Nexium, as well as the over the counter Prilosec, reduce stomach acid production which inhibits the absorption of certain electrolytes, minerals, and vitamins. They can work so well on stomach acid that you may end up with a slightly different problem. In particular, magnesium is not absorbed well in a low acid environment. If you don't get enough dietary magnesium, then your body will pull it from your muscles and bones. Sometimes, supplementing with calcium can actually further upset the balance because your body has a ratio of calcium to magnesium in the blood (I want to say it's 8:1, but can't remember for sure), so, if you add a bunch of calcium, you essentially further "decrease" the amount of magnesium available. One way to help differentiate the type of imbalance is with the type of cramp - if your toes point in, your ankle locks, and the muscle on the top, outside of your shin hardens, then it is may be an extensor plantar reflex, associated with low magnesium. You may be describing tetany - usually caused by low magnesium or calcium. You can ask your doc about it, but they are generally not very familiar - try looking online some more. Also, it is uncommon for doctors to test for low magnesium as the test is not standard, expensive for the proper one, etc. You can try wikipedia too, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypomagnesia. I fought that problem for a long time, in part because of a copper IUD (copper inhibits magnesium absorption too). Hope that helps!

What you're describing sounds like hemochromatosis.(sp?)I worked with a man who had this condition and had to have routine tests and when the iron level got too high, he would "give" a pint or two of blood to lower the levels. Not doing this can cause severe liver damage. Point being. Be absolutely sure the water is the problem. Could be causative but still not control the problem enough not to cause liver damage. I would still have the tests to be sure. If after a period of time and with the dr's approval, stop treatment. Oh yes! He would go several months without a problem before the levels got high enough for a "donation." quotes are because the iron rich blood is discarded but he went to the blood bank to have it done.

My DH takes Calcet Plus (vit D) every day.If he doesn't take it for a few days or runs out he has cramps.It doesn't do anything for me though.

I hate bananas. I take 2 potassium pills everyday. My DS tole me it would help. I also have had a bar of soap under my mattress for years. Nobody can figure out why that works but it does. Sometimes I can feel a cramp start but then it lets go right away. DH who has Type 2 diabetes used to have a lot of cramps too but not anymore. My brother who has a nerve disorder has them really bad. His doctor at Mayo Clinic told him to drink mineral water and now he never has them either.