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Thigh muscle cramp

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I have often had calf muscle cramp, but this is easily dealt with by walking about. However, last night I had a thigh muscle cramp which was far more acute than anything I had had before. The pain was excruciating and lasted ten minutes. My face went grey and I almost fainted. I couldn't walk and massaging seemed to have little effect.

11 likes, 310 replies

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  • education_is_life_itself
    education_is_life_itself

    Posted

    there is a FDA warning out in 2011about Quinine, but I got me some anyway, I hope it works for me.

    • veronica50739
      veronica50739 wanda77205

      Posted

      There's such a miniscule amount of quinine in the club soda I never found it to make a difference.  My doctor said it's been used for decades for cramps, but I'm wondering if it were in a much larger dose back then.

       

  • terri_lee
    terri_lee

    Posted

    I am in the "GROUP" These type of cramps started with me in 2000, right after a diagnosis of fibromyalgia...after several procedures to repair a aortic/abdominal/iliac artery...aneurism.....This first one i had...started in inner thigh....one leg...involved both legs...went into my feet and my legs drew up like a frog.....then it traveled into my chest/face/ and arms. I was home alone...middle of night...couldn't get to a phone....and had to let it ride out.....Same thing...its over when it is good and ready to be and stops almost as fast as it started. I can feel it coming on...sometimes for several days before...Muscles "flick" sharp little needle pains....and then BAMMMMM!!!!My doctors keep trying to tell me that everyone gets a leg cramp every now and then...they don't have a freakin clue!!!...this is NOT A CHARLIE HORSE...as all of us know....OK I found a product from CARDIOVASCULAR RESEACH...AT A LOCAL HEALTH FOOD STORE.... it's MAGNESIUM TAURATE... and if I take it everyday...i don't get the cramps. PRAISE GOD.!!!! Started with 3 in AM & 3 before bed....NOW...YOU MUST TAKE IRON WITH THIS...it is a laxative....as i learned the hard way UGH>>>BUT IRON WILL COUNTER THE EFFECT...and as most woman we always need the iron anyway... I just take my daily vitamin with it and don't have any problems. After the first week...tapper it off by one...I got to where i can get away with only 1 in am and 1 before bed...that was over a course of about a month....its about 30.00 a bottle..as a disabled person, it's a real burden n my budget....Also supplement your diet with pumpkin (pepito) seeds and sunflower seeds...don't know if it is the salt, as I see above. We have to keep on our doctors, 3 different docs I have seen, are telling me this doesn't happen..its just a calf cramp...never heard of such a thing. WE ARE OUT HERE AND IT IS HAPPENING!!!! So...we need to find out what is causing this and stop it!Try the Magnesium taurate...don't know why that one...tried the citrate, it did not work....Terri
    • NevadaSmith
      NevadaSmith terri_lee

      Posted

      Magnesium taurate worked because taurine deficiency is a cause of severe leg cramps.

      ALSO, it is not good to advise others to take supplemental iron. Many suffer from iron overload and even when diagnosed as anemic it usually just means that the blood levels are low but there is often iron stored in the liver and other organs. Too much iron is toxic to the body and a major cause of inflammation. If one capsule of magnesium taurate does not work to alleviate cramps try taking it with a small glass of water with 1/4 tsp of unprocessed sea salt and 1/4 tsp of cream of tartar (for sodium and potassium).

  • iambluesman
    iambluesman

    Posted

    I just started getting severe inner thigh leg cramps about a month ago. I dive and hike almost every week and am 55 yrs old. Get the usual "dive" cramps in the hamstring and calf towards the end of the day which is normal. This new area of cramping pain however is concerning however as it traverses the femoral artery.

    Usually happens after I get home from diving, shower and hang on the couch for an hour or 2. Once I start to move my legs these cramps explode up the insides of my thighs and are completely debilitating. Sweats, nausea but usually go away in about 5 minutes. Night before last I got cramping while sleeping, this was a first.

    I usually drink 2 cups of coffee on the drive to diving, probably not good. Drink a gallon of water, an energy drink and eat salted nuts during the day, eat at least one banana for some potassium in the morning. After reading up a little on this subject, I am thinking my aging body is going through some kind of chemical change and I am lacking a vitamin or mineral. Potassium and Magnesium have been suggested and will probably help, will start taking it regularly.

    • lola49262
      lola49262 iambluesman

      Posted

      I agree with you that it goes along the artery - and mine happen after laying on the couch for a while resting on my right side usually and when i go to rise off the couch BAM! it starts.  docs are clueless as long as your not dying..........i got you.
  • Lori90210
    Lori90210

    Posted

    Thank goodness I finally found some wonderful information re all your trials with the dreaded upper thigh cramps. I'm on Vancouver Island, and 3 years ago we did a long cross country trip for a few weeks in a camper van. Upon return (altho I had been physically active coming and going) on the first night I was taken over by this horrible cramping. Hubby was in a panic as well, as it seemed extreme and I must admit, most unlikely to try and get him to understand just how drastic the pain was. One other lady said: worst than child birth, and I fully agree.

    Had been to several docs; one gave me a lower spine x-ray, etc., to no avail. The unusual thing is that they come ... and then they go .... but it's also funny that so many folks have mentioned sitting on the couch as a precursor as an attack happening.

    One doc said : eat Tums - an antacid across the counter pill ... and then today I'm starting on magnesium tabs.My relief has come primarily from finding you all here ... and willing to share their stories. Thanks a bunch.

  • jan52884
    jan52884

    Posted

    In my many experiences with the ghastly thigh cramps the only way to ease is to use a hand held shower head to try and relax the muscle. Hot water does help even though it takes a little while. i have also had to use a hair dryer to try and ease the pain but need to be careful to burn yourself! I have had to live with this for years now. some nights i just dread going to bed and i always move very carefully in bed. and yes i think this is almost worse than child birth and i have had 4 babies! and i don't get to hold a little bub after the cramp.....just nurse a sore leg! horrible horrible horrible.

    • lola49262
      lola49262 jan52884

      Posted

      hi jan - had a nasty and brutal go round last evening getting off couch with thigh pain. made me cry.  suggestion - how about keeping those disposable tear open hot packs nearby instead of blow dryer or shower?  i am goin to get some and keep them close to couch which is where i get my attacks.  in bed i have to be careful of the sudden calf cramps which of course you have to jump up out of bed asap and try to walk it off.  this does NOT work with thigh cramps for me anyways.  i cannot move when i get the thigh pains. just bend over, cry and pray and i get all sweaty from the effort to deal with it.  IT IS JUST HORRENDOUS.   doctors are clueless.        good luck. Lorie  USA
    • ChristinaO
      ChristinaO lola49262

      Posted

      Hello, I agree, th eonly thing that I have noticed that works for me is the ICY HOT that i keep in my car and definately next to my bed at hands reaach, as soon as i feel it is going to start i put on my plasctic glove (smell) sometimes i don't even have time for glove i just grab a good amout of ICY HOT and start rubbing, rubbing rubbing so hard I yell for someone anyone that can come and help rubiing becuase i can't barerly move and the pain has me screaming, crying , praying and almost fainting!  sad
  • alan1000
    alan1000

    Posted

    I have been experiencing inner thigh cramps on both legs for a few years. I echo those who find that the pain is excruciating and there is little one can do other than to ride it out without moving too much. There are occasions when I wake up in the middle of the night and feel that twinge which signals the onset of the cramp. If I act quickly, it's possible to stop the cramp before it happens by digging my finger into the spot where the twinge is felt or by pounding the area with my fist. Another issue I have, which seems not to be reported, is that the cramping is so intense that the pain takes days to subside. It's as if the muscle has been put through an extraordinary workout. Not to be an alarmist, but I've wondered what I would do if the cramping happened while I was driving.
    • lola49262
      lola49262 alan1000

      Posted

      Hi Alan

      I haven't had too many UNTIL it happened last nite as I was getting up from laying on couch on my right side.  Laying on right side and then sitting up to get up off the couch is usually when it hits why I dont know. Last nite was B-R-U-T-A-L and intense pain and reduced me to tears and praying. Lasted about 10 mins. and was in both inner thighs but then only 1.  Today I have a some tenderness in thigh where most intense pain was.  This time the pain travelled across the top front of my thigh and i was rubbing and hitting like you do.  Recently have only been dealing with the sudden calf cramping which does not feel the same as the THIGH THING to me.  The calf cramp feels typical muscle but the thigh is so deep like the pain is running on a track up and down (electric current like) I am wondering if it is not God forbid an arterial spasm?   I have told my doctors and you know the results of doing that!  A few months ago I was checked for PAD (leg vein blockages) and no problems detected.  So I know exactly what you are going through.  An added thought - my deceased younger sister (i'm 69) had a few of the thigh thing years ago and I could not fathom what she had because I had never had the thigh thing - only occasional calf cramping.  Now that Im older sad and get them too - it could be familial.   everything is coming more often.  You have my empathy!!  Good luck - Loraine from NJ -US 

    • italyagain
      italyagain alan1000

      Posted

      I've been getting thigh spasms since 1991.  You mentioned 'twinge' and that's exactly what I feel too.  As soon as I get that twinge I think 'oh no'.  Finally after years of suffering, I have discovered that my inner thighs need to be stretched often and that seems to help prevent the spasms.  I've had them in both thighs before also.  The spasm might be over, but the muscle pain can last several days.  I make it a point to stretch and straighten my legs and move right foot to the right and left foot to the left to stretch the muscles before I attempt to get up from the couch or before rolling over in bed. When I am unable to stretch and the spasm hits, I cry because it is so painful.  Seems like it lasts over five minutes.  It can start to go away, and then come back several times during the spasm.  Talk to a physical therapist.  Mine was able to describe what I was having.  He called it a muscle contraction.  Doctors couldn't help me.  For me, just keeping those inner thigh muscles stretched has helped quite a lot.  But if I forget to straighten my legs before moving in bed or getting up from the couch or even a chair, I'm in trouble.
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