It can be from the inhaler, prednisone if you are on it, over exercise,low on potassium, dehydration, or a little of all those. People have different ideas, some swear by a bar of soap in the bed at night, I must have used the wrong kind because it never worked for me. Sometimes I just have to get up and walk them off, or rub my legs good to get circulation going. The only thing that has worked for me is pickle juice just before bed (for the saline) and sometimes tonic water, but the tonic quinine water can be dangerous if you take it to often. Also sometimes I have used the "Tucks" pads that have witch hazel on them, and rubbed my cramp with that, and that worked. I do not know if it was the rubbing or the witch hazel. Hope you find something that works

BJ

Yes, used to be leg cramps, Would almost jump out of bed to press the foot onto the floor and work the cramp out But lately, yes in the middle of the night, the cramps are now in my foot mostly in the ankle Feels like the ankle bone is trying to move out of my body , can't walk on it because the bottom of the foot is all curled up and each toe is going in different directions. I thought the calf cramps were bad but this foot/ankle nonsense is extremely painful. Also, a lot of "cracking sounds" go with this foot problem. I only take Prednisone when I have an infection (seldom do) so I believe this is a side effect of my Spriva or Advair or maybe both..

Forgot to mention....had a lot of calf cramps when I was still working. At that time, I blamed it on the fact that I was on my feet all day (worked at airport). I was not actively taking any particular meds at that time (retired in 2007).

Cramps become relatively common sooner or later. (Maturity, electrolyte imbalance, medications, dehydration, ???) They were a big shock to me they hurt and were totally unexpected.

Bjrapp hit it on the head, while you will discover a vast variety of suggested remedies, ultimately it will come down to whatever works for you. So try them all, because that is the Good News -> One of them or a combination WILL WORK* for you!

I have CHF so I have to monitor my fluid intake a tad closer than most so Im guessing my bouts come from my electrolytes and hydration getting out of balance, because I found increasing my water intake, and adding a Magnesium and Citracal+D supplement seems to make them go away. My pulmonologist suggested tonic water it appears to also help. I only drink it when Im cramping. Many have reported success with pickle juice. It doesnt work for me but then I cant stand the stuff so I probably dont want it to help. Smile.

[*Obviously if you still experience extreme cramping after trying all the remedies let your doctor/s know. May be something more serious is going on. But such conditions are rare, so dont panic yet. Smile]

Mine where coming from my Statin that I was taking I changed 3 times to different brands and they all in time cramped my legs. I quit taking any of them, my Internist ask me to try Cozaar not for the blood pressure but for the side affect it opens the veins in your legs and the blood can flow better. It worked for me. I have been on it for over a year and no leg cramps. However, my blood pressure sometimes gets to low...that is not good.

Where cramps or foot going to sleep, scares me is when you try to walk it out, you can lose your balance and fall.....usually get it if i sit too long on computer without moving....

Used to have terrible jerking and spasms at nites that i posted about here...they just stopped all of a sudden n never had one since...maybe 4 months now....they really scared me most......

I started having them occasionally many years ago before I was on any kind of medications. As I grew older, they became more frequent. Increasing my intake of magnesium and potassium has really helped but on the very rare occasion that I get foot or leg cramping, I pop a Hyland's Leg Cramp tablet and within just a few minutes, the cramping is gone and doesn't return that day or night. I get the pills at Walmart but I've also seen them at Dollar General. Good luck to you in finding a remedy. Those things are miserable.

I had painful foot, ankle and leg cramps several times a day/night. I read that a major cause of these cramps is dehydration. I began to monitor my daily water intake and was surprised to discover I was not drinking nearly enough. Drinking more water helped dramatically.

Best wishes,
Susan

Thank you all for your responses :) I drink plenty of water and don't exercise too much so I think it must be the Symbicort. it started after I started taking it like I am supposed to. I got some potassium tablets yesterday and took one after supper last night and no cramps :) Think I will get some kiwi and bananas try that. Hate to take pills if I don't have to.

Thanks again for your input!
Hugs to all.

I too have been plagued with these lovely contortions for many years (long before dx and meds) and they have only worsened over time ... started with calf, then feet (arches/toes), then hands/fingers, upper thighs and yes the pain is excruciating and at times while the initial sharpness would go away, a dull ache (like being punched) would last for days. I found this on Web MD ...

POSSBILE CAUSES: (I tend to believe mine are due to circulation especially in light of COPD which impacts cardiovascular functionality)

Poor blood circulation
Over exertion of muscles
Insufficient stretching before exercising
Exercising in heat
Muscle fatigue
Dehydration
Low Magnesium and/or potassium
Calcium deficiency (pregnant women)
Pinched Nerve

MEDICATIONS (side affects)

Water pills (to remove fluid from the body)
Aricept (for Alzheimer's)
Prostigmine (for myasthenia gravis
Procardia (for angina or high b/p)
Evista (for osteoporosis)
Brethine/Proventil/Ventolin (asthma/COPD med)
Tasmar (parkinsons)
Statins (for cholesterol)

Thus, you may have 1 or more that are contributing. Personally, the pickle juice works (and the taste is good - if you like pickles) but due to frequency the juice is gone before I can eat all the pickles, and that became expensive. It is a little bitter, but I found 2 table spoons of vinegar (white / cider) works within 3-5 minutes! But as I said it can be bitter going down ... but I look at it as 30 seconds of that is better than the hours of the pain.

Since I started wearing graduated compression socks/stockings I haven't had the problem. For me, the cramps and sometimes swelling is caused by poor circulation. It took me a few tries for the right size, but I finally hit on a type and size that I wear day and night.

One thing I wanted to add was that prior to trying the compression hose, as requested by my Dr., there were test done to rule out some more critical issues e.g. blood clot.

I chose to try the graduated compression stockings as a result of some discussions here. I did not seek medical advice about whether I should try them and, if so, what sizes/types. I may have had less trial and error if I'd discussed this with my Dr., but he hadn't mentioned this as an option after the test results didn't show any critical issues.

For me, poor circulation due to COPD makes sense - not related to the meds.

Thank you all so much :) Y'all are always so helpful. It is the symbicort because if I don't take it I don't get the leg cramps. I take it and I do.

I experimented a couple times and got the same results so at least I know what is causing it. The potassium tablets work and so did eating 2 kiwi so I'll try to keep that in the house, but if not home or I don't get to the store I always have the supplement to fall back on.

Problem solved! :) Thanks again.

A magnesium deficiency is easy to correct. Magnesium is vital for good health and eliminating leg cramps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d55y4yOnn3c

It is recommended to take a magnesium supplement when you take Vitamin D.

Breathebe: thanks so much for the very informative link. I am so going to look into this, as very much relates to me.