Pain

I have been experiencing some uncomfortable leg cramps at night when I
finally get to sleep. What is it I'm doing or lacking in my diet? These
have been the type that wake me up out of a dead sleep screaming in pain
with cramps in my calves and feet. I am getting plenty of water and I am
also eating a banana a day normally. ALOT of leafy greens(spinach
mostly). This has only been happening since I lowered my carbs some more
to almost Atkins Induction levels (25-30 net carbs per day) to get
myself kickstarted again and added mileage to my walks and biking(a
total of 3) Any ideas?

Susan
260/219/160

---
3weeks 1days 2:56hours of being smoke-free, 882 cigs not smoked, $163.17
saved, 3day 1:30hours of my life saved

I am not sure if this is related to Atkins, but I found this on
ivillage.com:

Nightly Leg Cramps

I'm 46 and have started playing golf again. I am getting leg cramps during
the night. What causes them and what can I do to prevent them?






The medicinal solution has always been quinine, but leg cramps are either
calcium- or magnesium-related, and quinine is not a nutrient.

Consider a supplement in a two-to-one ratio of calcium to magnesium. Take
only 500-1000 mgs. of magnesium -- more than that and it can cause diarrhea.

If the cramps are worse around a woman's period, I suggest 100 mgs. of
vitamin B-6 each day. Sometimes it makes everything work better. Hope this
helps!


--
Email me at:
perpleglow(AT)comcast.net


"Susan Jones-Anderson" wrote in message
...
I have been experiencing some uncomfortable leg cramps at night when I
finally get to sleep. What is it I'm doing or lacking in my diet? These
have been the type that wake me up out of a dead sleep screaming in pain
with cramps in my calves and feet. I am getting plenty of water and I am
also eating a banana a day normally. ALOT of leafy greens(spinach
mostly). This has only been happening since I lowered my carbs some more
to almost Atkins Induction levels (25-30 net carbs per day) to get
myself kickstarted again and added mileage to my walks and biking(a
total of 3) Any ideas?

Susan
260/219/160

---
3weeks 1days 2:56hours of being smoke-free, 882 cigs not smoked, $163.17
saved, 3day 1:30hours of my life saved

I found another link that could help as well:
http://www.atkinsfriends.com/chatranscript.shtml
*********
Question:
So for people with leg cramps....how much should they take of potassium? Or
should they just use Vitamin E?

NUTRITIONIST:
The amount of potassium available in health food store supplements can
safely be taken in addition. Sunflower seeds are a good source, but be
careful of the amount as there are 4 grams of carbohydrates per ounce.
Minimum vitamin E dose is usually 1 capsule 400 units at bedtime. If the leg
cramps occur at bedtime, the E should be taken at bedtime

***********

I did Atkins for 3 years about 3 yrs ago and I never had leg cramps, but I
seem to recall them being mentioned in his book.... did you read the book?


--
Email me at:
perpleglow(AT)comcast.net


"Susan Jones-Anderson" wrote in message
...
I have been experiencing some uncomfortable leg cramps at night when I
finally get to sleep. What is it I'm doing or lacking in my diet? These
have been the type that wake me up out of a dead sleep screaming in pain
with cramps in my calves and feet. I am getting plenty of water and I am
also eating a banana a day normally. ALOT of leafy greens(spinach
mostly). This has only been happening since I lowered my carbs some more
to almost Atkins Induction levels (25-30 net carbs per day) to get
myself kickstarted again and added mileage to my walks and biking(a
total of 3) Any ideas?

Susan
260/219/160

---
3weeks 1days 2:56hours of being smoke-free, 882 cigs not smoked, $163.17
saved, 3day 1:30hours of my life saved

I did Atkins for 3 years about 3 yrs ago and I never had leg cramps,
but I
seem to recall them being mentioned in his book.... did you read the
book?


--
Email me at:
perpleglow(AT)comcast.net


I've grazed the book on several diff occasions, I am not doing Atkins. I
am doing the Susan-WOL lol
Thanks for the information, I gotta figure out why I'm getting these
cramps.

Susan
260/219/160

---
3weeks 1days 3:20hours of being smoke-free, 883 cigs not smoked, $163.36
saved, 3day 1:35hours of my life saved

I get these severe leg cramps (my family calls them Charlie Horses). And I
usually can trace it to dehydration or potassium. Sometimes, If I exercise
intensely, with a lot of heaving squatting, I'll get them while my legs are
cooling down. I must use very sturdy knee wraps when I lift and we've
traced some cramping to extended wrapping. I've also heard calcium
deficiency can be the culprit. Oh yes, I can't do straight walking
well...that gives me shin splints and Charlie Horses...must stay away from
the tread mill. Maybe your additional walking is the culprit. There is a
trainer at the gym who runs a lot and is a bear when it comes to properly
fitting shoes, getting your gait corrected and using OTC orthotics to
correct as necessary. Good luck, they are terrible, I know. Remember, just
stretch your leg and hold your foot at 90 degrees and try to will the muscle
to relax...sounds weird but I do it. Elise


"Susan Jones-Anderson" wrote in message
...
I have been experiencing some uncomfortable leg cramps at night when I
finally get to sleep. What is it I'm doing or lacking in my diet? These
have been the type that wake me up out of a dead sleep screaming in pain
with cramps in my calves and feet. I am getting plenty of water and I am
also eating a banana a day normally. ALOT of leafy greens(spinach
mostly). This has only been happening since I lowered my carbs some more
to almost Atkins Induction levels (25-30 net carbs per day) to get
myself kickstarted again and added mileage to my walks and biking(a
total of 3) Any ideas?

Susan
260/219/160

---
3weeks 1days 2:56hours of being smoke-free, 882 cigs not smoked, $163.17
saved, 3day 1:30hours of my life saved

"Susan Jones-Anderson" wrote in message
...
I have been experiencing some uncomfortable leg cramps at night when I
finally get to sleep. What is it I'm doing or lacking in my diet? These
have been the type that wake me up out of a dead sleep screaming in pain
with cramps in my calves and feet. I am getting plenty of water and I am
also eating a banana a day normally. ALOT of leafy greens(spinach
mostly). This has only been happening since I lowered my carbs some more
to almost Atkins Induction levels (25-30 net carbs per day) to get
myself kickstarted again and added mileage to my walks and biking(a
total of 3) Any ideas?

Potassium. When I'm short on potassium I get muscle cramps. Just a
thought...

det

I have suffered from leg and feet cramps my entire life. I can't eat bananas
for that easy potassium source. In any case, my doctor told me to take
Benedryl on those nights I think I'm going to have trouble. I don't remember
his exact explanation, but it sure works for me. I take it earlier enough in
the evening so when I get up at 6:00 a.m. I'm not "hung over" from it. It
has really helped me. I can usually tell by the way my legs and feet feel
towards the end of the day if I'm going to have a rough night.

Melissa


"Susan Jones-Anderson" wrote in message
...
I have been experiencing some uncomfortable leg cramps at night when I
finally get to sleep. What is it I'm doing or lacking in my diet? These
have been the type that wake me up out of a dead sleep screaming in pain
with cramps in my calves and feet. I am getting plenty of water and I am
also eating a banana a day normally. ALOT of leafy greens(spinach
mostly). This has only been happening since I lowered my carbs some more
to almost Atkins Induction levels (25-30 net carbs per day) to get
myself kickstarted again and added mileage to my walks and biking(a
total of 3) Any ideas?

Susan
260/219/160

---
3weeks 1days 2:56hours of being smoke-free, 882 cigs not smoked, $163.17
saved, 3day 1:30hours of my life saved

Susan Jones-Anderson wrote:
I have been experiencing some uncomfortable leg cramps at night when I
finally get to sleep. What is it I'm doing or lacking in my diet? These
have been the type that wake me up out of a dead sleep screaming in pain
with cramps in my calves and feet. I am getting plenty of water and I am
also eating a banana a day normally. ALOT of leafy greens(spinach
mostly). This has only been happening since I lowered my carbs some more
to almost Atkins Induction levels (25-30 net carbs per day) to get
myself kickstarted again and added mileage to my walks and biking(a
total of 3) Any ideas?

A need for potassium supplement is a somewhat common cause for leg cramps
while low-carbing, but specifically night cramping might indicate need
for a calcium/magnesium combo.

--
jamie )

"There's a seeker born every minute."

If your not used to exercise try cutting back your mileage - see if
that helps. Also try hamstring stretches after exercise.

"Susan Jones-Anderson" wrote in message ...
I have been experiencing some uncomfortable leg cramps at night when I
finally get to sleep. What is it I'm doing or lacking in my diet? These
have been the type that wake me up out of a dead sleep screaming in pain
with cramps in my calves and feet. I am getting plenty of water and I am
also eating a banana a day normally. ALOT of leafy greens(spinach
mostly). This has only been happening since I lowered my carbs some more
to almost Atkins Induction levels (25-30 net carbs per day) to get
myself kickstarted again and added mileage to my walks and biking(a
total of 3) Any ideas?

Susan
260/219/160

---
3weeks 1days 2:56hours of being smoke-free, 882 cigs not smoked, $163.17
saved, 3day 1:30hours of my life saved

"Brad Sheppard" wrote in message
m...
If your not used to exercise try cutting back your mileage - see if
that helps. Also try hamstring stretches after exercise.

I've been walking as much as 4 miles a day for 3 months Brad and cycling
for 6 weeks now and only just this week increased my mileage by a total
of 3 miles and lowered my carb intake. Because I have been eating too
many carbs due to quitting smoking. I am getting my potassium from leafy
greens and a banana a day. There's gotta be another reason for the
cramps. I may need the magnesium mentioned in one of the above posts to
my OP. I still have not found an encapsulated multivitamin that I want.
I do not want pressed tablets.

Susan
260/219/160

---
3weeks 1days 12:21hours of being smoke-free, 905 cigs not smoked,
$167.43 saved, 3day 3:25hours of my life saved