[poliscmjr]

This past week I've been getting charlie horses! I've been keeping my feet up because of the swelling so I'm trying to keep a lot of pressure off of them. I also have been eating a banana a day to avoid charlie horses, and drink at least 64oz of water a day.

Any other suggestions? Please?!?!

TIA

[angelic_ky]

charlie horses, i assume you mean bad leg cramps (here charlie horses usually means a large painful bruise on the leg)... this probably sounds weird but every night when i lay down in bed i would 'write' the alphabet with my feet (running writting style in low case); it's not so much doing the alphabet as it's a form of exercise to get the blood flowing into your legs and the alphabet has a good combination of circles and lines for use as exercise.... also try not to sit nor stand for too long; i was getting them a lot cos i was on home rest and with nothing else to do i was on the computer so i made sure i got up about once an hour and walked around the house for about 5 mins

[MommaColleen]

Other than the banana thing I don't have any advise to avoid them. But, when you get one try to stand flat foot on a cold floor. For some reason that seems to make them go away.

HTH a little.

[poliscmjr]

They are just the worst! The calf cramp actually woke me up out of a sound sleep! I really hope my last few weeks of pregnancy aren't filled with these!

[purelegance]

i got those during my pregnancy too. only thing i did was try to keep my toes pointed up & be careful when stetching in the morning.

[kjdama]

I was so hoping not to have any this time around, but last Saturday I woke up at 6am with my first, and it was the most painful charlie horse I've ever had!!! And of course, while I was literally screaming in pain, DH was snoring away, oblivious to my pain. My poor DD woke up though and tried to help me through the pain.

I never knew that bananas helped with controlling charlie horses... I just bought a bunch a couple days ago, partly becasue at first the kids were asking for some, and now they won't eat them. I'll eat them instead, just to avoid having another charlie horse!! Since last Saturday, I've had minor ones every day.

[poliscmjr]

It's the potassium (sp) in the banana that is good for charlie horses. Orange juice also has a lot.

[kjdama]

Originally Posted by poliscmjr

It's the potassium (sp) in the banana that is good for charlie horses. Orange juice also has a lot.

AHA! Thanks for clarifying that!! I think one reason why I had such a bad charlie horse the other day was becasue I didn't drink that much water, or not as much as I normally do. Instead I actually had a couple of sodas- and that is a rare occasion for me! I think that day we ordered pizza and sodas to eat at the pool...

I normally do drink only water, and occasionally a few other non-carbonated beverages, but mostly water.

I'll keep up on my banana supply now though!!! !

[allisonx]

I've been getting them tons too. DH says drink water and my mom buys me tons of bananas. Other than that I have no advice. :/ I get them in my upper thigh and they hurt reallyreally bad. I have to be careful when I stretch in the morning.

[MiaCamille]

Originally Posted by purelegance

i got those during my pregnancy too. only thing i did was try to keep my toes pointed up & be careful when stetching in the morning.

yep i had the same things, don't strech that's when the come.