o.O I also am searching for answers and found all of you. I hate to hear all of you suffer too. But I am relieved to know it isn't just me and some freak thing. 2 nights ago I had another of these cramps. It is my second one to ever experience. "Excruciating pain" is the only term that can describe it. I fall into the category of "no way I can get out of this bed". I can barely get into a sitting position on the side of the bed because of the cramp. It is impossible to stand. I, too, encountered the cold sweat, nauseated sensation from this pain. Five minutes feels like an hour. It is truly scary and horrific to encounter. Thank you for sharing your pain and hopeful remedies.
I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences, and possible remedies for these painful episodes! What perplexes me about this is that, as aforementioned, it only seems to happen during the night time! Also, it's hard to remedy these cramps due to the fact that they don't happen every night!, so, it's hard, if not impossible to know what cures may work! :-( I've heard that the salt under the tongue, and drinking the pickle juice can provide comfort, but, with me, it's been stretching, walking, yelling, and rolling!, kinda like a frog with a hernia!LOL! Medically, they should name thigh cramps the "GOTCHA" disease as you never know when it's going to strike, then all of a sudden at 3am it grabs you, has you writhing in pain, totally having it's way with you, and doesn't let go until it's GOOD AND READY!!lol, kinda like a debt collector when you owe back taxes, or a defaulted student loan! :-S Once again, I thank you guys for posting your experiences!, and PLEASE, if you find any good remedies, please post immediately if not sooner!
I periodically get an inner thigh leg cramp on my right leg. Most of the time it happens in the early morning hours. I woke up this morning with a really bad one. Usually if I get up and walk around it helps - not this time. It scared me!!!
I've been reading up on Aromatherapy and how Peppermint serves as a good anti-inflammatory (no pills). I had purchased a bottle of Peppermint Essential oil sometime ago at my local health food store, and have been using it in body lotion to add a little zing to my step (it also helps with nose congestion!).
When I got the cramp this morning, I reached for the Peppermint Essential Oil and through some droplets in the palm of my hand and started lightly rubbing the painful spot. Within SECONDS the pain started lessening, and was entirely gone within 2-3 minutes. I guess the concentrated oil was quickly absorbed into the muscle and started working immediately.
I also buy my essential oils at anandaapothecary.com, and their peppermint is very reasonable.
Hope someone else will try this to see if it works for them. Let me know!
Thanks!
Denise
I've been reading up on Aromatherapy and how Peppermint serves as a good anti-inflammatory (no pills). I had purchased a bottle of Peppermint Essential oil sometime ago at my local health food store, and have been using it in body lotion to add a little zing to my step (it also helps with nose congestion!).
When I got the cramp this morning, I reached for the Peppermint Essential Oil and through some droplets in the palm of my hand and started lightly rubbing the painful spot. Within SECONDS the pain started lessening, and was entirely gone within 2-3 minutes. I guess the concentrated oil was quickly absorbed into the muscle and started working immediately.
I also buy my essential oils at anandaapothecary.com, and their peppermint is very reasonable.
Hope someone else will try this to see if it works for them. Let me know!
Thanks!
Denise
I have had two excruciating thigh cramps (front of thigh that wrap around to inner thigh) to the point where I feel like I am going to pass out. The first time I went to emergency room, where I was checked and they said, the good news was, my heart was okay; the bad news was, I had pneumonia.
The second time I remembered what someone told me next time I got a cramp: walk it off. I did this, and stretched the best I could while walking, but I felt like I was going to pass out and then my hip started hurting, too, and I felt a bit weak. I kept walking, after calling a neighbor to sit with me. Perhaps that relieved the stress. I also ate a banana for potassium. Eventually, cramp subsided within 5 minutes. However, two days later the area where the cramp was still hurt. From everything I've read, cramps can cut off circulation, thus, perhaps, the sense of passing out. Both times I was suffering from a severe cough. The cramps felt violent and huge compared to a charlie horse. My advice, walk it off. Also I've read one should hydrate oneself, because cramps may come on when our body is depleted from electrolytes--not just water, but salt water, which is supposed to be as good as Gatorade, etc.
The second time I remembered what someone told me next time I got a cramp: walk it off. I did this, and stretched the best I could while walking, but I felt like I was going to pass out and then my hip started hurting, too, and I felt a bit weak. I kept walking, after calling a neighbor to sit with me. Perhaps that relieved the stress. I also ate a banana for potassium. Eventually, cramp subsided within 5 minutes. However, two days later the area where the cramp was still hurt. From everything I've read, cramps can cut off circulation, thus, perhaps, the sense of passing out. Both times I was suffering from a severe cough. The cramps felt violent and huge compared to a charlie horse. My advice, walk it off. Also I've read one should hydrate oneself, because cramps may come on when our body is depleted from electrolytes--not just water, but salt water, which is supposed to be as good as Gatorade, etc.
I have been suffering from inner thigh cramps for a couple of years now. The doctor did a blood test to see if I was deficient on anything and the tests showed that I was fine on everything. These cramps are the worst cramps I have ever had they take your breath away and have often made me feel faint. My dentist suggested that I take some electrolyte pills. I bought some Endurox Excel at GNC and since I have been taking them daily I have not had a thigh cramp. I have started going to the gym and thought for sure I would start getting cramps again but fortunately I haven't gotten a one. I will continue with the pills because these cramps are devastating.
While I'm not happy to hear of so much pain, I'm thrilled to find an information exchange. I have always had lots of muscle cramps, but only over the last couple of years have I had sessions with the inner thigh cramps. Some just scary, some terrifying with soreness lasting for days. I'm in my 60's, active and healthy. I do have scoliosis and a fused spine, and attributed lower back pain when trying to stand to that -- thanks to all for pointing out that one needs to stay in a bent position. I do drink a lot of tonic water on the advice of others who have leg cramps. Have no idea if there would be more cramping without it. One person swears to her massage therapist that putting mustard under your tongue when you get a cramp helps! (Would certainly be a distraction!)
I have suffered with Severe Inner Thigh Cramps for years. Certain things trigger them more than others. Avoid things that cause dehydration. Alcohol, scotch for me not beer will almost always trigger an episode, also too much caffeine will do it. Obviously extreme sweating leads to the same. The only thing that worked for me was QUININE 1 x 300 mg and 2 aspirin as a preventive measure if my legs felt like they were ready to clamp up, 2 x 300mg quinine pills id I was having a full blown crying like a baby cramp in the inner thigh. It worked for me unfortunately it has been banned by the FDA for use for this purpose. With that said be sure to take a lot of liquids and eat you mixed vegitables and V8, take multi vitamins and minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium
My husband has severe thigh cramps and I think it has to do with being on his feet all day long. He had the same job for 35 years, was laid off for 1 1/2 year (no cramps), and as soon as he started back on this job, they showed up. Only after he goes to bed for an hour or so. He's 58 and healthy.
I used to have occasional cramps after going to bed but I am having them more frequently and in the thigh..inner..and also calf area..I am 78 (today!!) and am very healthy except for type2 diabetes..I am going to try all the possible cures..or at least something to help easing the pain.my legs are weak and slightly painful for a few days after these horrible cramps occur..thank you all for your suggestions ..
I too have been searching for answers for year. There is lots of information on calf cramps but very little on cramps of the inner thigh. The first doctor I told about this said it was not possible to have cramps in that muscle. That I would have to be squeezing my thighs together repeatedly for too long a time. Needless to say I longer go to him. My current doctor just ignores it as a minor problem. I agree that the pain is excruciating and often accompanied by nausea. However, I have finally found something always works for me. Standing up as best I can and drinking an enire 12 ounce bottle of water. Sometimes two. I now always keep a bottle of water at bedside. Usually my cramps either awaken me at night or happen on awakening when I move to get ot of bed. So I think in my case it is due at least partially to dehydration. I do take diuretics for high blood pressure. I also live at a high altitude in a very dry climate. Also caffeine does seem to be implicated probably because it is also dehydrating. I've also tried bananas, fluid with electrolytes, eating saltines with mixed results but nothing works like just drinking lots and lots of water at the time of the cramp--- even if I've had alot of water during the day. I still would like a way to prevent these altogether!
I have experienced excruciating inner thigh muscle cramps since about the age of 30. Usually in one thigh but on rare occasions in both thighs at the same time!
My son has turned 30 and now he is experiencing the same problem so there seems to be is a familial ingredient here somewhere.
Drugs, Muscle relaxants, Potassium pills etc have had little to no effect whatsoever.
The eyes of doctors glaze over when you mention 'cramps' or when they realize they have no explanation to the problem.
Good coping strategies I employ include keeping well hydrated so avoiding too much alcohol; drinking 2+ pints of water after wine at dinner (well before going to bed) but by far the best results are obtained by keeping my legs out straight at every possible opportunity: In bed sleeping on my back with my legs out straight; sitting in a chair with my legs out straight and feet on a rest, placing pillows between my legs when sleeping on my side such that it is not easy to bend my knees whilst asleep etc.
During the day I can tell if I am in danger of getting an inside thigh cramp (e.g. Driving the car with legs bent for long periods or bending continually in stop-go traffic) but at night it is different because by the time I can tell a really awful cramp is coming and I wake up it is then too late.
Then I drink water to hydrate and put my leg on the armrest of the sofa and stretch the muscles as hard as I can. I know the latter sounds impossible to fellow sufferers but it helps if you can do.
The preventative to something few doctors take seriously is to keep your legs out straight as often as you can and certainly when asleep.
Research into this little known phenomena has been done in Japan without solid results and (I understand) it is being done in Great Britain.
I have had tests galore without identification of a cause (nerve signals, poor circulation etc) but the coping strategy of keeping my legs out straight and avoiding having my knees bent for long periods works for me.
It is not a cure but it has substantially reduced the incidence of these terrible inner thigh cramps.
My son has turned 30 and now he is experiencing the same problem so there seems to be is a familial ingredient here somewhere.
Drugs, Muscle relaxants, Potassium pills etc have had little to no effect whatsoever.
The eyes of doctors glaze over when you mention 'cramps' or when they realize they have no explanation to the problem.
Good coping strategies I employ include keeping well hydrated so avoiding too much alcohol; drinking 2+ pints of water after wine at dinner (well before going to bed) but by far the best results are obtained by keeping my legs out straight at every possible opportunity: In bed sleeping on my back with my legs out straight; sitting in a chair with my legs out straight and feet on a rest, placing pillows between my legs when sleeping on my side such that it is not easy to bend my knees whilst asleep etc.
During the day I can tell if I am in danger of getting an inside thigh cramp (e.g. Driving the car with legs bent for long periods or bending continually in stop-go traffic) but at night it is different because by the time I can tell a really awful cramp is coming and I wake up it is then too late.
Then I drink water to hydrate and put my leg on the armrest of the sofa and stretch the muscles as hard as I can. I know the latter sounds impossible to fellow sufferers but it helps if you can do.
The preventative to something few doctors take seriously is to keep your legs out straight as often as you can and certainly when asleep.
Research into this little known phenomena has been done in Japan without solid results and (I understand) it is being done in Great Britain.
I have had tests galore without identification of a cause (nerve signals, poor circulation etc) but the coping strategy of keeping my legs out straight and avoiding having my knees bent for long periods works for me.
It is not a cure but it has substantially reduced the incidence of these terrible inner thigh cramps.
If you feel a cramp coming on run for very hot water. Have a small towel handy and begin to apply water that is so hot you feel it might burn. At night I always need to be around water that reaches very high tap temperature. It takes a few minutes until the cramp will release, but it will. After this application it will go away for the night. It's almost like the 'old Polio' treatment when they had to place boiling water towels on Polio victums leg muscle to get them to relax and stretch them out. You may have a pre-warning a large cramp may be on its way, such as your feet might feel like they may cramp. I have purchased a hot water bottle. It says don't use water hotter than 120 degrees but mine go to 130 +. I have even purchased a 'quick boil water pot' which I may add to the hot tap water and put in this bottle. At bedtime I place the bottle between my thighs - be careful not to burn yourself. Experiment. This helps prevent cramps in my feet and thighs ahead of time. But attacks still may come. I have totally been experimenting with what I eat etc. I have stopped all medications, coffee, and chocolate and no alcohol. I have not had any attacks of late. I am going back on my Thyroid medication, and introducing different items as I go. I stopped all supplements, also. I know if I have exercised and/or worn wrong shoes and walked a lot, these cramps will happen. It's like a puzzle. I remember when I did not know what to do about these cramps - and stretched them out and nearly fainted many times. I do know but I think I will need to be around extreme hot water / microwave etc. the rest of my life unless I can figure out what really causes these monsters. I know, however, some people get these any time of the day and night.
Until today I thought only one other person knew how bad inner thigh cramps are. That's a friend who was with me once when it hit. He massaged me as best he could. He said he'd never felt a muscle as tight as mine were.
I get cramps from my feet to my thighs. I've been taking potassium and milk (the B12 in milk seems to help the potassium work). And lots of water. From what some have said, I'll be adding salt back into my diet.
Stretching as many muscles as I can before going to bed also helps. When the cramps hit, it's all I can do to get out of bed to begin stretching the offending muscles. Walking is out of the question. I must look like Frankenstein's monster when I try to walk. (I got one while in my car last week and couldn't get out to stretch due to the pain.)
Even if my doctor doesn't "get it" it's good to know you all do!
I get cramps from my feet to my thighs. I've been taking potassium and milk (the B12 in milk seems to help the potassium work). And lots of water. From what some have said, I'll be adding salt back into my diet.
Stretching as many muscles as I can before going to bed also helps. When the cramps hit, it's all I can do to get out of bed to begin stretching the offending muscles. Walking is out of the question. I must look like Frankenstein's monster when I try to walk. (I got one while in my car last week and couldn't get out to stretch due to the pain.)
Even if my doctor doesn't "get it" it's good to know you all do!
I was suffering terribly from cramps in the front of my thighs. It literally put me out of commission for several days afterwards. They would come when I would move from a place of rest into some activity--getting up off a couch, rolling over in my sleep. My chiropractor told me it was diet related. He told me to go to a health food store and get a really good source of powdered calcium and powered magnesium and to take some huge doaes of these minerals...several times the recommended daily dose...knowing that any "extra" that my body did not need would be sluffed off in the form of diarrhea. He suggested that I also add potassium tablets to this. I did this and after about 3 days, I did experience some diarrhea, so I backed off of it some, but then my bowel became normal within just a few days. Within two weeks, my cramps were starting to subside. I continue to take one of these calcium/magnesium/potassium cocktail daily and I also take potassium and I have not had any thigh cramps for nearly two months now. I really think the magnesium more than anything else was the key. I have taken calcium for a number of years now, but I had never taken the megnesium until now. It would be worth a try for anyone dealing with the pain and agony that these thigh cramps bring on.
I have found liquid calcium will stop my horrible thigh cramps. If I'm out of that I use a handful of rolaids or tums.....the key is keeping the calcium by my bedside. This morning I woke up with a bottle in my bed after experiencing a really bad cramp and wanting to keep the calcium close by for the next possible attack!