muscle spasms!

semstr · Jun 5, 2002

Eat a banana or take Magnesium tablets.

take care, Renee

Anagray, BSN · Jun 5, 2002

I had leg cramps all the time for a couple years. Haven't had them in a very long time since.

I noticed that I would get cramps at night if:

- i was dehydrated

- didn't eat properly

- did strenuous exercise, which effected my legs ( I was lifting 150 lb at work)

- walked barefoot on cold surfaces for a long time

Natasha

fedupnurse · Jun 5, 2002

Sounds like a wicked charley horse. Instead of massaging, or in addition to, try flexing your foot. Up and down and also in circles. I ahev heard the best thing is to try to walk them out. Agree with the Mag. When mine gets a little low I get PVC's and hand cramps. Maybe you used muscles you didn't know you had when you were at the concert.

Feel Better!!

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2002

Potassium. Eat a bananna. :)

jevans · Jun 5, 2002

Have to agree with banannas but a quick solution is Bitter lemon- it has quinnine in it

Cramp is really horrible,

Hope my tip works

j

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 5, 2002

i agree, eat a bit of potassium....but if it persists, i would call a dr. or even ASK A NURSE at your local hosp...hey it's free

delirium · Jun 6, 2002

Thanks all.

I think it may be related to poor intake, I have terrible eating habits and have been known to go for most of the day without eating anything.

I had some fruit for dinner and drank some gatorade. Maybe I'll go on a multivitamin?

Anyway, my legs are still wicked sore and I had a horrendous cramp in my shoulder a few hours ago. This absolutely sucks!

It does seem to help if I flex the area that's cramping and massage at the same time... the pain is just so intense.

The wildest thing is that I can see the muscles, I can see every ripple of muscle sticking out. My quads looked like they belonged on an olympic speed skater they were so thick and muscular. It would have been cool if I weren't groaning in pain.

Thanks for the input everyone! I'm going to try to eat well tomorrow, stay well hydrated, and think about buying some vitamins. Any opinions on which are best to buy or if they are necessary at all?

cbs3143 · Jun 6, 2002

Hi Rebecca,

I often wake up during the night with cramps in my calves, or get them during the day at times. To aleiviate the immediate discomfort, I press my foot against the wall or another solid object. That works much better than massaging the cramp. I have used firm dorsiflexion with patients experiencing leg cramps in the ER with prompt relief of pain as well.

I don't know anything about eating bananas to prevent cramps. I eat them frequently and still get leg cramps, but I also have a neurologic disorder with a chronic bilateral footdrop that may be the culprit. Pressing the bottom of my foot against a firm object works well for me though.

Chuck

meandragonbrett · Jun 6, 2002

I get them all the time in my calves and in my feet. They are awful. Nothing's helped subdue them so far.

Brett

thisnurse · Jun 6, 2002

i get them too. i get up and walk. yes it hurts like crazy but they go away faster ....at least for me.

Previliaged · Jun 6, 2002

Iam an athlete and a student nurse, and my physio advised me to take a two in one calcium-magnesium supplement, usually taken in tablet form, that you can get at all health food stores or pharmistist stores. It helps prevent cramps, that I used to get when I sustained tears in my hamstring. Work for me.