lessens
Yoga - strengthen/balance the body, learn to relax
If interfering with sleep - consult doctor
By Walt, 4/2/2006 @ 3:40 am
So I’m pretty sure I just got one last night, the first one ever in my life. I’m a barback at a very big/busy bar in NYC. I’m constantly on my feet and carrying cases of beer etc…
I got off from work last night, home in bed around 7 a.m…. sometime during that sleep I awoke suddenly, after I believe i stretched my right leg, and there was a terrible pain in my right hamstring. It was this pulsating pain that absolutely killed. Lasted for I guess a minute, but that was 1 minute too long. Anything I can do to prevent these in the future?
By jenn, 4/3/2006 @ 3:42 pm
hello I am 7 months pregnant and I have been getting them everynight for the past 2 weeks!! It is horrible to wake up from a charlie horse. My husband started to rub it but it hurt worse. Mine seem to go away when I just bare the pain and relax my leg completely until it goes away. When it starts to go away I can feel it like thumping!!! It feels like there is a fist in your leg ripping at your muscles!!! I think mine is from bad circulation and plus I work at an office. There is nothing you can do but deal with it!!! Trust me, I have had about 14 of them in the past two weeks and know that I can look forward to one tonight. Its in the same leg everytime and I kind of limp on that leg because that muscle has been soooo sore!!!
By Gregory Thompson, 4/7/2006 @ 5:17 am
i have a very hot electric blanket and i only get them in the night when its on which is allmost every night. When i turn of the blanket i dont seem to get them. Im tired of the excruciating pain but i would like to stay warm. *sigh*
By Steven, 4/9/2006 @ 9:56 am
I’m a runner, but I seem to get a charlie horse more often when I haven’t run for a little while. I have also gotten them when I have been running and meet someone and start to have sex (I bet it’s related to tensing up and positions). It seems like changes in use patterns have an effect. I also sometimes have back problems. The one thing that I think completely prevents a charlie horse is a muscle relaxant. I use them for my back, and I have never had one while taking them (I take Flexeril). I don’t think this is a great ongoing solution, but I do find that they come in groups for a period of time and then go away so it may work for that. When it happens. it’s almost always while I’m asleep, and I wake up in pain, cursing. It generally helps to pull my toes back (opposite of pointing them). I do feel that they tend to happen when my toes are partially pointed in my sleep, but that’s hard to say for sure. Gregory’s comment (above mine), makes me wonder if there isn’t a correlation to have a cool room for sleeping, but I don’t think that has been a consistent factor for me. In general, I’d say that they occur with a change of pattern of calf exertion (increase or decrease, in running or sex, for me), and that once one happens, others are likely to follow for a period of days or a couple weeks.
By Alan, 4/10/2006 @ 4:13 am
So last night I woke up with a charlie horse in my right leg and slight aching in my left. My day consisted of sushi, which meant I drank probably about 5L of water, then a 3 hour game of ctf, which I hidden in the same spot for about 2 of those hours, remaining perfectly still. Well about 6 hours after the game, while I was sleeping it hit. Which makes me think the combination of sleep exhaustion, 25 hours awake, remaining perfectly still, and maybe I flushed my system out of something critical by drinking so much water.
On a funny side note, when I woke in that pain, I immediately rose punching everything around me and dented my wall. I thought someone was attacking me, the pain was so different and at such an unexpected time. It probably took a good 20 seconds before I realized I wasn’t in any danger.
By Bob, 4/14/2006 @ 6:55 pm
I have found a cure for a charlie horse, at least if dome quickly enough.
When I find the pain in one of my legs coming on, I reach down under my testicles [about half way between the anus and the scrotum] with my fingers and press quite hard. [I read somewhere where this could help.]
It definitely worked for me. The pain subsided and went away.
By sam, 4/15/2006 @ 8:59 pm
Would it also work for someone without a scrotum???
By pmnicos, 4/17/2006 @ 12:03 pm
I awoke hands clenching the sheets as I realized…here we go again! Another charlie horse. I handled the pain by laying still and pointing my feet towards me, not away from me and it finally went away after 2 minutes or so. Got up, walked around, took a leak, and went back to sleep. An hour later… batter up!!! I got one in my other calf! Lucky me! Got up, walked around, took a leak, and came over to my computer (hobbling in both legs!) to try and find an answer!!!
I don’t get them frequently or regularly, however I do get them more than any other person I know. Why? Dunno.
Factors that may contribute to this problem: I don’t eat healthy, overweight, on my feet for 12-16 hour shifts as a restaurant manager, drink iced tea (a lot) and rarely ever a glass of water, pinched nerve in my back that compresses a disc, plantar fascitis in both feet, on occasion I get gout in my big toe, and get horrible sleep everynight tossing and turning (just spent $2500 on a new bedding “system” and still no relief). What does all this mean? If somebody was going to get these, it would be me!
I have not read above regarding how many others have a poor diet and I wonder what affect that has on the situation. Does anyone else go and take a leak right after they recover from this painful event? I actually received a good night sleep last night; maybe that is the reason I got the charlie horses…because a I was rest more than normal. I’ve heard about low calcium, magnesium, potassium, however in the past, I’ve taken these vitamins and guess what…still got ‘em.
Bottom line…it’s like this…nobody has the answer for this…just like Gout…and it sucks!!! We live in pain and then we die. At least I can look forward to a good nights rest then!
By Linda Van Norman, 4/19/2006 @ 12:23 pm
I get Charlie Horses ALL THE TIME in my sleep….I think IF you are prone to them, you will get them with ANY pre-condition. ie: If the room is too cold during sleep, if you didn’t drink enough water, if you drank too much water and diluted any or all electrolytes, if any electrolyte is out of balance, if you over exercise, if you change the use of a muscle group. For example, I got one in my left arm from playing Bagpipes longer then usual, I got one in my calf from being uncovered with a fan on at night, I got one in my neck (pulling my chin to my right shoulder) from driving over 10 hours in one day, I got one in my shoulder from hanging wallpaper for 2 days, I get them in the calves when I work too many 12 hour shifts in a row at the hospital.
I think those of you who only get them in one muscle at a time are really lucky. I get them in the front of my leg too along the shin, so if I point my toe down to stretch that muscle, then my calf grabs ahold, then if I point my toe up to stretch the calf then the front shin muscle goes tight again like an overwound rubberband again…..no relief!
Maybe my “proneness” is due to a lack of something in my diet, but I’ve taken potassium supplements, magnesium supplements, calcium supplements, multi-vitamins, etc at different times trying anything to calm the pain, and I eat home-cooked healthy meals, but the pain still comes in the middle of the night, always during sleep.
Maybe some smart MD somewhere will read this and do some research to save us all by finding the little known “thing” we are all deficient in.
All I know is some people are more prone than others….my 60 year-old husband has NEVER had one in his life! He offers to “rub” my muscles as they cramp….but my experience is that this is an added tension on an already screaming muscle…..likewise to standing on it during the cramp….OUCH! I would hit the floor, but my dad has been seen at 3 am doing a jig in the living room, and that is what works for him.
ALAS…..we are destined to pray for a good uninterrupted night’s sleep….which for me comes mostly in the summer, and when I have little stress.
By Melinda, 4/20/2006 @ 11:39 am
Just got the my first charlie horse…it’s been over 7 years. I work out at the gym almost everyday..and i’ve recently started a protein shake diet and all. Early this morning…WHHHOOOOOaaa, the pain in my calf literally had me speachless. Now im sitting at my desk at work massaging my poor leg.
I still intend on going to the gym to take some cardio classes..maybe the pain is just tension that needs to be flexed out
By Kathryn, 4/24/2006 @ 1:26 am
I also get general leg cramping and Charlie horses that leave my toes hurting. I had back surgury 4 years ago and the left leg is weaker and that is the leg I generally get them in. However, I wake up with cramps in both legs more often than not. I am in my office stretching my hamstrings and calves as we speak. I know that I have some new nerve compressions in L5 = S1 and am not sure if this is related or not. I am a nurse and am on my feet alot walking miles everyday. It only bothers me when I am sleeping. I find that standing up does help take it right away. The problem along with the pain is sleep deprivation. I use heat, and Hot baths and stretching to keep it under control and yet some nights are worse than others. I do think that strengthening the muscles and strectching them is critical. Good luck to you all I know of what you speak.
By Elizabeth, 4/27/2006 @ 8:54 pm
I woke up in the middle of the night with a charlie horse in my right calf and thought it was just a dream until I stumbled out of bed later on. They’re so painful! I heard that it helps if you stand up and press down hard with the leg that hurts but I once had a charlie horse in both legs so how would I even stand up. It had been almost a year I last had a charlie horse until the other night. I hope we all find ways to relieve the pain.
By Mandy, 4/28/2006 @ 1:10 pm
Wow! I can definitely relate to all of these…I had a charlie horse cramp in my right leg about 2 nights ago, its not the first time, in fact at one point I got them fairly frequently, but thankfully this time it was only in one leg..but I, like many others who wrote here, am still sore in that leg! I don’t know what causes it, and like many others I have been trying to find more information about it on the web, but there seems to be nothing. I guess I can try and use some of the above suggestions and hope I don’t get another mid-sleep wake up for a while! Because it hurts..and I also wake up totally in pain and I want to scream, but I end up screaming in silence, trying to stretch it and then massage it! Thanks all for the info, I will have to give it a try.
By Valerie, 5/2/2006 @ 3:05 pm
i just started to get them in my back and have no idea how to prevent them….i need help!!!
By Emilia, 5/7/2006 @ 5:09 pm
Hi, I’m probally younger than most of you, and i get them every ence in a while. In fack i had one last night, although in BOTH legs. I was camping and in a tent with my friends although they were all asleep. My guess is it was about 4in the morning and it hurt. It was like 2 min long. I get these sometimes and i don’t have any theory exept to hold on, close your eyes and wait for it to stop. Arg!
By Shelley, 5/9/2006 @ 10:59 am
Hi, I had a Charlie Horse last night in each calf muscle, both occuring at the same time. Like Melinda, above, I have just started a protein shake supplement in my diet. Wow…I was out of bed and stretching it off before I was even awake I think.
I have to get out of bed (and quickly) I would not be able to deal with the pain just lying there. It subsides much quicker if you get up and stretch it out…plus less pain the next day for sure.
I am going to eat two bananas today in hopes that it won’t happen again tonight!!!! (potassium)
By chelsea, 5/10/2006 @ 10:01 pm
Bob’s comment about pressing on your perineum is interesting.
While I don’t get Charlie Horse’s at night, I do wake up with anal cramps, which is basically a charlie horse in your anus. It is the most painful thing I have ever encountered. In order to relieve these, you can press on your perineum by straddling the edge of a bathtub or sitting on a tennis ball, for example. Not very comfortable, but it does the trick.
I got a charlie horse this evening while playing tennis and so started looking them up. I got one in the fall while playing tennis that was so bad that my calf was seized up for an hour and i ended up with a huge bruise later on. Anyway, I play tennis all the time, so it is not just the activity that brings it on. For me, I think I am dehydrated and possibly am lacking sodium right now. I believe I was similarly dehydrated last time.
So I just thought I would let everyone know about my experience and what I have found to be the common factors.
Glad to find so many comments here.
By Bill, 5/12/2006 @ 4:35 pm
I just had my first CH last night about 5am was dreaming about a tense situation awoke sweating a bit whipped the covers off- BAM! mid-calf silver dollar size lump extreme pain rubbed it out in about 3 minutes. I take a ton of supplements so in my case I believe it was a combination of cold and lack of stretching. When I was in track we use to stretch the calf by keeping one foot at a time placed completely flat on the floor and leaning forward- you will feel the strain in your posterior calf- and holding it for a minute or more a few times.
Hope this helps.
By Mike, 5/14/2006 @ 5:49 pm
I’ve had night cramps as well as calf pai n for years. I used to be a pretty fair athlete. I take a quinine pill every night before I go to sleep, and I no longer have night cramps. You used to be able to get quinine pills over the counter, but no longer. (I was told that it can cause arithmia to some people, if the doses are too high = though it’s not common - but you do need to speak to your doctor). You can always drink some quinine water, but it doesn’t taste too hot, and I’m not sure one glass or so will do the trick.
By Noor (Help Me), 5/23/2006 @ 2:46 pm
Hey People I am 13 years old but i have a major problem! I get charlie horses and i dont know how to prevent them! Your Comments were great but i just came back from school and i feel a charlie horse comming along. I think i should go to a doctor. I need some help i am trying to move my foot alot and not trying to walk perfectly on it but it is kinda hard!!!! So one said try to eat a bananna and one said keep your leg straight if you can help me that would be great i feel it very close pray for me (that it doesnt happen) PEACE AND I WILL PRAY FOR YOU!
By Bob, 5/23/2006 @ 11:17 pm
Last night i had a charlie horse, was sleeping like a log when I started dreaming that my leg hurt, woke up and BAM excruciating pain, fell out of the bed, my dog looked at me like what the hell is wrong, i screamed and said lots of cuss words, despite the pain knew i had to stretch it out and it went away after a minute or so… leg is still hella sore today, been messaging it, i don’t think there is any cause, or anything you can do to prevent them, my wife got them all the time when she was pregnant, but she doesn’t get them anymore, if anybody knows how to stop them please let us know!
By Beckie, 6/2/2006 @ 2:58 pm
I have suffered with leg cramps for years in the middle of the night, most recently inner thigh which are a lot of fun?!?!? My old remedy was to take Advil and press my leg hard on the wall with my leg or legs
After years of talking to doctors and getting the usual calcium, potassium speech, a retired nurse volunteer at my job said, Benadryl, it contains an ingredient that helps with leg cramps.
This has changed my life, it works for me! If I take Benadryl before I go to bed, I rarely get one. However, if I forget and they hit me, I take Benadryl, press my leg hard against the wall and within minutes they subside.
Needless to say, Benadryl beside my bed is my best friend because if I wake up and I can take another dose, I do it as a preventative but I usually only take it once, right at bedtime.
You might try it and see if it works for you
By Colleen, 6/3/2006 @ 10:29 am
Recently, i have been getting charlie horses once a week, always inmy left calf and saturday morning around 4:30 am. I dance everyday, so is it possible that this problem is from dancing? Also, i have read peoples comments above and i do not have enough calcuim in my body doctors have told me, i have osteopenia could that be another cause?
By Scoot, 6/5/2006 @ 4:26 pm
Hey all, I am pretty sure that the cause of these terrible occurances are a result of dehydration(lack of water) causing the muscles to cramp. But as I am no doctor I could be wrong but try taking down some glasses of water in the couple hours before you hit the sack or just drink enough water througout the day to begin with. It’s worth a try. Peace all!
By Susan, 6/14/2006 @ 3:47 pm
I have leg cramps or charlie horses quite often, in the last few months I’ve started having them once or twice a week. Sometimes my calf muscles…pulling my big toe on the leg thats cramping up toward my head usually stops calf cramps…usually. What are killer are the inner thigh cramps. I had thought I found a way to stretch them out, lay on your side, cramping side up and lift you leg that the cramp is in straight up, this was working great for me but last night a killer cramp hit my right inner thigh and my wonder stretch didn’t work, it did make the cramp a little less painful but it didn’t make it go away. As a nice bonus I got a calf cramp in the opposite leg and my right foot got a cramp across the top of it. I don’t know what the cure is but I sure wish someone would come up with something…my poor, long suffering husband wishes they would too, he’s so sick of being jerked out of sleep by a screaming wife.
By amanda, 6/14/2006 @ 9:23 pm
My husband has been waking up for the past few nights with cramps in both of his thighs…He stumbbles out into the living room and starts trying to relax and breath, it takes his breath away…It wakes me up everytime…they last for around 4-5 min, wich is pretty long for a cramp. A few people on here stated that they started drinking this diet stuff or something like it? That made me realize that my husband just started a whey protien diet, he’s very active and healthy. Maybe its this protein drink or something. But he’s also been removing a historic barn board for board, wich is causing his body to do things he normally wouldn’t do.. but the poor guy…I feel so bad for him…it makes me cry every time it has happened. Last night, as a last resort, I actually decided to pray while he was cramping, and the minute i did, the cramping pain stopped and he had no soreness today. Its basically the only thing I could think of and it worked!
By michael, 6/27/2006 @ 2:16 pm
I just had one in the back of my right calf for 15 hours straight, hours before I went to sleep and hours after I woke back up, they were so bad this time my entire body contorted with every pulse.. I’ve gotten them before when driving, pain so bad all i could do was close my eyes and stomp my feet (ironically on the gas pedal). They definately suck, and I have a little routine I do to get rid of them cause I get them for extremely extended periods of time. First I drink a glass of water, I eat a big meal with red meat and veggies, I put it on a heat pad, then I walk around, then I cool it down with an ice pad. I dunno, I only get them when I exercise, which could go along with the theory above about switching use of the calf muscle from say, sex and sitting around to stretching and running. That routine abates most of the pain, and if you can get a good lady (or man if you’re female) to massage it, it doesn’t really do much to stop the cramp but it sure feels good and lessens the pain immensely.
Well, I hope you all do well.
By niney123, 6/28/2006 @ 11:09 pm
I just had one about a few minutes ago when I was sitting on my bed with my laptop on my lap. It was very painful because right when I thought the pain was going away, another came on and I started biting my pillow. I hope someone finds a way to cure these.
By Bill, 6/29/2006 @ 10:44 am
I had one last night. My calf locked up and felt like a softball. Having once been a competitive swimmer getting charlie horses almost daily, here’s one thing to do: Try to touch your knee with your toes. The idea is to stretch out the calf so it can’t ball up. If you can, grab your foot and pull your toes towards your knee hard until the cramp releases. Then don’t point your toes back down for a long time (or else “it’s baaaaack”). If you can point your toes at your knees instantly when you feel one coming on, you might be able to prevent it from locking up, or at least be able to reduce its intensity.
Oh yeah… if you have one during sex, don’t say anything about it. She’ll look at your face, hear you scream, and think she gave you the best climax ever. A charlie horse will definitely help you last longer, too. Don’t ask me how I know this!
Now if I could just figure out what is causing them so often lately! Could it be blood pressure meds? (using diovan here)
By Scoot, 7/6/2006 @ 9:42 pm
Water! thats all i have to say. What happens to a plant when its short of water? It crinkles and shrinks. For some of you this is probably what is happening to your muscles as a result of a lack of water. So especially when you exercise you should get lots of water to compensate for the loss of water through sweat. *Fact* The average human being needs at least 2 litres of water a day. (thats with minimal physical activity)
By Bev, 7/8/2006 @ 8:11 am
I am 60 years old and have never had on going symptoms of charlie horses or leg cramps until recently. One persons suggestion about lack of water was interesting to me as I found that the common factor when I get them is that I have been mowing my yard, or exercising, and realizing that I have not had much water that day. I normally drink the minimum amount of water to keep from being dehydrated. Why I am getting them now, in this time of my life, I am not sure of. I have asked around about the antidote. Several people have told me to try pickle juice. Not very appealing, but neither was the pain that causes my feet, ankles to turn in and my toes to turn every direction. So to make this short, I tried it. I drank some water too, but also took the pickle juice, and I was relieved within 10 minutes of the pain. Did not get the pain during the night, which was common at bedtime.
May this will help you too. By the way, anyone know what in the pickle juice could help? Maybe vinegar?
By Tes, 7/11/2006 @ 12:07 am
I hate it when I get them.. but the next time you do.. point your toes up.. or even have someone help you push your foot up.. it goes away instantly.
By lula, 7/11/2006 @ 7:39 pm
my grandmother always used rubbing alcohol,she would rub it on the leg where the cramp was,my husband and i also use it,and the cramps goes away immediately,hope this is helpful?i know it is for me and my husband.
By Dave, 7/13/2006 @ 8:30 am
I got one this morning in my left calf. This is the second time it has happened to me.
This morning, as I woke, I stretched and there was Mr. Charlie and his horse. The psin was intense and I could feel the muscle in my calf all balled up.
I sat in bed for a few seconds as the pain grew, then I decided to stand up.
As I stood, it was quite painful, but after the weight was on my leg and I was standing, the pain subsided.
A few hours late now, and I still have some dull pain in my leg, but nothing serious. I recommend that you try to stand on the leg when you get your next one.
By Joan, 7/15/2006 @ 3:45 pm
Well it’s been helpful to hear others going through the same thing. I get them periodically. It seems to coincide with the fact that I do long shifts on my feet as well as some of the other people who wrote in. I think it has to do with working on a concrete floor too. Not sure but this does seem to be a factor oddly enough. It seems to draw the energy from you somehow??? The lack of potassium seems to be another link too. Possibly the temps too-AC was on. When it’s happening it feels like the muscle is twisitng around and reshaping itself-like it has a mind of it’s own-like in the movie the alien! I looked down at my feet and they were contorted! Oh well another one of life’s mysteries I guess?
By Celeste Golino, 7/19/2006 @ 10:08 pm
I’ve had terrible charlie horses in both legs during the night, only recently. I get up and put (or try to) put my feet on the ground and usually the the pain subsides. This can happen to me twice or three times duing the night. I
don’t enjoy being awaken by this. Is there something out there that can help me?
By Clark, 7/20/2006 @ 8:44 pm
I’m going through a period of having them. Going to try quinine tonight.
A week ago, was having a dream, rolled over and fell out of bed. Lodged upper part of my body between bed and dresser. Was trying to get out and up when CH hit in the leg I needed to use to get up. Wow. Afterwords I just lay in bed for 45 minutes until had to get up.
By Gayle, 7/21/2006 @ 6:13 am
Well, I am among the sufferers of the dreaded “charlie horse”. I’ve been told to drink water, eat bananas…. yada, yada, yada. I’ve been limping for several days now and although I’ve had the (I thought) embarassing moment of having one during a sex-session with my husband…. I started screaming “oh God, help me!!!!”… which my husband thought was a turn-on and quickly, I mean quickly ended the session “if you know what I mean”. Then a few smacks in the head, stating “rub my leg, rub my leg” quickly led him to believe he wasn’t the stud he thought he was. lol Anyway, back to the original subject of “why me”, “what am I doing wrong”. I get them so bad I can’t stand on it and to straighten my leg and point my toes makes it worse. If I find any reasonable solution, beside cutting my friggin’ leg off, I’ll be sure to let you know.
Take care everyone!
By nadine, 7/21/2006 @ 6:33 pm
this definately sucks, i dont have a scrotum and i want a cure, they hurt like hell, and put me to tears, if anyone ever does find a cure that works, please let me know.
By sara, 7/25/2006 @ 12:27 am
oucch. i feel you guys’ pain. i’m alot younger than alot of you. i’m up at 1:24am. i had one last night(well 2 days ago.) and the pain hasn’t stopped. i work 8 hours on my feet serving food. but i’m awake right now because i’m wayy tired & can’t sleep b/c my left calf continuously cramps up. usually, the pain goes away when i walk around. but i’ve tried taking advil, sleeping with my foot up against the headboard (so my feet/toes would be pointed & stretched out.), i’m sitting here massaging my poor calf. the pain is horrible & my leg is tingling. AHH. please help me. what can i do to make this go away so i can get a good sleep. i’m totally drained right now.
thanks -sara
By Penny, 7/26/2006 @ 7:49 am
Hi all…I have been having charlie horse’s in my calves at night for months, at least 8 straight months. And have had them on and off for years but not as frequent. I get anywhere from 4-10 a night where I have to jump out of bed, run around my room and push the cramp out, they are no going ass far as into my feet. My doctor already did a circulatory test which came back fine. I drink a lot of fluids and eat well so I don’t think it is from that…Plese help…exhuastion is a normal part of life because of broken sleep all night. Quinine sulfate pills use to help but not anymore.
By Dolly, 7/26/2006 @ 8:42 pm
I feel so bad for you guys. My husband goes through this often. He hadn’t had a cramp for some time. Then last night, he went crazy. Two hit within 10 minutes of each other. He decided to take a quick warm shower and it seemed to give him some relief. I heard walking on a cold floor, like marble or tile, helps. But the warm water seemed to help him. Good Luck!!!
By Marilyn, 7/27/2006 @ 1:59 pm
I sympathize and suffer with each and everyone of you. I feel your pain! I’ve been getting charley horses since I was 12. I just turned 50 and I am still getting them! I guess it’s not as prevalent and important to those in the medical field. Otherwise there would be something you could take that would stop one once it start. After an xray as a teenager they stopped for a while. But if I have cold and cough I may get one in my chest, stomach, neck anywhere. Most of the time now when I have them I have them in my inner thigh.
I just started walking again and got a real bad one in my right thigh this morning that lasted almost 10 minutes. I left a message for my doctor to call me because something has to done. The pain is just too excruciating. Nothing seem to work to relieve the cramp. My doctor just called me she want me to go see a neurologist.
By Linda, 7/28/2006 @ 11:03 am
Like everyone else here I have had a charlie horse in both calves in three days. Found out the cause. I just started taking Vytorin a week ago. This statin can cause this. Dr. told me to take 1200 mg of Calcium and to take Magnesium,whatever the bottle recommneds. So if you take a statin like lipitor, pravachol,vytorin or any of the others and you have leg cramps, call your doctor.
By Laura, 7/29/2006 @ 7:49 am
I am yet another who is rudely awakened by a leg cramp (like just this morning!) and this is what I do which will ease the pain quite quickly. I get hold of my foot and toes and pull it back (toward my knee) as far as I can and stay like that til the knot in my muscle has no choice but to stretch out and relax. Even after I can feel it start to relax, I keep my toes stretched for about 5 minutes or so to be sure the cramp is totally stretched out. This has always worked for me and I hope it will help someone else in the middle of the night who’s looking for relief. God bless you!
By T, 7/30/2006 @ 8:07 am
Okay, but what if you can’t take calcium because it causes kidney stones?? The charlie horse pain can be severe but not as bad as the stones I get!!
I guess I am just meant to suffer!
By Sheryl, 8/4/2006 @ 2:10 am
Any clue why just all of the sudden I’m getting these in my feet, and bad? I’m just on my tiptoes to reach something or laying in bed (which laying on my stomach makes my foot stretch downwards) and GEEZ! Why just my feet and not calves, why all the sudden just the last week or so, why so easily, and why so frequently?
By Lisa, 8/6/2006 @ 1:14 pm
I read an earlier comment regarding Benadryl preventing Charlie Horses. I had been taking Tylenol PM for months because I have a hard time winding down at the end of the day and they help me stay asleep all night. I did not have one CH while taking it. This past week my 7 year old son had appendicitis. We were in the hospital and I was exhausted. I haven’t taken Tylenol PM for 5 nights now and I have had a CH 3 of the 5. One in each leg and one in my arm! I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck. There has to be some connection. I’ll be trying the Tylenol PM tonight for sure!
By Lisa, 8/6/2006 @ 2:11 pm
I forgot to add, the key ingredient in Tylenol PM (other than the Tylenol) is Dyphenhydramine (Benadryl!)
By nico dima, 8/6/2006 @ 8:47 pm
I had the experience of a charlie horse last night. I had one in each of my legs but at different times. The first one had me screaming and rolling off the bed. I fell back to sleep and then I had another one some time later. This morning both of my calves were sore beyond belief and now at the end of the night they are still aching. The last time I had one was when I was pregnant about 3 1/2 years ago. I think they suck.
By Chad K, 8/12/2006 @ 3:14 pm
I have recently started getting a charlie horse in my right calf at night, but both calves have stared to take on a cramping feeling during the day or night whe I try to stretch my legs and point my toes. I haven’t had one in over 10 years. I’ve started some new meds in the past 2 months and have bursitis in my left thigh, but that does not explain the right calf cramping over the left. I usually sit alot being in the computer field, but I bought a house recently and have started mowing the yard every weekend. That might be contributing (although that does not seem like enough excersize to cause this).
It’s true that if you bring your toes up, toward your head, it stretches the calf muscle and helps it go away. The thing is, when you are actually having a charlie horse, it’s hard to make your foot go flat on the floor, much less up. I’d rather have this than cancer. Hopefully someone will figure it out some day, but I bet it’s low on the research ladder.
By Chrissy, 8/18/2006 @ 10:47 am
Since I have been pregnant I have had a charlie horse EVERY night! I have found the best way to make the severe pain stop is to get up and walk on the leg. It sounds suicidal but believe me, the pain goes away quicker.
By Monica, 8/18/2006 @ 11:54 am
I just had 4 charlie horse in the same leg last night. I thought I was going to die! My mother workes in a nursing home and several of her older patients swear by putting a bar of soap in the botton of the bed. This sounds crazy but I think it works. When I was in high school I always got charlie horse but after I put the soap in the bed I didn’t seem to get them. If I did I would go looking for the soap and sure enough, it had fallen out. If doesn’t matter what kind of soap you use, just unwrap it and place it in the bottom, between the sheets. After the pain finally went away, I hobbled to the bathroom and got a bar of soap. I hope you don’t think I’m totally crazy and at least try it. Everyone has soap and what’s it going to hurt???
By Amy, 8/23/2006 @ 8:57 am
Is there any chance that birth control can cause charley horses? Possible from a hormone imbalance? I used to get them about once per year but now I get them 2-3 nights per week. I recently swiched my birth control and I’m wondering if this could be the cause.
By Pat, 8/23/2006 @ 2:56 pm
Well, I guess last night was my turn to endure this feeling of what I would equate to as spikes being driven thru my calves. It woke me out of a deep sleep and at first I thought was still dreaming, but the PAIN made it clear to me, I was not. I have not had a Charlie Horse in 20+ years and forgot how it felt. After about 15 minutes, when I was able to actually stretch my legs and stand up, I hobbled over to the computer and checked out the internet; found this site (thank God). Thanks for the info from all of you. There was alot of helpful hints. I sure do NOT want to experience that again, if at all possible.
By Tony Dee, 8/24/2006 @ 6:35 am
I am taking Lotrel 5/40, Triamterene/HCTZ 75/50 cut in half and was taking lipitor 20 mg. I was on Caduet, and my doctor switched me to the Lotrel. A few weeks ago I awoke with a Charlie Horse in my left calf. I have had these from time to time over my years in the gym. So, I stretched it out and massaged it away. Well this time it got worse! I had them over and over. At least the beginnings of them. At first my doctor took me off the water pill then the Lotrel instead. After some relief, it came back and with more intensity. I went back to him and he checked me out, and gave me Requip. Well after a few days of agony, he took me off of this and referred me to a neuroligist. Well..I haven’t gone yet…I feel that it is something in my meds. I normally don’t suffer from these kinds of things! I wish I had a real good answer to this! I have lost plenty of sleep rubbing my calves every night! And sleeping sitting up can make me pretty miserable!
By Ammon, 8/24/2006 @ 5:12 pm
I find wrapping hot wet towels around the legs helps best. I’ve been a victim of these “things” since I was a child. Sometimes they do not occur for months - even close to a year — but sometimes several nights in a row. I have a little twist, though, that no one here has mentioned. Sometimes the pain appears to be premarily in my shins instead of the calves (or in addition to the calves). Also, my toes lift up and bend backward — as though something were pulling them. The pain is really intense!
I have tried minerals, vitamins, and a host of other remedies. I can’t understand why our “so advanced” medical science cannot at least identify the cause! I’ll let you know if I find it — then maybe one of you can find the CURE!!!
By Emily, 8/31/2006 @ 10:42 pm
Well, I got a CH at about 4:30 this morning. It wasn’t the pain that woke me up, though. It was my own yells of pain that woke me. I’m still sore and I’ve tried everything I can think of all day. I ate a banana, I always drink tons of water, and I take a calcium supplement every day. The only difference is that I’ve been working out a lot more over the past few weeks, and yesterday I took my dog to a walking park that has a lot of hills in the track. I think maybe that could have had something to do with it?
By jim, 9/2/2006 @ 4:24 pm
I have been getting ch’s for about 6 yrs. I get them in my legs, feet, and my jaw. The first time I got them in my upper and lower legs at the same time. I rolled out of bed and started hitting my legs, my wife thought I was fighting with someone on the floor. The doctors have no clue, I have tried eating and vitamins and drink tons of water, but I still have them. I have not changed my life style at all in the last 10 yrs, so I just want to share my comments and I know what you feel….jim
By Linda in CO, 9/3/2006 @ 5:28 pm
I hope this helps. I have had CH’s off and on for years. When I was more athletic I got them. When I was pregnant I got them. The calf CH’s were fairly easy: straighten out your leg with toes pulled towards you (as many have said previously).
Then I started getting then infrequently and have taken potassium religiously and take magnesium and calcium occasionally.
But in the last few months I have had a few occasions with the ENTIRE leg in spasm. As Linda Van said above, you can’t stretch that out. The only thing that helped was walking. At first the foot was cramped and twisted, but I figured that I couldn’t see it (it being 1-2 am) and who cares, I’m walking. And I walk (sometimes eating bananas and taking potassium and drinking water).
The NEW ones are inner thigh up by the pubic area and so intense I just about screamed. It is SOOOO intense. I would rather have a baby. The one who describe a stake driven through your leg was right on! I had accompanying knee and maybe foot cramps but I didn’t care. I walked on it, ate bananas (probably O.Ding on potassium) and then had one 30 min. later in the other leg. All together, I think I had 4 or 5 with some of the spasm going down into my quads. Finally, I was hitting it with my other foot and just exhausted. My thigh is killing me today and I am afraid to go to bed.
One more thing, my mother got her doctor to prescribe quinine and I think it worked. I am going to do all of the above, including the soap, the pelvic press (or whatever) and hopefully get some sleep.
Oh, BTW, I was on my feet all day yesterday, lots of stress and have been starting a bicycling program….also just bought “The Miracle Ball Method” so I’ll report if it works.
By Rachel, 9/8/2006 @ 8:44 pm
I’m with all yall, I play soccer, and right now I have the biggest charlie horse in my thigh, and I can hardly run, at all.. but, my coach is a butt and flips out if I don’t.. sucks, huh?
By Erica, 9/9/2006 @ 9:48 pm
I woke up Friday morning with charlie horses in both of my calves. I was in tears and screaming at the top of my lungs. for an entire 8 minutes i laid there in complete agony. A day later, my legs still hurt & I don’t have a clue as to why this happened to me all of a sudden. Typically I’ll get them in my feet and toes while I’m doing Pilates, but I’ve never had anything this severe..
By Barbara, 9/10/2006 @ 8:22 pm
I just got THE WORST charlie horse in my left foot, and it lasted for endless minutes. I haven’t had a bad one like this in years and didn’t know what to do to relieve it as I’m already taking Aleve. It finally stopped and I quickly ate a banana, because I heard also that its a lack of potassium.
By Mitzie, 9/11/2006 @ 1:20 pm
I am off work today and ran errands all morning. I got home and took a 45 nap and woke up at 1:30 p.m. in the worse pain of my life in my right calf. I tried everything to stop to pain, however it had to run it’s course. My calf is still very sore and tender. This is the worse CH yet. I haven’t had one in a few months. I have never got one during the day. The only common thing is that I was sleeping; good I might add! I can hardly walk on. I believe it will take a few days to work it out.
By Lori, 9/13/2006 @ 7:47 am
LADIES All you need to do is when you suddenly get a nasty charlie hoses. KEEP YOUR LEG STRAIGHT OUT AND PULL YOUR TOES TOWARDS YOU. WORKS LIKE MAGIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Arlene, 9/17/2006 @ 5:09 am
I have been researching CH for my mom who has suffered for years. There is a great over the counter medicine called Hyland Leg cramps. They have two kind. One goes under the tongue and is fast acting and other is swallowed and takes longer. Theses pills have been a God Send for my mom for over 2 years. you can get them at a health food store or long acting might be found at a local Pharmact. But lately she has to take about 6 of the fast acting pills to work where as prior she took one as she felt them come on and it prevented an attack. Hyland’s Leg Cramps has quinine in it. But I have told many people about this medication and they are amazed. Hope this helps you all, Let me know. We are going to try the benedryl next.
By Cheryl, 9/17/2006 @ 10:13 pm
I am so relieved to find this website and that I am not alone with these leg cramps- Although sometimes I will have one on the back of the upper leg where the leg muscle concaves and twitches, the worst ones are the inner thigh that almost go up to the public bone-sometimes I have had this happen in both thighs at the same time and it is so God-awful painful that I panic and am out of breath. I get up immediately and pace up and down the hall, (it’s too painful to sit down) pop 3 calcium/magnesium/zinc pills, eat a banana, take advil and lots of water or tonic water w/ quinine..The pain can be so severe you just want to cut your thighs off. The pain sometimes easily lasts 5-10 minutes and then subsides but can be very exhaustive. I have found also the mind-body connection works too-if I don’t focus on the pain and try to relax and breathe while pacing or standing, the pain will be less sharp. The next day, I will get very tired with achy leg and thigh muscles…as though I have run a marathon and wonder if I have a lactic acid build-up.
I have to learn to take my calcium/mag pills daily and prophylactically like vitamins…I had stomach gastric bypass surgery 4 years ago and they say you don’t absorb vitamins/minerals as easily…and it seems these cramps have increased since then. Thanks for the tip on using benadryl or tylenol PM and this Hyland Leg Cramp medication…apart from always having bananas around for the potassium and the tonic water by my bedside. Some websites also say to be careful and watch for symptoms of DVT’s (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and blood clots,which also have symptoms of cramping.
By Sammy, 9/20/2006 @ 7:11 am
Um…. i read someones comment that said they are here at 8:00 am looking for cures on charlie horses… and i laughed because thats exactly what i’m doing. so yeah, it hurts pretty bad. i cant walk on it, im more of jumping on my other leg. It sucks because i have to go to class today, aka a lot of walking. Looks like I’ll be taking the elevators today
By Harpo, 9/22/2006 @ 7:42 am
Yes, here also researching leg cramps. I have been having more and more frequently. Mostly in my calves but now occasionally in my sides/ stomach area and also thighs front and back. Ouch!
Possible theories - coffee/caffeine w/vanilla creamer,
over weight, take statin drugs and 5 or 6 others but have for years. I have been having trouble with the bottoms of my feet, as in “plantars facieitis” sp???? - tendons on bottom of feet that feel like a wide belt.
I wonder why sleep seems to be a common denominator?
oxygen level down? legs are saying, wake up, get up and walk and send me some blood with oxygen in it. ???????????????
Another theory - must be a terrorist plot. ;-0
By Linda in CO, 9/27/2006 @ 12:36 pm
Hi again,
I came back to see how everyone’s doing. BTW, Lori, when it is every muscle group in your leg, from your upper thighs to the toes, you can’t stretch it out. But walking on it, as EXCRUTIATING as it is, even if the foot is pulled inward, does help. It hurts like hell, and I think I talk all the while-loudly probably, and cussing too. The potassium sometimes helps, someone else says magnesium and some say calcium. So I do all of those. A friend said drink more milk, that the supplements don’t do it, so I do that too. Someone said electrolytes, so I drink a “sports recovery drink” which is also high in sodium. All of these worked. I haven’t had a CH for 3 weeks, but I haven’t been on my bike, either. Oh, and a muscle relaxant helped also. (Cyclobenziprine-I think it’s Flexeril.)
Good luck to all of you!
By Rei, 9/28/2006 @ 10:00 pm
I got one during swimming practice ( high school swim team) basically i was on my 60th lap and in the middle of the pool. I got one in both legs in the thigh and the calf. So i was basically in the worst pain ever, and i had to get fished out of the pool by one of my teammates. And i limped home, collapsing in the middle of the road about 10 times.
Basically you should breathe deeply, stretch, and massage your leg. It hurts but thats what you have to do.
By Trish, 9/30/2006 @ 10:21 am
Ok I get them every now & then. Forget all the screaming, massaging and pills. All you do is place one foot on top of the other criss crossing them. The pain goes away immediately. After the muscle relaxes then kinda spread the arch of the top foot over the bottom foot. Make slow movements for a few minutes until you can feel the muscle completely relaxed. Easy squeezie!! LOL
By Jeannie, 10/29/2006 @ 7:28 am
I am laughing because it seems that we are all up late at night trying to get some releif from a charlie horse. I always thought that a charlie horse is caused from a lack of water, potassium or calcium with water being the key. I find that I get charlie horses when I either haven’t had enough water or too much water. Lack of water or sweating will make your muscles bind up in the middle of the night or if you have had too much water or sweating out too much potassium or calcium out of your body can make your muscles bind up. Usually as soon as I can wake up enough to stop the drunken stagger that the cramp has send me into, I down as much water as I can (at least 32 oz). If this does not stop the cramp within about 10 minutes then you need to consume something to restore your potassium or calcium (Gatorade, banana, etc.). I was actually online tonight, looking for a list of foods that contain these things since I do not have any Gatorade or bananas in the house. Water also relieves the sore muscle the next day because it stops the cramp quickly and lubricates the muscle.
By Joy, 11/1/2006 @ 3:57 pm
My boyfriend gets these charlie horses in his inner thighs during the night. He figures it is from standing on a ladder to long during the day and going up and down on them as he is a painter.
He uses a heating pad on his leg and the heat relaxes the charlie horse I guess and it finally goes away. Just FYI. Give it a try.
The other thing for Charlie Horses in the calves is to take your finger nails thumb and forfinger and pinch your upper lip under the nose area as hard as you can and the charlie horse immediately leaves your legs. Works for me but may not work for others.
By Becky, 11/1/2006 @ 9:16 pm
I also got a cramp for the first time in years, one night ago. Then the next afternoon I took a nap and was jolted awake by the pain, in my other leg. I’ve been searching all over the place to find a cause and a cure, but there is just no way to tell the cause unless I go to a doctor. I’m on an iron supplement and was worried that maybe I was taking to much at once, but I can’t find any link between iron and leg cramps. I have to say that these “charlie horses” are the worst pain I have felt in a long, long time. I’ve been limping around for two days now and the pain doesn’t seem to be getting better. I think that maybe a heating pad would help, but I’m at school right now and mine is at home pretty far away. Okay there’s my story. I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets these.
By Mandy, 11/11/2006 @ 3:38 pm
I also have been getting charlie horses a lot lately in my calfs. When I was very little they used to hit the bottoms of my feet. Now they hit my hips, my calves, and most recently- my neck! What is going on?
By Just Plain Ed, 11/16/2006 @ 10:21 pm
I can so relate to ALL of you on here. I got one this morning, was in a deep sleep and as it started like clockwork my right legs shoots into the air and I wake up grinding my teeth in pain! I try to make it stop by grabbing onto my wife for dear life, but that doesn’t help…she’s so unsympathetic…”Just relax, baby..” she says. Great help she is. It lasted for about 2 minutes…but when you are abruptly awaken like that it feels like forever. I did my best to try to point my toes upward, but the cramp was fighting me the whole way. This is the second time within a week, the last time was in my left leg, just before getting ready to go to church–this time was an hour before I had to get up for work…while there people kept asking my why I was limping. *covers face wanting to cry*
I think God does have a sense of humor, and He cracks up seeing us flopping, and moaning, and tearing up from the pain that is the Charlie Horse.
By Kathy, 11/19/2006 @ 11:10 pm
I am in my middle 60 and I used to get CH quite often when very tired and one thing that worked like a magic is what Joy said. Try it: Take your thumb and forfinger and pinch your upper lip under the nose area as hard as you can and the charlie horse immediately leaves your legs. Worked for me every time when I used to have CH in my calves. I am looking to see if GH happens to upper leg, like thigh and apparently it does, but with me it is happening not while I am sleeping but when I am standing up! And if I lie down it seems to go away. I am not sure if what I feel, the pain, is CH, but it feels like GH pain so thought I’d look up. I have a doctor’s appointment and will see what he has to tell me! Take care everyone!
By Alexandra, 11/28/2006 @ 3:42 am
Hi! Well…I’m a 1st year high school student and I needed to research on something potassium could cure…I then found Charlie Horse and had no idea what it was! But when I found this web page, I guess I leard a whole lot more about this…so thanks to everyone! You really helped me out! I hope you all find a good and reliable cure.:)
By kathy, 12/14/2006 @ 9:37 am
I have read all 97 comments and can’t believe that no one has suggested vinegar - my husband and mother both get CHs and this is the only thing that works - they keep vinegar on the nite stand just in case. My mom also read recently rubbing bar soap (9 a suggested cure for a lot of things)on the area is helpful. 2 nites ago, my husband tried both and had relief within 2 minutes.
By Chris, 12/29/2006 @ 2:43 am
I am in a horrible predicament right now…
the other night, I heard a noise behind me so I turned my head to see what it was. I’m pretty sure that I did turned my neck a little too far or a little too fast, for now I have a horrible Charlie Horse in my neck, and it is near impossible to sleep. It also is very painfull and I would like advice on how to treat it.
By Just Plain Ed, 1/23/2007 @ 7:57 pm
Chris, it sounds like you may have to go to see your Dr about that. It may be more than a Charlie horse, perhaps a herniated disc?
By Just Plain Ed, 1/23/2007 @ 7:59 pm
Kathy I have heard that some pro sports teams have used Pickle Juice, to keep players hydrated and free from CH’s…I don’t know if it’s a proven remedy or not, but it doesn’t hurt to try.
By Cindy, 4/1/2007 @ 8:18 am
Last night I woke up six times and had to walk around my room to rid myself of charlie horses in my feet. I am a miserable person this morning. So miserable I got on the internet and started researching on ask.com, “how to prevent charlie horses while sleeping”. There were several sites. One sight is for the sale of a product called All Calm, active ingredient “magnesium citrate”. Has anyone used this product with good results? I would like to hear opinions before I buy. Thanks, miserable in Texas
By Jessica, 4/7/2007 @ 1:36 pm
well this mornign i woke up with a huge chrlie horse in my NECK!!! i’ve never heard if it till about about 2 years ago when i had my first one. I always get them at the beginning of my softball season. it hurts soo bad!!:( If anyone knows something to do that would be great! Please im begging u help me out!!!
By James, 4/19/2007 @