I get leg cramps at night, even though I take calcium. I read that if you put a bar of soap, preferably Dial, under your top sheet near your feet the cramps will go away. I thought it was crazy but tried it, and low, and behold it worked. I have no clue how but it does.
My husband used to take calcium pills for leg cramps but then our doctor suggested that he take 2 or 3 Tums tablets daily. Tums have calcium in them and they're a lot cheaper than buying calcium pills at the drugstore.
Hi, I can really understand how that pain is so awful, and for some reason it wakes me up out of a deep sleep and I have yelled, which woke my husband up.The other hard part is that they say you need to get out of bed and walk it off. I take calcium as well, I haven't tried the soap bar. I have heard that it might be that I am dehydrated. Of course you can actually drink too much water. Lois from Bellevue
I'd highly recommend you do what I did, increasing your Vit. B 12 a bit for leg cramps and reducing all salt, but balancing out any potassium, calcium, and all vitamins/minerals you may be taking. Remember that taking just one kind of thing may make you out of balance in another area. I just read on Mercola.com , I believe, that calcium is not best for strong bones. There are other more natural things.
The cramping in your legs may be related to "Restless Leg Syndrome", and with me it is caused by vascular/ blood allergies to corn products/ by-products, pepper of any color or origin, or instant coffee... for the most part. If I avoid these, especially combining any within the same meal or same day, I always have the leg cramping and restlessness. However, my ex-husband had micro surgery on what appeared to be the sciatic nerve and it did not stop the aching in his leg muscles. He would not watch what he ate or drank, and eventually had a first stroke.
I know you can benefit the most by eating mostly organic, fresh/frozen, plain, raw and steamed,veggies and minimal fruits (O. apples/ blueberries/ pears being the best) with limited starches/ breads/ crackers/ chips/ cereals/ grains/ sugars. There are hundreds of food choices on the shelves, and it's up to us to find what is safe, healthy, nutritious first, then if it also tastes good, we have a win-win situation.
If we lead with our tongues, taste buds, laziness to learn/read ingredients' warnings, and accept instead, "there's something wrong with most everything, so I will just ignore it all and take my chances!", or, "My parents have been eating whatever they wanted all of their lives and it hasn't killed them yet." , or I'm just as healthy now as I was fifteen years ago, it's too much trouble to research, read, and apply what I learned. Who's to know who's right?" Find others who do their research, have found good products to eat and get healthy eating, even if one must eat less in order to prevent eating pesticides, metal toxins, fungus, and intentional poisons as is listed on Mercola.com. He is more healthy than any doctor I've even heard talk about health. He cares, reports honestly, sells excellent products at a profit so he can survive and continue writing for readers online.
All the bars of soap, salt shakers, and massages will wear you down, and the problem isn't going to get better until you learn what is causing it in whatever you are eating or drinking. One off the wall idea you need to double check is that your waistbands are all loose and not tight, that you do not sit too long at a time, that you cleanse your LIVER regularly.
I take 1,000 mg. of Milk Thistle herb in a capsule twice a week with meals. I also take a locally made Probiotic from Bluebonnet Brand of Acidophiles w/ FOS that makes all the difference in the world. Soon we will be unable to purchase natural supplements/ meds/ vitamins, etc., so be certain to file all you can find about what to do, who to read or learn from, and how better to treat yourself. Big Pharma only wants to lead you into RX drugs that trap you there for life with all sorts of side-effects and unnatural responses/ illnesses as a results, even possible death.
I think eating bananas for the potassium is good too. I haven't had them in a long time. Walmart carries HYlands Leg Cramp Remedy in their vitamin and herbal section, it is very good for stopping them if you do get one.
My doctor suggested that I drink about 4-6 ounces of tonic water daily OR take a calcium tablet twice a day. As I don't like the taste of tonic water (with or without the gin) (hahaha), I elected to take the calcium. I seldom get leg cramps at night any more.
I had read about this on the good old days website some time ago. It was suggested to use Ivory. Like you, I thought how silly. But when my legs got to hurting at night I decided to try it, but I had zest. It really works.
This pages has been archived 3 times. You can view older posts and feedback below.
Tip: Stopping Leg Cramps (10/01/2009)
My husband has experienced some bad leg cramps at night during the past couple of months. Somewhere in the deep recesses of my senior brain I had "filed" this homegrown remedy.
Tip: Stopping Leg Cramps At Night (05/13/2009)
If you have leg cramps at nighttime, while trying to sleep, keep a salt shaker on your nightstand.
Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.
Archives:
Tip: Stopping Leg Cramps
Archived on 10/01/2009
My husband has experienced some bad leg cramps at night during the past couple of months. Somewhere in the deep recesses of my senior brain I had "filed" this homegrown remedy. This cramp was so bad that he couldn't even walk to the kitchen.
I went to the refrigerator and got him a couple of kosher baby dill pickles. He ate them, and in just a few minutes the cramp completely subsided. Don't ask me how or why, but it has worked on the two different times I've given him the pickles.
Source: I'm not sure where I heard this, but I'm at least glad I remembered to try it.
It sounds like a low potassium problem; pickles, bananas and potatoes are high in potassium. I know because I have had the same problem in the past. My legs would cramp so bad that they'd draw clear up to my chest. "IT WOULDN'T HURT TO GET HIS POTASSIUM CHECKED BY A DOCTOR." Hope he gets better. (05/13/2009)
It's the vinegar in the pickle juice that helped your husband. If he suffers from cramps regularly, it would pay him to go to a health food store and buy some Quinine tablets and take them on a regular basis for awhile. I, too, have a problem with cramps every now and then, so I keep a bottle on hand all the time. If I start having cramps in my legs or feet, I'll take a tablet a day for a few days and then stop. Once upon a time, you could buy them in drugstores but I guess the FDA stopped that - now, as far as I know, they are available only in health food stores. Hope this suggestion helps and God bless you. (05/14/2009)
Would eating a pickle or two a day help prevent getting the cramps? My elderly mom has them pretty regularly, bad enough to wake her up from a sound sleep. (05/14/2009)
Be smart, be prepared for those gut-wrenching leg cramps. Keep an attractive jar at the ready to grab of pickle juice next to place where you sleep/ so no need to get out of bed..close enough to grab and gulp 2 - 3 swigs.
A note about quinine. It can cause hearing problems, so it's best to either avoid it or use as a last resort. (05/14/2009)
Pickles provide vinegar and salt. The salt helps replace electrolytes lost through perspiration or other fluid loss. Does he take a diuretic? Be careful with quinine. I used it successfully when I was 20. When 63, I took it for four days and awoke partially deaf. It is a fairly common side effect. I DO take calcium with Vitamin D twice daily. I also got my thyroid regulated. Now leg cramps are minor, if not gone. Good luck! (05/14/2009)
Your potassium is low. You need to start eating bananas or I think green peas also will to the trick. I make sure my family eats bananas at least every so often. I can keep track of that . (05/14/2009)
I asked a pharmacist about what to do about restless leg and leg cramps. He told me to take vitamin E. I have been taking it for 6 years and have never had to go on prescription medicine. I have also eaten bananas to help out. Just be careful if you try potassium vitamins. My brother took some and it literally tied him up in a knot, he was cramped up in all his extremities and couldn't straighten anything out straight. (05/14/2009)
Be sure you are getting adequate calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D. It is not enough in a multiple vitamin tablet. These all need each other to work. At least 1000 mgs calcium a day. Make sure it is a good brand or it will pass through you. If a calcium tablet does not dissolve within one minute, in a glass of water, buy another brand and try it. (05/17/2009)
This isn't a preventative, but if you should feel leg cramps coming on in the middle of the night, this simple method takes away the pain lickety-split.
While sitting up in bed, keep the offending leg as straight as possible and grasp your toes. Pull the toes back toward you. Note, if you don't feel the stretch down the back of your lower leg all the way to the knee, then you're not doing it right.
When done correctly, the calf muscles are forced to stretch, which means the charley horse can no longer contract, so it disappears like magic. (05/17/2009)
This may sound 'mad' However it has always helped me. When I have been suffering with cramp during the night I use a tip I read in a magazine. Take a pair of socks or pantyhose you have worn, put them on the floor at the side of your bed in the shape of a "X" and leave them there overnight. It has always worked for me, crazy or not. It is very comforting to know that I have some help I can put into practice very quickly. (05/18/2009)
If you have leg cramps at nighttime, while trying to sleep, keep a salt shaker on your nightstand. Once your leg cramp sets in, pour some salt into the palm of your hand and lick it. Your leg cramps should subside soon.
By Terri
Feedback:
RE: Stopping Leg Cramps At Night
A friend read somewhere about a bar of soap keeping leg cramps away. Just put the bar of soap (NOT Dial and NOT Dove) between your bottom fitted sheet and the mattress, and leave it there. I didn't really believe it, but my husband insisted I try it anyway. He put a bar of Yardley's English Lavender soap in our bed, and I have not had a
single leg cramp (Charley Horse) since. I had them every single night of my life, but none for over a
month now. It's wonderful. I wish I understood the chemical reason for this working. It must be some kind of chemical which prevents the cramps.
I'm telling everyone I know about our experience, and I hope that they all have the same results. Leg cramps can be one of the most painful things and once they start, it's very difficult to relax which you must do in order for them to quit entirely.
God Bless,
Julia in Orlando, FL (03/28/2005)
RE: Stopping Leg Cramps At Night
I have awful leg cramps, but also have high blood pressure. Therefore, I am supposed to have LITTLE
salt. Don't know which is worse.
My husband has used the bar soap suggestion when he has a leg cramp and it works for him. He just puts it right under his knee on the leg that is cramping - this may not be clear. Also it has to be wrapped in a cloth. He keeps this in his bedside table.
I'm checking with my doctor to see if mine is caused by one of the medications I use. Thanks for all the suggestions. (03/28/2005)
By Billie
RE: Stopping Leg Cramps At Night
Leg cramps can be a sign that your body is low on potassium, so eat potatoes or bananas are also good too. Also, if you drink a lot of milk each day that can also cause them so try cutting down on the amount of milk you drink. (03/28/2005)
The body needs a proper BALANCE of potassium and sodium (salt). So, if you eat too much potassium; ie: bananas, potatoes, even milk, and not enough sodium in the body, it could cause the cramps, too. But please check with your doctors, not good to begin using extra salt or potassium without advise. How long does it take for the soap to ease the cramp, could it just be mind over matter type of thing? Thankfully I don't often suffer night leg cramps, but would love to know how/why this works. (03/28/2005)
I drink Tonic Water, with quinine and it helps a lot. I use the diet kind. (03/28/2005)
By Ginny
RE: Stopping Leg Cramps At Night
This sounds very strange,but in the Fresno Bee Newspaper some time ago a Doctor wrote;"If you have leg cramps, put a bar of soap in your bed. Not anything like Dove or Oil of Olay but plain soap." It works for me. (03/29/2005)
RE: Stopping Leg Cramps At Night
Salt works because it means you're not getting enough in your diet. Just add a little more at night before you go to bed. If your legs are twitching just as you start to fall asleep too, this is another sign of a deficiency. Prevention is better than pain! (05/03/2005)
By Cathy
RE: Stopping Leg Cramps At Night
I have tried everything. I had my blood work done, I took natural pills, prescriptions, drank 'nasty' tonic water, stretched my legs, I have done it all. The soap WORKS!! If you try it and still have cramps, add another bar of soap. I have 2 bars of Safeguard in their own sock. They are pinned to my mattress pad out of my way, I don't even sleep under the covers some nights. I don't care why it works I am just thankful that it does. Tell everyone you know. (07/31/2005)
By Donna Williams
RE: Stopping Leg Cramps At Night
My brother-in-law insisted that I try putting soap in my bed for the terrible leg cramps and foot and toe cramps I get all night and day. After four days they have totally disappeared. His mother won't try it and neither will his wife so I hope they will after my experience. (04/30/2007)
By Carmen
RE: Stopping Leg Cramps At Night
I don't understand the thing about soap. How do you use it. What do you do with the soap when you have a leg cramp. I have leg cramps and they are very painful. I am losing sleep because of them and I am very sore the day after any help I can get will be appreciated. Thank you (10/23/2007)
By Isabell
RE: Stopping Leg Cramps At Night
My husband suffers from occasional leg cramps, but nightly RLS. He twitches constantly, so much so that it moves the entire bed and I can't sleep. Without telling him, I placed a small bar of soap between the sheets near the bottom of the bed on his side. It has been three nights of stillness, with hardly any restless leg syndrome. I hate to even tell him about it, as he would not believe it. But that seems to disprove the psychological effect, as he does not even know that the soap is there. (01/04/2008)
By Annette
RE: Stopping Foot/Toe Cramps At Night
I have no clue why - but the bar of soap thing works. I tried one night out of total desperation. I constantly get the toe/foot cramps at night. I've tried the quinine water (doesn't always work for me)I wear socks to bed at night and I have a small hotel size bar of soap in each of of them. Sounds totally weird but it has worked for the past three weeks. The only other thing that works (but it takes about 15-20 minutes to kick in) is to take an Advil. I would love to know how it works - anybody have an answer for that one. (04/15/2008)
I have been using the soap in the bed for more than a year, and it works 100%, I started with Ivory Soap, but have switched to Irish Spring as the smell is better. The soap would fall out of the bed sometimes, and a cramp would come, so I now place the plain soap in a plastic bag (poly bag) and pin it to the sheet with a safety pin. Works like a charm. You do not need to buy any of the advertised remedies, and one cake of soap will last indefinitely. Sometimes I get a cramp while driving, and for this I take a quarter of a quinine tablet. Stops the pain almost immediately. Been using the quinine for more than 35 years. Just get a few tablets and divide each tablet into four parts (12/11/2008)
You're not going to believe this, but don't be too skeptical 'cause it works! Place a bar of soap underneath the fitted sheet at the foot of your mattress. Believe me, I was skeptical until I tried it and it worked!
After a while, this will stop working. When it does, just replace the bar of soap with a new one and put the "old" one in the shower.
No one knows why this works, but it does! (10/25/2006)
I have had leg and toe cramps in the past, but I have increased my potassium intake and haven't had any problems. I just take the supplement for a few days and stop when I no longer have problems. I hope this helps. (10/25/2006)
I can't believe this question came up now. 2 weeks ago at bowling, my team mate who is 80 was telling all of us about putting a bar of soap under your fitted sheets and it'll stop leg cramps. She said her niece from California, who works at a hospital , told her about it. Guess I'll have to try this. I'm 50 and get leg cramps in the middle of the night. (10/25/2006)
I used to have leg cramps until I started taking Vitamin E. (10/25/2006)
By Ruth Wiebe
RE: Leg Cramp Remedies
Be sure that your calcium, selenium, magnesium and potassium levels are where they should be by eating your fruits and veggies, or taking supplements. Also, MagniLife has a product called Restless Legs Relief that does wonders for any muscle cramps. It should be found in any good health food store or, can be ordered online. (10/25/2006)
By nancy80501
RE: Leg Cramp Remedies
This one has always worked for me (and for one of my children who was prone to leg cramps) and it's virtually free. Salt water. That is, stir some salt into a glass of warm water and drink it. Not too much, or it's undrinkable. and too much salt is really bad for you. Try just a little salt, wait to see if it works.. I can't give specific amounts of salt because over the years I've just got used to my own 'pinches'. If the cramps don't ease in a short time, drink a little more. it woks for me 100% percent.
Ellie. (10/25/2006)
Be sure to tell your doctor if you have cramps in your feet or legs! It could be a sign of poor circulation or deep vein thrombosis. It could be life threatening.
I used to get cramps in my legs before my doctor put me on Potassium supplements. I take medicine for my high blood pressure. That makes your body low in potassium. I see others here have posted about potassium and other minerals as well.
Don't drink salt water if you have high blood pressure, please. BTW, salt substitutes (aka "low" salt) are potassium chloride which if used would help your potassium shortage. Regular salt, sodium chloride wont help you IMHO. (10/25/2006)
By Carol in PA
RE: Leg Cramp Remedies
Before going to bed, drink a couple ounces of orange juice. Works for me. If you have leg cramps at other times, drink orange juice with a tsp. of sugar. (10/25/2006)
By Lollie
RE: Leg Cramp Remedies
My mother drinks a little tonic water before bedtime and it helps her and my husband takes magnesium to help him. But a bar of soap is much more thrifty than either of these options. Thanks! (10/25/2006)
For leg cramps, eat a banana each day. It's the potassium that helps. My son told me this is what the coach gave the football players when they got cramps at high school football. Works great for us. Also helped my granddaughter when she was pregnant. (10/25/2006)
By Rosemary
RE: Leg Cramp Remedies
I've always been told by the doctor or leader at Weight Watchers that you're not getting enough water or potassium which you can get from eating a banana. So, the easiest thing for me has always been drink and eat a banana daily. (10/25/2006)
By Nanc
RE: Leg Cramp Remedies
We have the bar of soap under the sheets and it has worked for my husband for 2 years now. He used to get leg cramps nearly every night that wakened him. Not once since we put the soap in place. He still does get cramps occasionally if he sits too long at the computer. He has our Dr. write a prescription for Quinine Capsules. They work to alleviate the cramps. Quinine tablets are also available in some Health Food stores. (10/25/2006)
Not sure if they're during the day or when you are drifting off to sleep. If it's at night-time and your leg is jerking/cramping, then you are not getting enough salt in your diet. Worked a treat for me. (10/26/2006)
This sounded pretty far fetched when my hubby told me, but some how it works. His cousins wife has used this remedy for years. She places a bar of SOAP under the bottom sheet near her feet, and she said it works.. My hubby and I tried her remedy.
We use COAST SOAP (2) bars, one for each of us. IT WORKED, no more leg cramps at night. Our sheets Are Scented With Coast. Try to keep your feet touching the soap. We were told that IVORY does not work!
If this fails to help you, then seek a doctor's help.
(10/26/2006)
By Sherry
RE: Leg Cramp Remedies
My doctor prescribed Quinine tablets for me and it works wonders - no more cramps! (10/27/2006)
I get leg cramps at night, and for years I have done this to stop them. it works for me.
Pinch the skin under your nose tight till you feel the pain go away. hope it works for you. (08/05/2007)
By Alice
RE: Leg Cramp Remedies
I have had a real problem with leg cramps since childhood. Sometimes when I was a pre-teen I would wake up screaming with Charlie Horses and my mom would come in and rub my legs until the muscles finally let loose and quit cramping. When I was about ten someone told my mom to have me drink salt water as soon as they started and it works 100% of the time.
My son was cursed with the same problem and every time he started cramping I would give him salt water. Within thirty seconds to a minute the cramps would go away and wouldn't come back the rest of the night.
I am almost forty now and I still use the salt method. It may not be a good idea for someone with high blood pressure but I am telling you, IT WORKS!
Just yesterday I woke up with a cramp right beside my shin bone, so I immediately went to the kitchen, grabbed the salt, poured about a teaspoon in my hand, tossed the salt straight into my mouth and washed it down with a few drinks of soda. Fifteen second later - NO CRAMPS! (06/09/2008)
By rindyrue
RE: Leg Cramp Remedies
Tried the soap, and my God, it worked last night. Thought this was a "crazy" idea but when you have those cramps at night, you'll try anything.
I always use liquid body wash so I went nuts looking in the closet last night. Lo and behold, found one.
Thanks, finally got a good night's sleep.
(07/21/2008)
By Sue
RE: Leg Cramp Remedies
A bar of soap under the sheets really does work! At least it has for me. I didn't get leg cramps/charlie horses until I became pregnant and my grandpa told me about a week ago to put a bar of soap under my sheet. I laughed at first but decided to try it, why not? The bananas and water weren't working very well so I did and I've gone 5 nights without them. It's amazing! (10/01/2008)
