Jean in Newcastle Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 My leg leg is in a death grip cramp for over an hour. I've been drinking electrolytes. I've had cal-mag. Dh tried to stretch my leg but I was having shooting pains down my muscles that had me crying out in pain. I have a prescription muscle relaxant but when I've taken it before it didn't seem to work (results were mixed). I don't know what to do. The cramp is all the way from my thigh down to my calf (front and back). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilaclady Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbi in Texas Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I have heard drinking pickle juice helps. Also, drinking milk. Dh used to get them really bad when he was taking cyclosporine. Someone told him to sleep with a bar of soap in the bed. Crazy, but it did help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 epsom salts in a warm bath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 heat. use a hair dryer. hugs, cramp hurt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Have you tried potassium? I've licked salt substitute to get potassium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyThreeSons Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 OUCH!! That's a long time to have such a big cramp. I second the idea of a warm bath, if your dh can help you get into the tub. Epsom Salts would be a plus if you have them. If you can't get in and out of the tub, perhaps a hot shower would help, or hot compresses. Can your dh do some massage therapy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I was thinking epsom salt bath too. Does heat help? Do you have a microwaveable heating pad (filled with rice or millet or something like that)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted June 7, 2013 Author Share Posted June 7, 2013 Twigs - I already take prescription strength potassium. I'm filling up the bath right now. I get epsom salts in bulk so I've got plenty of that on hand. Ds has gotten out my cane and helped do some of my good-night chores so that I didn't have to go up and down stairs. If I'm still bad after the bath, I'll take my Robaxin. It makes me woozy and I can't walk straight but at least it might help me to get a good night's sleep. I'm sorry I'm such a whiner. Oh, and do you know what is ironic? This was triggered by my chiropractor who was impressed at how good my muscles were today? It really isn't his fault - all he did was to straighten out my leg but it is one of those things that can happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reflections Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I've heard that walking barefoot on a cold hard floor helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted June 7, 2013 Author Share Posted June 7, 2013 Epsom salt bath is done. It felt good but my leg is still cramped up. Taking my Robaxin now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Hope you get some relief soon. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose in BC Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Sorry you're in such pain. Hope you have a restful sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpidarkomama Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 My DH keeps a heating pad by the bed for his severe cramps. Works every time. He also wears socks to bed. So sorry! I know how dreadfully painful they can be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I hope the medication helps it to let up so you can sleep. Muscle cramps hurt a lot. My dh had one in his foot that went on for hours a few months ago, I had never seen a cramp last so long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 you poor thing. Cramps are awful. :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butterflymommy Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I had this happen when I was pregnant. Unfortunately nothing helped but time. I couldn't drive for two weeks (it as my right leg). {{hugs}} Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Quinine helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 How are you this morning, Jean? ((Hugs)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 tonic water has quinine, it is supposed to help, my grandmother swore by it. :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanitaL Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I have heard drinking pickle juice helps. Also, drinking milk. Dh used to get them really bad when he was taking cyclosporine. Someone told him to sleep with a bar of soap in the bed. Crazy, but it did help. I also read about the pickle juice in an exercise book I just read. (And OT, but I find that just reading the exercise books without actually following through and doing the exercises will help prevent leg cramps, that way you don't actually have to drink a jar of pickle juice.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 tonic water has quinine, it is supposed to help, my grandmother swore by it. :grouphug: :grouphug: I know quinine works but didn't know it was in tonic water! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Hoping you are feeling better today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Jean, I worried about all night long. How are you today? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted June 7, 2013 Author Share Posted June 7, 2013 Jean, I worried about all night long. How are you today? Thank you. I am fine. The worst of the cramp is gone. My muscles are such that they are never totally cramp free but it is back to "normal" levels. I will be on a water/electrolyte drinking binge today. It has actually hit summer weather here and my body isn't used to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane Elliot Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I was worried, too. It sounded like how my leg felt when I had a DVT (blood clot). I came here looking to see if you were posting today. I'm so glad you're doing better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted June 7, 2013 Author Share Posted June 7, 2013 I was worried, too. It sounded like how my leg felt when I had a DVT (blood clot). I came here looking to see if you were posting today. I'm so glad you're doing better. Thanks, Luann. I know it isn't a blood clot. I'm always one step away from muscle cramps so in one sense the problem is a usual one for me. But the intensity of it was way more than usual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reflections Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Thanks, Luann. I know it isn't a blood clot. I'm always one step away from muscle cramps so in one sense the problem is a usual one for me. But the intensity of it was way more than usual. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted June 7, 2013 Author Share Posted June 7, 2013 Someone reminded me that I may be low on salt. I tend to be low (adrenal problems) and it has been hot so that is a real possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in Appalachia Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Quinine helps. My mom uses this. She gets tonic water and mixes it with some juice. It helped her, but it's more of a long term help. I don't know if it will make the current cramp go away. :grouphug: I hope the meds do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.