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Cramps

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Rosiecarmel

Rosiecarmel

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1.5 LADA
Aaaargh I've been getting unbearable cramps in my right calf today. I can barely stand up cos it hurts. Woke up in the middle of the night with the cramps and now they keep coming and going all morning. I know it's related to high blood sugars (I've been 17.0mmol all morning) but God it's painful. What do you all do when you get cramps? Is there anything that helps?
 
Try massaging your leg (or get a friend to do it :D). Other than that plenty of fluids - I usually use electrolyte drinks (contain salts including magnesium, sodium and potassium), but you can make your own basic version with a small pinch of normal salt in some cordial.
 
Rosiecarmel said:
Aaaargh I've been getting unbearable cramps in my right calf today. I can barely stand up cos it hurts. Woke up in the middle of the night with the cramps and now they keep coming and going all morning. I know it's related to high blood sugars (I've been 17.0mmol all morning) but God it's painful. What do you all do when you get cramps? Is there anything that helps?
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I'm suffering horrendously with them Rosie almost every night. I've asked for a full vitamin check from my haematologist because magnesium seems to help. Not sure if high BG levels are contributing in my case because I rarely wake above 7 but it's worth mentioning to your doctor. Keep hydrated and hope you can get some help with your levels soon x
 
So is it related to dehydration then? Oh Amigo, they're so awful I hope you get answers too!

@Matt Cycle do those electrolyte drinks have sugar in them? I don't want to risk levels going up even more! Or do you mean something similar to Dioralyte (it's a sachet you add to water after you've had sickness or diarrhoea)
 
Hi. I've found massage really is best but try hard not to stretch your leg muscles afterwards as they'll only cramp up again.
Years ago you could buy Crampex ,I've no idea if they are still available or suitable for diabetics.
 
Rosiecarmel said:
So is it related to dehydration then? Oh Amigo, they're so awful I hope you get answers too!

@Matt Cycle do those electrolyte drinks have sugar in them? I don't want to risk levels going up even more! Or do you mean something similar to Dioralyte (it's a sachet you add to water after you've had sickness or diarrhoea)
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In my experience cramping is related to hydration. Cramping and high blood sugars would go together as your body would get rid of the excess glucose by weeing causing the dehydration.

The ones I use are High 5 Zero or the Wiggle equivalent - no sugar in them but do have the 'dreaded' sorbitol. I've not had any erm, issues but normally would only have a couple of tabs in water when out on a ride. I would imagine Dioralyte is the same sort of stuff.
 
I believe statins can contribute. I'm on Avovastatin and my GP reduced the doseage when I told him about cramps.
As for what to do when you actually have them, I've no idea.
 
Try drinking either tonic water or soda water. Worked for me :D
 
Lynn Davies said:
Try drinking either tonic water or soda water. Worked for me :D
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The Quinine in tonic water is supposed to do the trick.
I had awful foot cramps pre diagnosis, when my blood sugars were high, I'm sure it was because I was getting dehydrated peeing out all the sugar all the time.
 
Diet Tonic water is a good way to sort. Really cheap with hint of lemon
 
I see in your signature, your A1c is slowly coming down. As you know, 17 is too high for all morning. If there isn't a reason you know of, like a higher carb breakfast. I would see your Dr.
 
Have had cramp problems on and off for years and the doc gives me Quinine tabs to take (1 at night) and these seem to do the trick. when it first started I was told to try tonic water but it didn't work, afterwards the doc said there wasn' t enough quinine in it to do any good. Good luck with the leg massage😉
 
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