I have often had calf muscle cramp, but this is easily dealt with by walking about. However, last night I had a thigh muscle cramp which was far more acute than anything I had had before. The pain was excruciating and lasted ten minutes. My face went grey and I almost fainted. I couldn't walk and massaging seemed to have little effect.
I can & do feel for you as I get thigh cramp, & it is the inside of my thigh from the groin to the knee, & lasts for 5 to 15 mins. I have a heart cndition & the spray I use for my angina seemed to ease my cramp last night?
If age has anything to do with it I am 57.
I often get these cramps, I have found that the best relief comes from not getting up and trying to stretch (which is agonising and does not help!) but try to relax into the pain if possible, it does go much quicker this way. Drinking water possibly helps and taking a homeopathic remedy called Mag Phos, number 8 in the New Era range - available from most chemists.
Good luck
Last night I was in a restaurant on a first date when the back of my thigh just locked, which ever way I tried to move it just wouldn't give it was excruciating and lasted for 10mins, thought I was going to pass out at one point......just wanted the ground to swallow me up! The poor guy didn't know what to do.....and neither did I!!
I went through a bout of calf cramps every morning a while back and found a sports massage, although agony, really cured it. The masseur found the knot and pressed it firmly for what seemed like ages but it certainly did the trick. I do hope the thigh cramp was a one off. Tho will try some Mag Phos. If it happened again I think the best way would be to try your best to stand and walk, hopefully you won't be in the middle of a restaurant with a guy you barely know though!
I also get cramp in various places but am with you all when it comes to cramp in the thighs. I was interested to see I was not alone with the near feinting and once had it in both thighs resulting in being sick. I do find I have to get up and generally head for the bathroom, I find that cold water on my face, neck and thigh helps stave off the feinting and eventually helps alleviate the intense pain.
I also seem to get bouts if I stop walking after a period of exercise, or starting walking after a period of idleness – so perhaps it’s better to do one or the other.
Hi,Ive had that cramping in the upper thigh quite a few times,the first time I stretched in bed,well I nearly couldnt handle it,Ive never had such a deep horrible pain like that before,after reading bout others that get it,it helps to know your not an isolated case,but today 14th April its the 3rd day in a row Ive had it, this third day not nearly so bad,its telling me it could start any time.if there are any medical staff reading this,why? does it occur,why so very painful and what can u really do to help,Ive been imaging my thigh vein was blocked or something or is it circulation,lack of salt.someone must have some answers,if you have the answers let us all no please
Point your toes down for thigh cramp (up for calf)isotonic drinks help If in agony I just keep Walking.crampex tablets also help.
Seems to be associated with dehydration so keep up your water intake especially with alcohol.
I have just bought some tablets from USA called HYLITES for golfers which I have just started taking and which may help
Hi
I have had these cramps in my right leg for months. They are the worst cramps I have ever had. I asked my GP about them and his suggestion was to stop taking the statin I take after a heart attack. I didn't feel this was very helpful as there were no alternatives discussed. Has anyone else been advised to stop taking a statin?
I had thigh muscle cramps again last night. I experienced it a couple of times a couple of years ago but had forgotten about them. Wow! The cramp returned last night, it was unbearable and very very scary as I live alone. The muscle was actually bulging and rippling so just kept massaging it and continued walking around. I wondered if it was going to end? This was better as the last time it happened I was unable to move and dragged myself across the floor by my hands and arms.
It subsided after 15 minutes or so. Has anyone any idea what this might be please? I am 57 but very active and cycle to destinations each day instead of using the car. However i do smoke still. I am expecting most responses to focus on smoking but please be balanced and not signpost to this unnecessarily.
Many thanks, Dave
I feel for you Dave and thankfully I have not experienced thigh cramp since my awful excruciating experience a few years back!
I read in a magazine that pinching the web like piece of skin in between your thumb and forefinger eases cramps and I have to say it works for me! Except I don't pinch, if I feel a cramp coming on be it my toes, calves, or foot then I shove that area of my hand in my mouth and bite that piece of skin like lightening!!!! Loooool and it works!!!!
I have also heard and found cramps can occur, when you're dehydrated or from lack of salt in your body.
Book yourself in for a sports massage if it re-occurs as that worked for me also.
Hope that helps, Good luck
Jane
Thank you Jane. Chemist said electrolyte and quinnine. But she's not allowed to dispense without a prescription. I'm going to see doctor Friday morning Jane. It's been in the background all day but I'm hoping it won't reappear tonight. I'm grateful for your kind thoughts thanks.
From memory I think I was prescribed quinine, and was advised not to take it after I'd got it, read up on it first, am pretty sure it's what they also give for Malaria. Just be sure before you take it. Good luck
I have night cramps occasionally for some time, but last night I had the most excruciating I have experienced. it affected my whole right leg, and wouldn't respond to stretching or massage. I was unable to move for a while, a terrifying experience. It's actually reassuring to find others with the same experience. I hate to think I might have this again!
I started having this extremely painful cramp in my right inner thigh about 5 years ago. It reoccurs about every 4-6 months. I was really frightened the first time I had it as it is very scary. I have found it better to stay in bed as getting up seems to make it worse. I furiously massage the muscle with both hands squeezing as hard and as fast as I can. Once the pain subsides, I stretch my leg out straight, lying on the side of the cramp. My theory as to the reason could well be dehydration. I don't drink much water and I had had a few glasses of wine. My doctor told me it could be a magnesium deficiency which seems to help but then I forget to take them for a while.
Thanks Pamela, yes I need to go to docs. I would be so scared if it happened again. It lays dormant for a while. I drink lots of fluids during the day and do not drink alcohol. It must be an electrolyte thing or the like
Leg cramps are bad but those in the upper thighs are the worse. I occasionally get them in the lower leg
and relaxing helps. My first experience with upper thigh cramps in both legs was about 5 years ago after
several hours of dancing. Had it lasted for 5 minutes more an ambulance would have been called. Absolutely terrifying. I had one in the right upper thigh last night when I tried to get up off the couch. The pain was
intense, accompanied by cold sweats, and stomach pain that sent me to the bathroom which is bad
because sitting causes increased pain. Usually it stops after 10 to 15 minutes after drinking lots of water
and 2 ibuprofen .Subsequently, I experience muscle pain in the area for a few days after.I was once
prescribed quanine which worked much quicker to alleviate the pain, but I believe exhaustion followed by
inactivity and dehydration is a major cause.
To Alpha08
You are telling my story - live in NJ USA - I get those horrendous thigh cramps usually when I go to get up from couch. Sometimes I get a little warning tingle or tenderness in inner thigh and say - Oh no - it;s on for tonite! LOL" Then I wait..... Yes it is the worst pain (including child birth) that I have ever experienced BECAUSE it's intractable. Meaning the pain cannot be ignored and it does not stop until it is good and ready. It's a type of pain that brings tears to your eyes and prayers to God to make it stop. I just usually try to get to the kitch counter and hang on and pray for them to stop. Strangely - when it does stop - it totally stops. I used to feel so alone until I started hitting the Net. Now I know many people get these type. I also get tortured by calf cramps at night but at least if you get up and start walking they will ease up a bit. NOT SO FOR THE THIGH!. You totally and everyone else has my empathy. The doctors do not have any meds or answers since quinine is banned now.
By the way my primary Dr thought it might be coming from my lower spine issues but could not say for certain.
Re: upper thigh cramps, on reading comments by others, I notice most all say upper
RIGHT thigh. Had my first, night before last. Terrible excruciating pain and the cramp was unresolvable by normal techniques. It even effected my breathing and I was
preparing to call 911 by unlocking my front door. Some folks suggest electrolytes for
which my Dr prescribed Gatorade for a previous dehydration situation. I have just started to take Magnesium (400 mg morning and night)
I'm somewhat relieved to know that I'm not alone in this experience; a first time for me at 77 years of age and not too sedentary; I do work, walk and bicycle
John "K"
Left Thigh excruciating pain when I lay down to sleep, something like a cramp but will not subside as a cramp does.
So to the point, my efforts to deal with my problem, a Doctor that I visited said the nerve protruding at L4 on the lumbar is the same nerve that travels to the left thigh and that is possibly the cause of my pain.
A quick diagnosis perhaps and I must add I'm grateful to say the lease since doctors generally just prefer to write prescriptions and increase their office income.
He gave me some little steroid and I inhaled Motrin and the other pain maskers like ibuprofen and Vicodin.
I got some relief but my problem has not gone completely all that was 3 months ago, it's not so excruciating now more numb and cold knee but with left thigh pain too especially when I lay down but manageable w/out medication.