Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Hi Joyce I only get the odd muscle cramps at night now, but I used to get them all the time after a good walk. My chiropractor showed my some leg stretches to do immediately after walking, which help. Ask your physio or chiro or massage therapist for advice, as it's kind of hard to describe them in words. Secondly, when the cramps were really bad, I found it helped to take a muscle relaxant (Robaxisal or Robaxacet; they are available over the counter in Canada; don't know about in the U.S.) right after exercising, so that the muscles didn't have time to seize up. Of course, this masks the problem, but after awhile I found that just stretching would do the trick and I didn't have to take them any more. Now I only take one if I get really bad attacks at night and can't sleep. Third suggestion, make sure your calcium intake is sufficient. Good luck, n rBHR Oct.3002 McMinn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Joyce and n, Don't mean to step into a conversation where I don't belong, but there's a fourth thing to do for leg cramps... and that's to make sure you're getting enough water. Alan > Hi Joyce > I only get the odd muscle cramps at night now, but I used to get > them all the time after a good walk. My chiropractor showed my some > leg stretches to do immediately after walking, which help. Ask your > physio or chiro or massage therapist for advice, as it's kind of hard > to describe them in words. > Secondly, when the cramps were really bad, I found it helped to > take a muscle relaxant (Robaxisal or Robaxacet; they are available > over the counter in Canada; don't know about in the U.S.) right after > exercising, so that the muscles didn't have time to seize up. Of > course, this masks the problem, but after awhile I found that just > stretching would do the trick and I didn't have to take them any more. > Now I only take one if I get really bad attacks at night and can't sleep. > Third suggestion, make sure your calcium intake is sufficient. > Good luck, > n > rBHR Oct.3002 McMinn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Hi Alan, No need to apologize; of course you belong in this conversation! Anything posted to the board is open to anyone to respond to; otherwise I would have sent Joyce a private message. Your suggestion about drinking lots of water is a very good one. I'm always trying to remember to do that. Also, some of the fluids should be juice, milk, or other non-caffeine, non-carbonated beverages, so that you don't deplete all your electrolytes or whatever. Some people get sick from drinking too MUCH distilled water. n > Don't mean to step into a conversation where I don't belong, but > there's a fourth thing to do for leg cramps... and that's to make > sure you're getting enough water. > > Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Hi Alan, No need to apologize; of course you belong in this conversation! Anything posted to the board is open to anyone to respond to; otherwise I would have sent Joyce a private message. Your suggestion about drinking lots of water is a very good one. I'm always trying to remember to do that. Also, some of the fluids should be juice, milk, or other non-caffeine, non-carbonated beverages, so that you don't deplete all your electrolytes or whatever. Some people get sick from drinking too MUCH distilled water. n > Don't mean to step into a conversation where I don't belong, but > there's a fourth thing to do for leg cramps... and that's to make > sure you're getting enough water. > > Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 From: Joyce Graves To: surfacehippy Sent: 7/5/2004 7:06:26 PM Subject: RE: Re: Muscle cramps Hey, folks -- I'm very glad to get your suggestions on these muscle cramps. Alan, buddy, always glad to get your input -- and as n said, everything posted to the board is for all of us to address. It would tickle me to death if lots of people would contribute their experiences with muscles cramps. AND lower back ache. The calcium and water suggestions struck home with me. And, though so far I've gone it alone vis-a-vis my rehab, I think it's wise that I now get some professional assistance with this muscle stuff. For one thing, since I've moved to Maine, I haven't been to the chiropractor or gotten a massage -- this week I'm going to take care of that. Though I haven't used it recently, I know that the cane makes a difference in this muscle cramping. Have you all noticed that even with almost no " leaning " on the cane, it takes tremendous stress off of the leg/hip? Anyway, anyone with any suggestions about muscle cramping -- please post. What about the surgical site -- adhesions? Could that be contributing? How does one know if that's an issue? Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR, 2/2/04) sungold518@... Re: Muscle cramps Hi Alan, No need to apologize; of course you belong in this conversation! Anything posted to the board is open to anyone to respond to; otherwise I would have sent Joyce a private message. Your suggestion about drinking lots of water is a very good one. I'm always trying to remember to do that. Also, some of the fluids should be juice, milk, or other non-caffeine, non-carbonated beverages, so that you don't deplete all your electrolytes or whatever. Some people get sick from drinking too MUCH distilled water. n > Don't mean to step into a conversation where I don't belong, but > there's a fourth thing to do for leg cramps... and that's to make > sure you're getting enough water. > > Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 From: Joyce Graves To: surfacehippy Sent: 7/5/2004 7:06:26 PM Subject: RE: Re: Muscle cramps Hey, folks -- I'm very glad to get your suggestions on these muscle cramps. Alan, buddy, always glad to get your input -- and as n said, everything posted to the board is for all of us to address. It would tickle me to death if lots of people would contribute their experiences with muscles cramps. AND lower back ache. The calcium and water suggestions struck home with me. And, though so far I've gone it alone vis-a-vis my rehab, I think it's wise that I now get some professional assistance with this muscle stuff. For one thing, since I've moved to Maine, I haven't been to the chiropractor or gotten a massage -- this week I'm going to take care of that. Though I haven't used it recently, I know that the cane makes a difference in this muscle cramping. Have you all noticed that even with almost no " leaning " on the cane, it takes tremendous stress off of the leg/hip? Anyway, anyone with any suggestions about muscle cramping -- please post. What about the surgical site -- adhesions? Could that be contributing? How does one know if that's an issue? Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR, 2/2/04) sungold518@... Re: Muscle cramps Hi Alan, No need to apologize; of course you belong in this conversation! Anything posted to the board is open to anyone to respond to; otherwise I would have sent Joyce a private message. Your suggestion about drinking lots of water is a very good one. I'm always trying to remember to do that. Also, some of the fluids should be juice, milk, or other non-caffeine, non-carbonated beverages, so that you don't deplete all your electrolytes or whatever. Some people get sick from drinking too MUCH distilled water. n > Don't mean to step into a conversation where I don't belong, but > there's a fourth thing to do for leg cramps... and that's to make > sure you're getting enough water. > > Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Guys, I went through a real bad cramping phase while surfing starting at about age 38. I have a tri-athalon buddy who hooked me up with a liquid mineral drink. I take a shot of it when I'm going to be burning things up more than usual and it has done the trick for me. I mean, I was getting hamstring cramps while out surfing on big days, and that is no laughing matter. The secret sauce did the trick.... even if it tastes like beetle dung. Chris > > Hi Joyce > > I only get the odd muscle cramps at night now, but I used to get > > them all the time after a good walk. My chiropractor showed my some > > leg stretches to do immediately after walking, which help. Ask your > > physio or chiro or massage therapist for advice, as it's kind of > hard > > to describe them in words. > > Secondly, when the cramps were really bad, I found it helped to > > take a muscle relaxant (Robaxisal or Robaxacet; they are available > > over the counter in Canada; don't know about in the U.S.) right > after > > exercising, so that the muscles didn't have time to seize up. Of > > course, this masks the problem, but after awhile I found that just > > stretching would do the trick and I didn't have to take them any > more. > > Now I only take one if I get really bad attacks at night and can't > sleep. > > Third suggestion, make sure your calcium intake is sufficient. > > Good luck, > > n > > rBHR Oct.3002 McMinn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Guys, I went through a real bad cramping phase while surfing starting at about age 38. I have a tri-athalon buddy who hooked me up with a liquid mineral drink. I take a shot of it when I'm going to be burning things up more than usual and it has done the trick for me. I mean, I was getting hamstring cramps while out surfing on big days, and that is no laughing matter. The secret sauce did the trick.... even if it tastes like beetle dung. Chris > > Hi Joyce > > I only get the odd muscle cramps at night now, but I used to get > > them all the time after a good walk. My chiropractor showed my some > > leg stretches to do immediately after walking, which help. Ask your > > physio or chiro or massage therapist for advice, as it's kind of > hard > > to describe them in words. > > Secondly, when the cramps were really bad, I found it helped to > > take a muscle relaxant (Robaxisal or Robaxacet; they are available > > over the counter in Canada; don't know about in the U.S.) right > after > > exercising, so that the muscles didn't have time to seize up. Of > > course, this masks the problem, but after awhile I found that just > > stretching would do the trick and I didn't have to take them any > more. > > Now I only take one if I get really bad attacks at night and can't > sleep. > > Third suggestion, make sure your calcium intake is sufficient. > > Good luck, > > n > > rBHR Oct.3002 McMinn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Hi everyone. Here's what I think about muscles and cramps, for what it's worth. I have found in myself (and observed in others) that muscle cramps occur mainly with fatigue. Even great athletes on good diets will cramp up after running around on a muddy field for an hour. The thing to remember is that fatigue is relative and certainly related to prior training and diet. The point at which a muscle becomes tired enough to cramp depends on your diet but (more importantly, I feel) how well trained it is to deal with what you are putting it through. Now this is where a whole bunch of other variables can have an effect. - A dietary supplement may be sufficient to prevent cramp in a tired muscle. Also, it may not. - You may get sore, aching muscles as an indication that you may cramp up soon, but you may cramp up in muscles which aren't getting sore (just because a muscle isn't getting sore, doesn't mean it's not being fatigued). - Different muscles attachments can affect a muscle likelihood of cramping (eg, hamstrings cramp more than quadriceps do). - A " whole muscle " doesn't have to be affected to cramp. When a muscle contracts only the necessary bits (called motor units) contract...the rest go along for the ride. Eg, if you lift 10 lbs, x motor units may be required to contract...if you lift 20 lbs, twice as many motor units may be required to contract and so on (that's why you lift weights...so that as much of the muscle as possible actually contracts). I wonder if it's the same with muscle cramps. The pain of a cramp feels like it's going through the whole muscle but it may well be just a few particularly cramp-susceptible motor units are cramping. That may be a relief if you're worried about having lots of cramps. It may actually be a small problem (although it won't feel like it). I'd say after a resurf, you'd be using muscles you haven't used for a while, or that you've use differently for years (via a limp, etc) so, they'll get tired very easily. They may be missing an important nutrient if your wounds are still healing. Who knows. I'd say by eating well (use supplements if you think they help) and by getting stronger, the cramps should gradually fade away (unless you're trying to increase your endurance and strength, in which case your muscles will often be tired, but that's OK, because they'll adapt eventually!). On a related note, if you're still awake, I've thought about what happens when one's backside muscles cut during a resurf. I reckon that they'll heal well, because muscles have a good blood supply. But there'd have to be some scar tissue at the cut site which would be tough and inflexible. In effect, it would be as if you had two separate muscles where once upon a time you had one. I reckon this could have a significant effect on the way your butt muscle works, and the muscles around it, and the connective tissues, and everything else. Any thoughts (especially from our medics)? Now if you'll excuse me my brain's cramping. Tony > > Hi Joyce > > I only get the odd muscle cramps at night now, but I used to get > > them all the time after a good walk. My chiropractor showed my some > > leg stretches to do immediately after walking, which help. Ask your > > physio or chiro or massage therapist for advice, as it's kind of > hard > > to describe them in words. > > Secondly, when the cramps were really bad, I found it helped to > > take a muscle relaxant (Robaxisal or Robaxacet; they are available > > over the counter in Canada; don't know about in the U.S.) right > after > > exercising, so that the muscles didn't have time to seize up. Of > > course, this masks the problem, but after awhile I found that just > > stretching would do the trick and I didn't have to take them any > more. > > Now I only take one if I get really bad attacks at night and can't > sleep. > > Third suggestion, make sure your calcium intake is sufficient. > > Good luck, > > n > > rBHR Oct.3002 McMinn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Hi everyone. Here's what I think about muscles and cramps, for what it's worth. I have found in myself (and observed in others) that muscle cramps occur mainly with fatigue. Even great athletes on good diets will cramp up after running around on a muddy field for an hour. The thing to remember is that fatigue is relative and certainly related to prior training and diet. The point at which a muscle becomes tired enough to cramp depends on your diet but (more importantly, I feel) how well trained it is to deal with what you are putting it through. Now this is where a whole bunch of other variables can have an effect. - A dietary supplement may be sufficient to prevent cramp in a tired muscle. Also, it may not. - You may get sore, aching muscles as an indication that you may cramp up soon, but you may cramp up in muscles which aren't getting sore (just because a muscle isn't getting sore, doesn't mean it's not being fatigued). - Different muscles attachments can affect a muscle likelihood of cramping (eg, hamstrings cramp more than quadriceps do). - A " whole muscle " doesn't have to be affected to cramp. When a muscle contracts only the necessary bits (called motor units) contract...the rest go along for the ride. Eg, if you lift 10 lbs, x motor units may be required to contract...if you lift 20 lbs, twice as many motor units may be required to contract and so on (that's why you lift weights...so that as much of the muscle as possible actually contracts). I wonder if it's the same with muscle cramps. The pain of a cramp feels like it's going through the whole muscle but it may well be just a few particularly cramp-susceptible motor units are cramping. That may be a relief if you're worried about having lots of cramps. It may actually be a small problem (although it won't feel like it). I'd say after a resurf, you'd be using muscles you haven't used for a while, or that you've use differently for years (via a limp, etc) so, they'll get tired very easily. They may be missing an important nutrient if your wounds are still healing. Who knows. I'd say by eating well (use supplements if you think they help) and by getting stronger, the cramps should gradually fade away (unless you're trying to increase your endurance and strength, in which case your muscles will often be tired, but that's OK, because they'll adapt eventually!). On a related note, if you're still awake, I've thought about what happens when one's backside muscles cut during a resurf. I reckon that they'll heal well, because muscles have a good blood supply. But there'd have to be some scar tissue at the cut site which would be tough and inflexible. In effect, it would be as if you had two separate muscles where once upon a time you had one. I reckon this could have a significant effect on the way your butt muscle works, and the muscles around it, and the connective tissues, and everything else. Any thoughts (especially from our medics)? Now if you'll excuse me my brain's cramping. Tony > > Hi Joyce > > I only get the odd muscle cramps at night now, but I used to get > > them all the time after a good walk. My chiropractor showed my some > > leg stretches to do immediately after walking, which help. Ask your > > physio or chiro or massage therapist for advice, as it's kind of > hard > > to describe them in words. > > Secondly, when the cramps were really bad, I found it helped to > > take a muscle relaxant (Robaxisal or Robaxacet; they are available > > over the counter in Canada; don't know about in the U.S.) right > after > > exercising, so that the muscles didn't have time to seize up. Of > > course, this masks the problem, but after awhile I found that just > > stretching would do the trick and I didn't have to take them any > more. > > Now I only take one if I get really bad attacks at night and can't > sleep. > > Third suggestion, make sure your calcium intake is sufficient. > > Good luck, > > n > > rBHR Oct.3002 McMinn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Hi everyone. Here's what I think about muscles and cramps, for what it's worth. I have found in myself (and observed in others) that muscle cramps occur mainly with fatigue. Even great athletes on good diets will cramp up after running around on a muddy field for an hour. The thing to remember is that fatigue is relative and certainly related to prior training and diet. The point at which a muscle becomes tired enough to cramp depends on your diet but (more importantly, I feel) how well trained it is to deal with what you are putting it through. Now this is where a whole bunch of other variables can have an effect. - A dietary supplement may be sufficient to prevent cramp in a tired muscle. Also, it may not. - You may get sore, aching muscles as an indication that you may cramp up soon, but you may cramp up in muscles which aren't getting sore (just because a muscle isn't getting sore, doesn't mean it's not being fatigued). - Different muscles attachments can affect a muscle likelihood of cramping (eg, hamstrings cramp more than quadriceps do). - A " whole muscle " doesn't have to be affected to cramp. When a muscle contracts only the necessary bits (called motor units) contract...the rest go along for the ride. Eg, if you lift 10 lbs, x motor units may be required to contract...if you lift 20 lbs, twice as many motor units may be required to contract and so on (that's why you lift weights...so that as much of the muscle as possible actually contracts). I wonder if it's the same with muscle cramps. The pain of a cramp feels like it's going through the whole muscle but it may well be just a few particularly cramp-susceptible motor units are cramping. That may be a relief if you're worried about having lots of cramps. It may actually be a small problem (although it won't feel like it). I'd say after a resurf, you'd be using muscles you haven't used for a while, or that you've use differently for years (via a limp, etc) so, they'll get tired very easily. They may be missing an important nutrient if your wounds are still healing. Who knows. I'd say by eating well (use supplements if you think they help) and by getting stronger, the cramps should gradually fade away (unless you're trying to increase your endurance and strength, in which case your muscles will often be tired, but that's OK, because they'll adapt eventually!). On a related note, if you're still awake, I've thought about what happens when one's backside muscles cut during a resurf. I reckon that they'll heal well, because muscles have a good blood supply. But there'd have to be some scar tissue at the cut site which would be tough and inflexible. In effect, it would be as if you had two separate muscles where once upon a time you had one. I reckon this could have a significant effect on the way your butt muscle works, and the muscles around it, and the connective tissues, and everything else. Any thoughts (especially from our medics)? Now if you'll excuse me my brain's cramping. Tony > > Hi Joyce > > I only get the odd muscle cramps at night now, but I used to get > > them all the time after a good walk. My chiropractor showed my some > > leg stretches to do immediately after walking, which help. Ask your > > physio or chiro or massage therapist for advice, as it's kind of > hard > > to describe them in words. > > Secondly, when the cramps were really bad, I found it helped to > > take a muscle relaxant (Robaxisal or Robaxacet; they are available > > over the counter in Canada; don't know about in the U.S.) right > after > > exercising, so that the muscles didn't have time to seize up. Of > > course, this masks the problem, but after awhile I found that just > > stretching would do the trick and I didn't have to take them any > more. > > Now I only take one if I get really bad attacks at night and can't > sleep. > > Third suggestion, make sure your calcium intake is sufficient. > > Good luck, > > n > > rBHR Oct.3002 McMinn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 Hi. I'm so sorry to hear about Brad's pain. I hope he's getting some relief and the cramps have all vanished! I'm not sure if the cramps are linked to PSC or not, but low potassium is often a PSC symptom I believe. Do you know if his potassium level has been checked? That can sometimes cause cramping. If you have access to a home health store (one that sells equipment/items to hospitals and physical therapists, etc.) you may want to see if you can find something called Blue Stuff. It's a gel you put on the area that's cramping and hurting and it worked wonders for me. My pain was so bad I couldn't move and this stuff allowed me to at least get from place A to B. I've also had doctors recommend warm compresses (a damp washcloth warmed in the microwave will work). Hope today's a great day! Sandi in VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 Hi. I'm so sorry to hear about Brad's pain. I hope he's getting some relief and the cramps have all vanished! I'm not sure if the cramps are linked to PSC or not, but low potassium is often a PSC symptom I believe. Do you know if his potassium level has been checked? That can sometimes cause cramping. If you have access to a home health store (one that sells equipment/items to hospitals and physical therapists, etc.) you may want to see if you can find something called Blue Stuff. It's a gel you put on the area that's cramping and hurting and it worked wonders for me. My pain was so bad I couldn't move and this stuff allowed me to at least get from place A to B. I've also had doctors recommend warm compresses (a damp washcloth warmed in the microwave will work). Hope today's a great day! Sandi in VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 Hi. I'm so sorry to hear about Brad's pain. I hope he's getting some relief and the cramps have all vanished! I'm not sure if the cramps are linked to PSC or not, but low potassium is often a PSC symptom I believe. Do you know if his potassium level has been checked? That can sometimes cause cramping. If you have access to a home health store (one that sells equipment/items to hospitals and physical therapists, etc.) you may want to see if you can find something called Blue Stuff. It's a gel you put on the area that's cramping and hurting and it worked wonders for me. My pain was so bad I couldn't move and this stuff allowed me to at least get from place A to B. I've also had doctors recommend warm compresses (a damp washcloth warmed in the microwave will work). Hope today's a great day! Sandi in VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 I get muscle cramps sometimes too. I think it is low potassium.  I try to eat bananas and drink orange juice to keep my potassium up. It seems to help alot. Sent from my iPhone Hi. I'm so sorry to hear about Brad's pain. I hope he's getting some relief and the cramps have all vanished! I'm not sure if the cramps are linked to PSC or not, but low potassium is often a PSC symptom I believe. Do you know if his potassium level has been checked? That can sometimes cause cramping. If you have access to a home health store (one that sells equipment/items to hospitals and physical therapists, etc.) you may want to see if you can find something called Blue Stuff. It's a gel you put on the area that's cramping and hurting and it worked wonders for me. My pain was so bad I couldn't move and this stuff allowed me to at least get from place A to B. I've also had doctors recommend warm compresses (a damp washcloth warmed in the microwave will work). Hope today's a great day! Sandi in VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 I get muscle cramps sometimes too. I think it is low potassium.  I try to eat bananas and drink orange juice to keep my potassium up. It seems to help alot. Sent from my iPhone Hi. I'm so sorry to hear about Brad's pain. I hope he's getting some relief and the cramps have all vanished! I'm not sure if the cramps are linked to PSC or not, but low potassium is often a PSC symptom I believe. Do you know if his potassium level has been checked? That can sometimes cause cramping. If you have access to a home health store (one that sells equipment/items to hospitals and physical therapists, etc.) you may want to see if you can find something called Blue Stuff. It's a gel you put on the area that's cramping and hurting and it worked wonders for me. My pain was so bad I couldn't move and this stuff allowed me to at least get from place A to B. I've also had doctors recommend warm compresses (a damp washcloth warmed in the microwave will work). Hope today's a great day! Sandi in VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 I get muscle cramps sometimes too. I think it is low potassium.  I try to eat bananas and drink orange juice to keep my potassium up. It seems to help alot. Sent from my iPhone Hi. I'm so sorry to hear about Brad's pain. I hope he's getting some relief and the cramps have all vanished! I'm not sure if the cramps are linked to PSC or not, but low potassium is often a PSC symptom I believe. Do you know if his potassium level has been checked? That can sometimes cause cramping. If you have access to a home health store (one that sells equipment/items to hospitals and physical therapists, etc.) you may want to see if you can find something called Blue Stuff. It's a gel you put on the area that's cramping and hurting and it worked wonders for me. My pain was so bad I couldn't move and this stuff allowed me to at least get from place A to B. I've also had doctors recommend warm compresses (a damp washcloth warmed in the microwave will work). Hope today's a great day! Sandi in VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.