EVERY NOW AND THEN, I GET MUSCLE PAIN IN MY LEG OR THIGH WHEN I GET UP AT NIGHT AFTER GOING TO BED AND SLEEPUNG A COUPLE OF HRS......PAIN HAS ME WHERE I CANNOT STAND STRAIGHT AND AFTER STRETHING IT WILL GO AWAY IN ABOUT 15 MINS....WHAT IS THE CAUSE FOR THIS? I AM 72 YEARS OLD AND BASICALLY AN ACTIVE PERSON......
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. But it is close--simple leg cramp. I've had success with simple magnesium supplements of at least 200 mg a day. The cramp occurs due to an imbalance between brain inhibition of muscles and the muscles wanting to go off on their own. Increased activity, electrlyte issues, hyperventilation all can cause increased muscle activity or tone and trigger cramps. There is slight loss of the inhibitory function of the brain on the muscle beginning at age 30 in everyone so this condition is quite common. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.