New member, few issues, type one

[rose viking]

I'm experiencing extremely painful leg cramps at night and in the morning some times. Sounds like potassium lack is the reason, but how can I ingest it ? I don't like bananas all the much.

[jazzbo]

Hi Rose Viking! Welcome to the forum. I'm not big on bananas either, but I do like tomato juice. If you buy the low sodium tomato juice, you'll find there is a lot of potassium in it. They substitute potassium for sodium. When I get those leg cramps I drink a glass before going to bed.
Best wishes for your good health.

Jazzbo

[xMenace]

Welcome.

Dehydration can do it too. How are your sugars? High BGs typically means low hydration.

[cyberus]

I'm experiencing extremely painful leg cramps at night and in the morning some times. Sounds like potassium lack is the reason, but how can I ingest it ? I don't like bananas all the much.

Check out the salt substitutes, they are potassium chloride as opposed to sodium chloride and run about 600mg per 1/4 teaspoon (17% dv)
Now unless you need to reduce your salt intake I wouldn't recommend replacing salt with this stuff .. the taste in quantity can be off putting but if you mix it in your usual seasoning blend (ie Lawrys Seasoned Salt) or cooking salt shaker you can increase daily intake dramatically without dealing with the carb load of the various "high in potassium" foods.
Another option is to add a shake into beverages (test small amount first), I put it in my instant iced tea, the bitter/metallic taste is covered by the tea.

[Kat]

Oh! When I was first diagnosed I got those a lot! I haven't for a while though. But OUCh!

[iDream]

Yup, before and for just a little while after my diagnosis I got them bad. Once your sugar is regulated for a bit, they will go away. Sometimes when my sugar goes out of whack I'll get them. Also, when you have a cramp, press right below the base of your nose, the little folded area above the upper lip. This area has a connection with the muscles of the body and will relax the muscles if they begin to cramp. Try that.

[JenBarker]

Also, when you have a cramp, press right below the base of your nose, the little folded area above the upper lip. This area has a connection with the muscles of the body and will relax the muscles if they begin to cramp. Try that.

REEEEEAAAALLLLLY? :D. I get quite bad cramps when I have hypos in the night, so that might be useful to know. This calls for an experiment.

Rose: you might find that a low blood sug can make the muscles spasm, or that high sugs can make things painful - the only way to know is to test often. In the meantime, putting a pillow under the feet helps mine a bit.
Hope it gets easier soon, leg pain is a nuisance
Jen

[notme]

Welcome to Diabetes Forums Rose. I am sorry about the leg cramps. I get them also sometimes. I would definitely have your doctor check your potassium levels. Dehydration from high blood sugar can definitely cause leg cramps.

If you can't tolerate banana, try lima beans, raisins, dried prunes or wheat germ. All of these foods are higher in potassium.

[pandeia]

potatos have a lot. and you've got a better variety: mashed potatos, baked potatos, potato pie, french fries (the healthy sort, of course =]), and stew. =]

[davef]

potatos have a lot. and you've got a better variety: mashed potatos, baked potatos, potato pie, french fries (the healthy sort, of course =]), and stew. =]

Oh I wish I could eat potatoes, but they are so high in Carbs they are something I tend to avoid, guess if you can bolus to cover them they would be an option?

Rose, Welcome to the forums, it's a great place for information and the people here are always ready to help and support.

Visit and post often, hope you get your leg cramps sorted out quickly.