Question 1

what causes leg cramps in both legs?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Although most commonly affecting the lower legs, restless leg syndrome can also affect the lower back and arms. The symptoms tend to be worse at night and also with inactivity and are accompanied by an urge to move. Moving only temporarily alleviates the symptoms.

Question 2

what can cause leg cramps in both legs in the evenings?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Although most commonly affecting the lower legs, restless leg syndrome can also affect the lower back and arms. The symptoms tend to be worse at night and also with inactivity and are accompanied by an urge to move. Moving only temporarily alleviates the symptoms.

Question 3

i have really bad leg cramps ever night.i have tried every thing i know to do. it is several times a night in both legs at the same time, knees down ?

Accepted Answer

Need some tests: You might have an electrolyte imbalance, or a side effect of medications (especially a statin, or medication to  lower your cholesterol).   You should give your doctor a call, or go to a clinic for some tests.  Be sure to bring any medications including supplements, so the ingredients can be checked.

Question 4

i had a hemorrhagic stroke in may of 2021. i am 72.5 yrs old. it paralyzed my right side but i have recovered most functionality. i have severe leg cramps in both legs. mostly at night. i do have rls. i think it may be related to my meds?

Accepted Answer

: Nocturnal leg cramps are very common, and can have numerous causes.  Untreated RLS may be a factor, so getting this under control may help. I would recommend reviewing your meds with your Dr, and asking for some lab work to check your thyroid, electrolytes (include magnesium). Staying well hydrated, stretching your thighs, calves and feet before bedtime, and taking a warm bath before bed may help.

Question 5

are severe nocturnal leg cramps sign of any illnesses? both legs affected. just switched from soma to flexeril (cyclobenzaprine hcl) b/c daytime fatigue. want to avoid soma

Accepted Answer

Maybe withdrawal...: Soma (carisoprodol) is broken down by the body into a drug called "meprobamete" that has some barbiturate like characteristics. When you stop taking Soma (carisoprodol) it can cause some withdrawal-like syndromes. The bottom line is that if you are experiencing any symptoms after starting a new medication you should contact the prescriber right away.

Question 6

leg pain i have leg cramps often , sometimes very painfull. one night i was up all night . about 4am i heard a pop and unberable pain for a few min.s the cramp didnot stop for 2 days.

Accepted Answer

Leg : Leg cramps occur frequently and awaken many people. They are sometimes related to circulation problems, wearing high heeled shoes, spending a lot of time sitting and other activities that shorten the calf muscles. Doctors used to prescribe quinine for the cramps but fda no longer approves of this use. A paper in the new england journal of medicine about thirty years ago suggested leg stretches at bed-time. Stand up against the wall with one foot in front of the other and bend the front knee while keeping the back knee stiff. This stretches the gastrocnemius muscle in the back of the leg. I usually suggest calcium/magnesium tablets as well.If the cramps are in the front and back of the leg at the same time, i usually push hard on the cramped area to make the cramp stop. If you try to stretch one muscle out, the other uscle will cramp more. You may have popped some of the fibers with a severe cramp. The reason it lasted so long was that you may have had some bleeding into the muscle causing irritation. Depending on your age it also would be wise to see your doctor for blood work to check for inbalance of salts in your blood or abnormalities in calcium levels.  
Good luck in resolving this really common and annoying problem.

Question 7

whats the difference between leg cramps and actual leg pain? my pain lasts only few minutes when it happens. no longer than 10 minutes. it happens at random times especially while walking  after getting out of bed or while in bed. thanks

Accepted Answer

Cramps,pain: Muscle cramps are sudden spastic contractions of a muscle that can last a minute or two and leave behind a full ache. In my opinion, leg pain has a less dramatic onset, tends to be more steady and could be from muscle, bone or nerve. It usually occurs in the same problematic area. This is not a clear cut answer,though. Where in the leg exactly does your pain occur and should it be investigated?

Question 8

i had prolonged, massive vomiting for hours. im having leg cramps so im guessing its electrolytes. what can i do for this?

Accepted Answer

Drink: some Gatorade/ Powerade or Pedialyte, or natural coconut water.  Those have the most consistent concentration of potassium (and sodium/ chloride) that you need to rehydrate.  You can also go for some grapefruits ,oranges, bananas and other fruits with potassium.   Keep drinking water, 1 L every hour while you have diarrhea and vomiting.  Cramps don't always mean electrolytes, they could mean water

Question 9

can swelling on back of knee cause leg cramps or are the two unrelated? i wasnt sure if theres a nerve in back of knee or not. it cramps when not swollen too though. thank you.

Accepted Answer

Swelling in the back: The. Knee often is a sign of. Cartilage  Problems  in the knee!  Suggest you see 
Board Certified Orthopedic  Surgeon.
Hope this is helpful
Dr Z

Question 10

how do i help stop leg cramps.?

Accepted Answer

Review meds, exercis: It depends on what is causing them. Lots of reasons exist for leg cramps, including medications, electrolyte problems, vascular problems, etc. If it is from a cholesterol drug called statins, then sometimes stopping or changing the medicine can help. Other times, over the counter medicines help, like naproxyn or ibuprofen. Coq-10 is a supplement that can help. Exercise may help too!

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Doctor answers about:

Leg cramps on outside of both legs

A member asked:

What causes leg cramps in both legs?

A member asked:

What can cause leg cramps in both legs in the evenings?

A member asked:

I have really bad leg cramps ever night.i have tried every thing i know to do. it is several times a night in both legs at the same time, knees down ?

A member asked:

I had a hemorrhagic stroke in may of 2021. i am 72.5 yrs old. it paralyzed my right side but i have recovered most functionality. i have severe leg cramps in both legs. mostly at night. i do have rls. i think it may be related to my meds?

A member asked:

Are severe nocturnal leg cramps sign of any illnesses? both legs affected. just switched from soma to flexeril (cyclobenzaprine hcl) b/c daytime fatigue. want to avoid soma

A member asked:

Leg pain i have leg cramps often , sometimes very painfull. one night i was up all night . about 4am i heard a pop and unberable pain for a few min.s the cramp didnot stop for 2 days.

A member asked:

Whats the difference between leg cramps and actual leg pain? my pain lasts only few minutes when it happens. no longer than 10 minutes. it happens at random times especially while walking after getting out of bed or while in bed. thanks

A member asked:

I had prolonged, massive vomiting for hours. im having leg cramps so im guessing its electrolytes. what can i do for this?

A member asked:

Can swelling on back of knee cause leg cramps or are the two unrelated? i wasnt sure if theres a nerve in back of knee or not. it cramps when not swollen too though. thank you.

A member asked:

How do i help stop leg cramps.?

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