muscle cramps

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OLDMAN5050

OLDMAN5050

Passed Away May 15, 2019
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OK I ask hoping that someone has HAD this problem and has found a cure. I mowed the yard last Friday and have had horrible muscle cramps since. I have had a problem before but not to this extent. I can not go a night without being woke up several times and get up and work out the cramp. be the legs or my back or feet. I have been to Dr. before and had all sorts of test done all chec ok. Potaqssium, levels ect. no help yet. One dr. has given me muscle relaxers and now I have to take 2 of them to get any releif but only temporary . I find myself not wanting to do any shop time for fear of a cramp in my hands while turning.... can anyone HELP?
 
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My Wife gets leg cramps and, like you, has been through all the blood tests to see if she was low on something. What really helps her when she has the cramps is quinine. Ask your doctor to prescribe you some.

Scott.
 
I have heard that if you get dehydrated this can cause muscle cramps. Either way, it doesn't hurt to ensure you are well hydrated in this summer heat.
 
I heard bananas are good for cramps. Has the potassium in it. But I'm not a DR so take it with a grain of salt, I mean, don't take it with salt....you know what I mean. Hope you feel better!
 
I used to get them a lot - an old country fellow told me to drink some vinegar and they would stop - been doing that the minute it starts for many years now and it works for me. Not the greatest taste but beter than feeling the cramps.
 
I used to get them when I started turning. Tried every concoction known, nada. You're not stretching all of your muscles and probably dehydrated. Now I do stretching exercises before, during and after I spend a day standing in the shop in front of a lathe. No more leg cramps. If you haven't exercised in a while take it easy at first.

Remember those exercises you did in school? Try it, it doesn't take much. I'm not saying you need to "feel the burn", just limber up a little :biggrin: I'm past the half century mark and it works for me.
 
U-Turn said:
I used to get them a lot - an old country fellow told me to drink some vinegar and they would stop - been doing that the minute it starts for many years now and it works for me. Not the greatest taste but beter than feeling the cramps.
Click to expand...


Had leg cramps about 25 years ago. Told the flight doctor about them during my yearly flight phys. She told me to get some organic apple cider vinegar and take a tablespoon morning and night. No more leg cramps. Google "apple cider vinegar". The stuff has been around for a long time LOML started having cramps, she now takes vinegar, no more cramps.:biggrin:

Also we both drink as least a gallon of water a day.
 
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First have you talked with your Doctor about the cramps? Any other problems with you feet? Numbness cold to the touch or pale? If so call sooner rather than putting it off. Sounds to me like you are chronically dehydrated, the thirst drive diminishes as we age. This has lead to electrolyte imbalance, bananas, gatorade, a good diet with greens, and nutritional supplements will all help. Staying hydrated will help even more. Do call your Doc though as cramping, especially with exertion, can be caused by Deep vein thrombosis, a fairly comon blockage of the viens in the extremities especially the legs. Deep vein thrombosis is more comon in folks with heart issues and/or fatty diets.
 
ohiococonut said:
I used to get them when I started turning. Tried every concoction known, nada. You're not stretching all of your muscles and probably dehydrated. Now I do stretching exercises before, during and after I spend a day standing in the shop in front of a lathe. No more leg cramps. If you haven't exercised in a while take it easy at first.

Remember those exercises you did in school? Try it, it doesn't take much. I'm not saying you need to "feel the burn", just limber up a little :biggrin: I'm past the half century mark and it works for me.
Click to expand...

Probably the leading cause of injury and reason for prescription of pain killers in the world! Good body prep before exercise is essential especially as we get older.

I am fond of saying the wheel was invented by a very tiered man well into his 50's. Before that age men just bull dog through problems instead of doing things the smart way.
 
I would first see a Dr. ..even again. In the meantime bananas a couple of three times a week. I have cramps also. Lessened by the Potassium. Intermittent exercise is also a culprit. But the Dr. visit should be on the table. One never knows. I'm an expert in 'one never knows'.

Russ
 
Scott said:
My Wife gets leg cramps and, like you, has been through all the blood tests to see if she was low on something. What really helps her when she has the cramps is quinine. Ask your doctor to prescribe you some.

Scott.
Click to expand...

+1 for quinine. got some Hylands Leg cramp tablets with quinine from wal-mart. also added a banana every night. helps me.
 
Water

Drink water....cramps can be caused by a lot of things but the easiest "cure" to try is increasing your water intake. Next, Banana's do help if you are low on potassium.
 
vinegar, dill pickle juice, or a teaspoon of yellow mustard, will stop those cramps in less than 5 min. But, being hydrated is key also. But, I've been known to limp to the 'fridge for a shot of mustard in the middle of the night....
 
My wife has a lot of problems with leg cramps... she gets them in her upper thighs. She has a lot of bad varicose veins which the doctors causes her cramps.. she takes a cramp pill that has quinine in them... gives her some temporary relief.
 
Switzle

We used a drink called switzle during hay making season that was good for making sure you didn't get dehydrated. 2 quarts of water, 1 tablespoon of Ginger, 1 cup of sugar and 6 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Stir well add ice if desired. Doesn't taste bad and it does get you the vinegar.
 
The only thing that works for me is high complex B vitamins at bedtime. I get the B100s.

Cramps from overwork are different from those caused by dehydration. Potassium and lots of fluids will help with those.

When I have been on my feet for long periods, I get cramps in my feet and legs. I take the B100 just before bedtime and sleep cramp free.

It is a cheap fix, and can't hurt you. My Father's doctor told him to take them for cramps and it worked for him, so I gave it a try and it works for me.
 
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You mentioned that you have had them before. You might consider asking your MD about fibromyalgia, It is arthritis of the muscles and does cause cramps. Dehydration and low electrolytes can also cause cramping. Hope that you can get a handle on it.
 
David,

I would say to you two things, 1. drink more of all the stuff the others have suggested 2. Get someone else to mow the yard like your wife (ha,ha). Don't suggest option 2, but if you do I have an empty room here for you to stay for a while. Maybe as a last option get Keith to do the yard. Good luck.

Gary
 
I rub Eucalyptus Oil on cramps and find that they go after a few minutes. I would think that dehydration may have to do a lot with it. When I mow my lawns it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to do, I don't bother stopping until I'm finished and then suffer for it later.
I don't know if you can get the Eucalyptus Oil over there, hope you get rid of them though.
Joe...
 
I think Quinine is used as an anti-malaria drug - at least, that's what I remember from old movies about break-outs from prisoner of war camps...Von Ryan's Express, perhaps?

Edit: I did some googling. The FDA cautions against the practice of terating leg cramps with quinine, and reminds doctors that its in ONLY used for treatment of uncomplicated malaria
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety...ormationforPatientsandProviders/ucm218202.htm
 
Real old movies

maxwell_smart007 said:
I think Quinine is used as an anti-malaria drug - at least, that's what I remember from old movies about break-outs from prisoner of war camps...Von Ryan's Express, perhaps?

Edit: I did some googling. The FDA cautions against the practice of terating leg cramps with quinine, and reminds doctors that its in ONLY used for treatment of uncomplicated malaria
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety...ormationforPatientsandProviders/ucm218202.htm
Click to expand...

Those were real old movies....although quinine is still approved for malaria treatment there are other drugs more commanly used.

You are correct that quinine may not be prescribed for leg cramps going back to 1995 in the USA and many over-the-counter products containing quinine were forced off the shelf.

There are some products though that are allowed to have small amounts of quinine in them that are still available. Including Tonic water which
is sold over the counter and is considered safe (FDA limit is about 80 or so ppm quinine in tonic water. I think vermouth also contains quinine. So a manhatten or a gin and tonic at bed time? Who knows if they'll prevent leg cramps but enough of them and you won't care.

There are "leg cramp" remedies sold OTC that contain very small amounts of quinine. I have not idea whether or not they work.
 
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I drink apple cider vinegar for my Gout, but LOML always tells me to go eat a banana when I start to feel like leg cramps are coming on.
 
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