can't sleep

**Missy** · 07-03-2003, 05:52 AM

Ugh. I can't get to sleep. It's like my legs are restless, i can't relax them enough to get to sleep, and i keep getting Charlie horses in them over and over again during the night. I have been dealing wiht this for about, maybe 4 nights in a row now. I simply can't relax at all. What little sleep I have gotten was tossing and turning. Anyone else have nights like this? What do you do to relax yourself??

**Labontet** · 07-03-2003, 06:19 AM

The charlie horses might be from a lack of potassium in your system. Eat bananas and drink a lot of water to go with them. Might help some.

As for relaxing, about 1/2 hour before I want to go to bed, I drink a hot mug of Celestial Seasonings, Sleepytime Tea. For really stressed evenings, I will use 2 bags of the tea in the mug. Really seems to work for me.

I hope you find a solution very soon about your legs. I remember getting those all the time when I was in high school. They really hurt.

**Darlene** · 07-03-2003, 07:06 AM

I second the banana advice.

( good advice Cheryl!)
A nice warm bath before bed might help too. Hope it clears up for you soon, it drives me nuts when it happens to me.

**simplemom** · 07-03-2003, 07:38 AM

Melissa...(((((hugs)))))

I hope you can get some sleep eventually...Sleep is so imortant...

What is *Charlie horses* in our legs?

**Darlene** · 07-03-2003, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by simplemom
Melissa...(((((hugs))))) I hope you can get some sleep eventually...Sleep is so imortant...

What is *Charlie horses* in our legs?

Charlie horses are leg cramps( spasms). They are not fun.
Just read a site on those & it said besides streaching properly before exercising Stay Hydrated.

**captclearance** · 07-03-2003, 09:41 AM

Oh Melissa, I'm sorry, I know how not sleeping just ruins the whole day...... Try a sleep aid for just a day or two and see if your sleep pattern returns........ I hope the cramps stop and you and get some sleep !!!!!!!!!!!

**voodidit** · 07-03-2003, 12:30 PM

I feel for you, I have the same problems. Potassium helps with the leg cramps, I take a suplement when I can remember or like was already said a banana a day keeps the cramps away..lol.

With the sleep I can't help, I am so exhausted all the time but still have a hard time sleeping or even just getting to sleep.

**paelthom** · 07-03-2003, 12:59 PM

Melissa,
Have you ever tried a sound machine? Both me and dd use one that plays the sound of rain. On those nights I can't get to sleep otherwise, it really comes in handy. I second the advise on potassium and add maybe you are low on calcium as well. That can affect your legs. I hope you can get a good nights sleep tonight.

pat

**Milhos** · 07-03-2003, 01:09 PM

This happens to me every pregnancy. I was getting a lot of middle of the night charlie horses for a while and my doctor told me that I wasn't drinking enough water and that I needed to do a couple of toe touch kind of stretches before bed. I haven't had any problems since.

**PrairieRose** · 07-03-2003, 06:24 PM

I hope you get relief soon, it really does ruin your days when you're nites are messed up.

**SewCrafty** · 07-03-2003, 06:51 PM

Hope you have a restful night tonight and no leg cramps!

**graci42** · 07-06-2003, 10:38 AM

Talk to your doctor before you try this, but a friend of mine takes 800 mg Vit. E for leg cramps. She swears by it!

**AmyMCGS** · 07-06-2003, 11:37 AM

To relieve them, try pulling your toes up (towards your knees) as far as you can and hold them there. My urge when I have them is to let my toes curl up, but stretching them out actually shortens the cramp time.

I drink Sleepytime Tea or another chamomile tea when I need to relax. I also pray the rosary.

Hope you have a restful night tonight, Melissa!