Polly*****have a med question
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annie oakley
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Polly*****have a med question
For the last 4-5 nights I have had what I call Charlie horses in both legs but mostly in the leg with the New Knee, And it 's like I need to get out of bed RIGHT NOW and stand on which emediatly relieves it. When I was a kid, mu mother said it meant I needed to take more Calcium. I take pleanty of calcium so what's up? Is just that my body is adjusting to the new Knew and coming back to life or what. If you know anything I'd appreciate it. I am not keeping my last appointment with the Dr because I can afford the C0-pay this time. Love Oma
May I be more compassionate and loving than yeterday*and be able to spot the idiots in advance
Oma,
I'm not Polly or a Doc, but when I get leg cramps it means that I'm either dehydrated or I need calcium, or both.
If I were you, I'd try drinking more water and if that doesn't help, get out in the sunshine for about 15 min./day without sunscreen (that will produce vit D and help absorb the calcium).
Hope that helps, Love, Jean
I'm not Polly or a Doc, but when I get leg cramps it means that I'm either dehydrated or I need calcium, or both.
If I were you, I'd try drinking more water and if that doesn't help, get out in the sunshine for about 15 min./day without sunscreen (that will produce vit D and help absorb the calcium).
Hope that helps, Love, Jean
Be kind to everyone, because you never know what battles they are fighting.
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annie oakley
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Liz
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Robert is getting lots of cramps lately, day & night. His Doc does not want to give him quinine because it depletes the bone marrow or something. He drinks plenty of water & we use calcium enriched milk as well as having broccoli & sardines & the like regularly. If you find an answer I would be happy to know. I get them too, especially in my feet & legs & also around the ribcage area, on occasion but my doctor told me to stretch gently before I go to bed & I think that helps some.
Love
Liz
Love
Liz
A smile is a light in the window of your face that shows that your heart is at home
Hi Oma,
I have on occasion had problems with leg and/or foot cramps, also, and it usually seems to coincide with times when I have a potassium deficiency. Since my surgery, I can eat bananas again, (source of potassium), and ever since I have been eating 2 or 3 bananas a day, I have had absolutely no problem with cramps of any kind.
In addition to what has already been mentioned by others, a magnesium deficiency is another possibility, and so is a deficiency of vitamin C.
If no cause for the cramps can be found, massive doses of vitamin E can be used to treat/prevent leg cramps according to this article. Since it had been around for over 30 years, though, I would question why doctors don't seem to promote this treatment, if it so effective. That may be because it is one of those treatments where the body soon becomes immune to it, and requires ever increasing doses to get the desiered result. This effect is called tachyphylaxis.
http://www.orthomed.com/vite.htm
Love,
Wayne
I have on occasion had problems with leg and/or foot cramps, also, and it usually seems to coincide with times when I have a potassium deficiency. Since my surgery, I can eat bananas again, (source of potassium), and ever since I have been eating 2 or 3 bananas a day, I have had absolutely no problem with cramps of any kind.
In addition to what has already been mentioned by others, a magnesium deficiency is another possibility, and so is a deficiency of vitamin C.
If no cause for the cramps can be found, massive doses of vitamin E can be used to treat/prevent leg cramps according to this article. Since it had been around for over 30 years, though, I would question why doctors don't seem to promote this treatment, if it so effective. That may be because it is one of those treatments where the body soon becomes immune to it, and requires ever increasing doses to get the desiered result. This effect is called tachyphylaxis.
http://www.orthomed.com/vite.htm
Love,
Wayne
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Oma,
You don't really need me - you already got some great advice. I agree with what's been said.
My first bet would be what you guessed - just your body adjusting to the new knee. I suspect that your leg muscles have been underused for a while now and have probably atrophied a little (have lost muscle mass from less exercise). And now that you are becoming more active again, it puts a strain on them to build up, to add muscle mass. This can cause painful charlie horses that should stop once your muscles are back to normal size. The other thought is a medication reaction - are you taking anything just now?
Gentle exercising, including stretching, during the day should help.
Love,
Polly
You don't really need me - you already got some great advice. I agree with what's been said.
My first bet would be what you guessed - just your body adjusting to the new knee. I suspect that your leg muscles have been underused for a while now and have probably atrophied a little (have lost muscle mass from less exercise). And now that you are becoming more active again, it puts a strain on them to build up, to add muscle mass. This can cause painful charlie horses that should stop once your muscles are back to normal size. The other thought is a medication reaction - are you taking anything just now?
Gentle exercising, including stretching, during the day should help.
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
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annie oakley
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- Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 5:56 pm
The only meds I was taking was the Asacol which I dropped as I cannot afford them for awhile. And My norpace for my heart. Plus all the vitamins......C,Calcium,Zinc, and my arthritis med feldene ( am told is a cousin of Mobic) But shirley and Tex had something, I haven't been taking Magneseum or potassium lately so I may give that a try. The Chrlie Horses are so wierd.....you can't get out of the bed fast enough. Poor Buckmaster, he got flung off the bed the other mornimg...he wasn't hurt thank goodness. Thanks everyone Love Oma
May I be more compassionate and loving than yeterday*and be able to spot the idiots in advance
Hi Oma!
It definitely won't hurt to eat more of the foods containing potassium and magnesium! You can google the info if not sure.
I get those charlie horses in my calf muscles whenever I increase my running distances. They really HURT and take your breath away. I have also jumped out of bed like you describe. Not fun in the middle of the night. Hope you get some relief soon.
Love,
Polly
It definitely won't hurt to eat more of the foods containing potassium and magnesium! You can google the info if not sure.
I get those charlie horses in my calf muscles whenever I increase my running distances. They really HURT and take your breath away. I have also jumped out of bed like you describe. Not fun in the middle of the night. Hope you get some relief soon.
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Hi Oma,
Make sure you are taking enough magnesium. Research shows that the majority of Americans are greatly lacking in magnesium which is responsible for something like 300 activities in the body. It also indicates that an equal amount of magnesium and calcium is needed, at least for women.
Be well!
Celia
Make sure you are taking enough magnesium. Research shows that the majority of Americans are greatly lacking in magnesium which is responsible for something like 300 activities in the body. It also indicates that an equal amount of magnesium and calcium is needed, at least for women.
Be well!
Celia
I beleive in magic!
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Momster
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- Location: Abbotsford, B.C. Canada
Hi Oma
Since I've been there, done that - I know what you're going through.
I experienced severe leg cramps when I got my knee replacement last years and it started on day one after the surgery. I could barely put my heel down because my calf muscle was to cramped up and tight. It continued for a long time and still does on occasion, even though it's been 13 months since the knee replacement.
Exercise is the key. Keep the muscle supple and do your exercises faithfully and it won't happen as often. It's not a fun thing to go through, having a knee replacement, but well worth it in the long run. My leg is so much more stable and less painful since I got it done.
I'm still waiting on getting the other one done, which will be next year, so I get a break this year.
The other advice you got is also very good and will help with the leg cramps, but it's definitely from the knee replacement and very common to have that problem.
It will get better with time and perseverance with your exercises. If you need help with what exercises help best, ask your physiotherapist.
Have a wonderful day.
Love - Momster
I experienced severe leg cramps when I got my knee replacement last years and it started on day one after the surgery. I could barely put my heel down because my calf muscle was to cramped up and tight. It continued for a long time and still does on occasion, even though it's been 13 months since the knee replacement.Exercise is the key. Keep the muscle supple and do your exercises faithfully and it won't happen as often. It's not a fun thing to go through, having a knee replacement, but well worth it in the long run. My leg is so much more stable and less painful since I got it done.
I'm still waiting on getting the other one done, which will be next year, so I get a break this year.
The other advice you got is also very good and will help with the leg cramps, but it's definitely from the knee replacement and very common to have that problem.
It will get better with time and perseverance with your exercises. If you need help with what exercises help best, ask your physiotherapist.
Have a wonderful day.
Love - Momster
Do something nice for you today
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annie oakley
- King Penguin
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- Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 5:56 pm
Hey Momster.....I'm Like you...I don't have that nasty pain in that leg where I had the Knee replacement. Like you it will be next year before I can get it done.....I lost my health insurance when I lost my job. I'm having a bit of a financial wham bam right now, But I am going to add some magneseum,and potassium as soon as I get to working. Right now everything is going to what it can.
Where have you been hiding Momster? I am so glad to see you back on the board again. Love Oma
Where have you been hiding Momster? I am so glad to see you back on the board again. Love Oma
May I be more compassionate and loving than yeterday*and be able to spot the idiots in advance