muscle spasms! - page 2

1. 
   Jun 6, '02

   Occupation: Forensic/Psychiatric LVN Joined: May '02; Posts: 1,164; Likes: 80

   Originally posted by jevans
   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

   Tonic water also has Quinine in it. I suffer from "Restless Leg Syndrome" and have pains in my legs at night pretty often. I take Calcium and Vitamin E daily. If I can feel my legs starting to hurt before going to bed, I lay in a hot bath with aromatherapy candles burning and sip a cold glass of tonic water with lemon. Then I can usually sleep without the pain.
2. 
   Jun 6, '02

   Occupation: research nurse Joined: Oct '01; Posts: 1,878; Likes: 44

   Rebecca -
   
   The way to get rid of the leg cramps instantly is to stand at arms-length from the wall, hands on the wall at shoulder-height and do several push-ups, pausing with your chest against the wall. That stretches the muscles out. As soon as they let go, walk around and let them warm up.
   
   I suffered with horrible leg cramps the entire time every time I've been pregnant (which was my first thought - and then remembered some of your other posts. )
   
   Be careful with the quinine, K+, etc. Stretching exercices to keep those muscles supple probably would be good, too.
   
   Love
   
   Dennie

   Last edit by NurseDennie on Jun 6, '02
3. 
   Jun 6, '02

   Joined: Apr '01; Posts: 334; Likes: 5

   Me too. Used to get them more often, just like you described, when I was working in the hospital. I too always eat a banana for the K+ and that takes care of the problem for me. I also force myself to get up and walk, which makes it go away faster.
4. 
   Jun 6, '02

   Joined: May '01; Posts: 2,979; Likes: 7

   Nurse Dennie says:
   

   I suffered with horrible leg cramps the entire time every time I've been pregnant (which was my first thought - and then remembered some of your other posts. )

   Thanks for a laugh.
   
   
   I truly appreciate all the helpful replies. I never knew so many people had these horrible muscle cramps... how can you deal with it? My legs are *still* sore and I haven't had any cramps in them. They seemed to have moved up into my shoulders and back. The ER doc's medical advice for .05 was that I'm not eating enough to maintain my electrolytes and need to eat more, take a vitamin, or both.
   He also prescribed some Skelaxin, so I'll let y'all know how that works out.
   Thanks again.... you guys rock!
   :roll
5. 
   Jun 7, '02

   Occupation: RN Joined: Nov '01; Posts: 1,418; Likes: 25

   A hot bath and orange juice help too. I'd do the banana AND the OJ-the OJ works more quickly, the banana will carry you over until morning.

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