leg cramp?

Bunnylingus · 6th April 2006, 7:42am

For a while now, Ive been getting cramp in my legs when Im asleep, and theyre still pretty sore throughout the day/next day. Also, even if I stretch my legs off before I do any form of exercise (From dancing like a looney to just a fairly brisk walk) I get a sharp pain up the muscle in the outer side of my lower leg (Cant mind the name) thats actually really uncomfortable after a while more than anything.

So, any ideas why? Im overweight, but Im fairly fit, and my diet is normally pretty good. (lots of fresh fruit and veg etc)

Thanks

tw199y · 6th April 2006, 7:44am

any funny sensations in your feet, any obvious difference in colour between the legs, ie is one pink and one blue/white or red?

Bunnylingus · 6th April 2006, 7:56am

Nope but Ive had numbness in my toes a lot recently, and pain in my toes a bit too now you mention it.

tw199y · 6th April 2006, 8:09am

is one foot colder than the other?

Bunnylingus · 6th April 2006, 8:19am

Not particularly no.

tw199y · 6th April 2006, 8:23am

ok, I would maybe think about seeing your doctor, just purely because the pain is there on rest.
Do you get a cramping pain in your calfes when you walk, and if so how far do you go before it starts?

Bunnylingus · 6th April 2006, 8:24am

Ummm...ppfft. *thinks*

For about 5 minutes maybe? Not very long anyway, and whenever I wear heels I get it quite quickly.

Yeah, I wasnt sure if maybe Id done something to a muscle, its really uncomfortable more than anything.

tw199y · 6th April 2006, 8:29am

if its is causing you loats of problems see you gp.
you'r young so i wouldnt think its anything to bad.
If it comes after wearing heels it may as you say just be a strained muscle. try wearing "flat" shoes for a couple of days and then if you have to wear heels build the height up gradually.

Foxglove · 6th April 2006, 8:56am

I spoke to the Sports Physio at Ipswich Town Football Club about the exact same thing as I often get crap in my calf muscles, toes and occasionally in the muscles around my hip. It is also something that happens when I sleep. He said to ensure that I had not cut out all salt in my diet and told me that it was perfectly normal in some people. It usually happens if I have walked alot during the day and is because I don't then do stretching exercises after - although who does if they are just walking alot?

However, if you are concerned then a GP visit or call to the NHS helpline would not be unreasonable.

Bunnylingus · 6th April 2006, 8:59am

Cheers - I reckon Ive maybe strained a muscle or something.

Its just really uncomfortable, and my sleep's bad enough as it is.

See, I normally do wear flat shoes, just noticed on Sat when I had my mega heels of doom on that it was really sore trying to dance. Dunno if maybe that was my own fault for wearing silly shoes.

Foxglove · 6th April 2006, 9:05am

Heels will strain your calf muscles if you are not used to wearing them as your muscles are being held in an unusual position. If you walked quite far and danced alot then seems reasonable that they would have been strained as you were using them in a different way than you normally do. I don't think there is anything to worry about but if you are concerned then a quick trip to your GP would reassure you.

Mrs.Evil of Hesselink · 6th April 2006, 9:40am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxglove

I often get crap in my calf muscles, toes and occasionally in the muscles around my hip. It is also something that happens when I sleep.

Ew.

Yeah, I was gonna say the salt thing.

There's also some acupressure thing you can do with your top lip - you squeeze it just as the cramp (not crap Holly) comes on and it stops it. Sounds mental, and I've no idea how it works but it usually does.

Brookie · 6th April 2006, 9:50am

Welcome to my world. my diagnosis you wear silly high shoes alot of the time which don't help, also really flat ballet pumps arent good for you either. Wear trainners for a while, see if that helps. Also you can sometimes get this odd sensation by smoking on certain contraceptive pills.

Foxglove · 6th April 2006, 10:05am

Oops - Laura, trust you to spot that

bikuki · 6th April 2006, 10:14am

Have you got asthma and are on inhalers? I find that when I've got an infection and my asthma flares up (which is the only time I ever use my blue inhaler) I get horrible cramps in my legs, especially when I'm asleep. It's a known side effet of the inhalers. Are you on any steroids at all?