muscle spasms!

[delirium]

Hey all:

I have a really strange problem. Twice last night I was awakened out of a deep sleep with excruciating pain in my leg (first one, then the other). I had such a severe mucle spasm in my calf that I was almost in tears... (never happened before). I desperately tried to massage it out and it spread to my quadriceps in my thigh. Ouch! Once it was over, and I tried to walk, it was really tight and painful and I ended up limping for a little bit.

What in the world is going on?

I am a young woman, in good shape, haven't started any different exercise program, didn't do anything spectacular last night besides jump around at a Pink concert.

Any ideas?

Btw, I *hate* going to the doc, but will listen to any opinions with an open mind and aching legs.

Thanks in advance,

Reb

[BadBird, BSN, RN]

When was the last time you had a physical including blood tests, could be low potassium or magnesium. Call your family doctor, let him / her know, mabey you could get flexeril if it doesn't get better. Good luck

[KaraLea, LVN]

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.

[NurseDennie, BSN, RN]

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

[Huganurse]

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.

[delirium]

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.

:rotfl:

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

[CATHYW]

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.