muscle cramps

[Guest guest]

It has been my experience that muscular spasms are a major

component of Reactive Arthritis (formerly Reiters Syndrome). This

is due to the typical point of inflammation being the tendons at

the point they insert into the muscle and the joint. This

inflammation leads to muscular spasms.

I currently take the generic form of Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine), a

muscle relaxer. I take 20 mg in the morning and afternoon, and 30

mg in the evening prior to going to bed. If I do not take the

Flexeril, I have muscular spasms most pointedly in my lower back,

thighs, calves, and hands, which pain relievers do not help.

Prior to taking the Flexeril the muscular spasms in my back would

literally throw me out of the bed, or at least make it very

alarming for my wife.

My hands often develop a life of their own with uncontrolled

spasms. Several times my hands have been the dinner table

entertainment, flopping around on the table. I am often unaware of

the spasms in my hands. But if I try to hold my wife's hand as we

go to sleep, she has to let go because my hand is in constant

spasms, even with the Flexeril.

The spasms are more prominent if I try to relax or go to sleep.

Many on the list take muscle relaxers. There are significant side

effects to some, like not being able to stay awake. I did have an

adjustment period to the Flexeril, but it was quick, less than a

week of any significant side effects.

It would be worth talking to your doctor about the situation.

Ray, moderator

[Guest guest]

I guess that muscle cramps affect those of us with A.S. as well.

When I wrote my first novel I kept doing regular home tasks like

ironing, scrubbing, etc, anyway, repeated motions. The amount of writing

led to tendonitis in my right elbow and then to the whole arm, shoulder

and back of the neck, with cramps and spasms.

Besides muscle relaxants there´s exercise and massage and of course, hot

tub.

Jacinta, A.S, 41, Portugal

[Guest guest]

Ray, would this be the same thing as cramps in the back of the calves? I get

those so bad they prevent me from sleeping, they usually only come at night.

I try stretching them, laying on the vibrating heat mat, hot baths, nothing

helps. Diane.

[Guest guest]

Randy,

I should have said that better,. After having gone through that entire

procedure, open heart surgery, to gain a few more years of life, I would

have felt really foolish to continue smoking and thumb my nose at the doctors

helping me. Here's an analogy: it would be like having the linoleum floor in

your kitchen torn up and replaced with real expensive linoleum, and then walk

all over it wearing golf spikes. Anyway, I just would have felt real foolish.

Yours, Harv

[Guest guest]

Are you warming up and stretching? Maybe walk for 5 minutes, get off and

stretch for another 5 minutes, then get back on and start your workout. Or

maybe try another machine if you're at a gym. I don't belong to a gym, but

it's gotten warmer out recently and I've started walking and jogging

outside. My legs feel a little different because i have a lot of hills in

my neighborhood.

Hope you figure out what's going on!

muscle cramps

> For the last few months my legs cramp up on the treadmill. My left

> hamstrings are always tight, 24-7, since I injured my hip last year.

> 2-3 minutes into the workout the right foot from the little toe to

> the heal cramps. Then at around 4-5 minutes a few more muscles cramp.

> it is never the same ones somtimes a calf, sometimes a quad,

> sometimes a combo. After 5 minutes I am in horrible pain. My high

> point is 5mph & has been for months. I use to be able to get to 6mph.

> It is soo annoying!! Any Advice??

>

> Dani

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I stretch before & after each workout. I have a treadmill at home. I

have been walking out side too but have the same problem. When

walking outside it is not as bad because I'm keeping the same pace. I

have also tried not doing the lower body workout, Thinking that might

have an affect, but it didn't change anything. After I posted this

morning I thought about what you suggested. Walk 5 minutes, stretch,

walk minutes, stretch. I have asked the chiropractor about this, he

said 'your body is going though many changes, it is going to hurt,

keep working,eventually it will stop hurting.' I have bought shoes,

changed incline, yet no change. Somedays I can finish the 20 minutes

but somedays I have to stop at 5 minutes. I get so mad that I just

stop. I need to stay on the treadmill, go to a lower speed & keep

going.

Dani

> Are you warming up and stretching? Maybe walk for 5 minutes, get

off and

> stretch for another 5 minutes, then get back on and start your

workout. Or

> maybe try another machine if you're at a gym. I don't belong to a

gym, but

> it's gotten warmer out recently and I've started walking and jogging

> outside. My legs feel a little different because i have a lot of

hills in

> my neighborhood.

>

> Hope you figure out what's going on!

>

>

> muscle cramps

>

>

> > For the last few months my legs cramp up on the treadmill. My left

> > hamstrings are always tight, 24-7, since I injured my hip last

year.

> > 2-3 minutes into the workout the right foot from the little toe to

> > the heal cramps. Then at around 4-5 minutes a few more muscles

cramp.

> > it is never the same ones somtimes a calf, sometimes a quad,

> > sometimes a combo. After 5 minutes I am in horrible pain. My high

> > point is 5mph & has been for months. I use to be able to get to

6mph.

> > It is soo annoying!! Any Advice??

> >

> > Dani

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

> For the last few months my legs cramp up on the treadmill. My left

> hamstrings are always tight, 24-7, since I injured my hip last year.

> 2-3 minutes into the workout the right foot from the little toe to

> the heal cramps. Then at around 4-5 minutes a few more muscles cramp.

> it is never the same ones somtimes a calf, sometimes a quad,

> sometimes a combo. After 5 minutes I am in horrible pain. My high

> point is 5mph & has been for months. I use to be able to get to 6mph.

> It is soo annoying!! Any Advice??

>

> Dani

I don't really have any idea what could cause this, but if you get low

on potassium it can lead to muscle cramps. Try taking a supplement

for a while and see if it helps.

[Guest guest]

Salt/electrolyte depletion caused by excess water can sometimes cause cramping

as well. But, so can under hydrating.

MN

C1 W2 D1

[Guest guest]

Last week I was so upset with my legs that I hardly worked out at

all. My legs use to not cramp & I use to run twice as fast.

This week I am just going to take it easy and concentrate more on

stretching than on working out.

This morning I alternated 5 minutes of total body stretching with 5

minutes of 2 mph on the treadmill. I was on the tredmill for a total

of 20 miutes.

On Friday I bought a foot massager. It is one of those that looks

like 2 slippers hook together & it vibrates. I have been using while

sitting at the computer & watching tv. My feet & calves already feel

better.

Today I'm going to the chiropractor & get a massage. I'm also going

to watch my Potassium intake for the next few days. I will also drink

more water. If you can think of anything else let me know

Dani

[Guest guest]

Dani,

That sounds really frustrating! One thing that helped me with muscle

spasms was having a personal trainer at the gym stretch me REALLY

GOOD. Not sure if that is realistic for you -- I think you workout at

home? Anyway, it's a long shot, but I thought I would mention it just

in case.

I think having the trainer stretch me worked better than stretching

on my own because he did it on a table, and also could stretch/hold

my legs in positions I couldn't do myself. He's done it a few times

for me [once when I kind of pulled some muscles in my back, so

Stasia, this might work for you too?] Here are a few web site that

talk about muscle cramps and how to heal them.

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?

Thread_ID=270 & topcategory=Sports

http://www.betterbodz.com/library/muscle_cramps.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003193.htm

Hope you are back to 100% soon!

F

> Last week I was so upset with my legs that I hardly worked out at

> all. My legs use to not cramp & I use to run twice as fast.

>

> This week I am just going to take it easy and concentrate more on

> stretching than on working out.

>

> This morning I alternated 5 minutes of total body stretching with 5

> minutes of 2 mph on the treadmill. I was on the tredmill for a

total

> of 20 miutes.

>

> On Friday I bought a foot massager. It is one of those that looks

> like 2 slippers hook together & it vibrates. I have been using

while

> sitting at the computer & watching tv. My feet & calves already

feel

> better.

>

> Today I'm going to the chiropractor & get a massage. I'm also going

> to watch my Potassium intake for the next few days. I will also

drink

> more water. If you can think of anything else let me know

>

> Dani

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/3/2006 10:17:09 PM Eastern Standard Time,

pfourier@... writes:

My BTO relatives have had their share of annoying nocturnal leg cramps,

including myself. Does anyone know what is the root cause?

How are your potassium levels?

[Guest guest]

Ivory soap? I would suggest extra calcium.

dalmudlee <pfourier@...> wrote:

Happy New Year!

My BTO relatives have had their share of annoying nocturnal leg cramps,

including myself. Does anyone know what is the root cause? Recently

I've been told to use marjoram oil for this muscle problem along with

placing a bar of Ivory soap at the foot of the bed. Any comments or

suggestions?

Lee

[Guest guest]

I have heard of those things also but I usually find it is a deficiency of

magnesium.

Have you tried it?

Kathy

dalmudlee <pfourier@...> wrote:

Happy New Year!

My BTO relatives have had their share of annoying nocturnal leg cramps,

including myself. Does anyone know what is the root cause? Recently

I've been told to use marjoram oil for this muscle problem along with

placing a bar of Ivory soap at the foot of the bed. Any comments or

suggestions?

Lee

[Guest guest]

Hi

I get those cramps quite regularly and they are nasty. I have to somehow get

out of bed, if they happen there, and stamp and walk out the cramps. They start

in the feet then rythmicly go up and down the muscles in the whole leg. It

seems I do not have to do anything to cause them, they just happen and the pain

is way off the chart. The feelings of those cramps stays in the muscles for

more than a few days.

Last night I felt one coming on so got out of bed and walked around to prevent

it getting to full force. It worked this time. Even had it happen to me while

sitting on the toilet. I ended up on the floor with both legs in those rythmic

cramps.

They figure that some of the bony growth and spurs from the AS in my fused SI

Joints press on the nerves and get it started. Have also had an attack of

numbness going down my legs from the waist level, very weird feeling. Thought I

would loose feeling in my legs. I didn't, but now am very careful how I sit

anywhere and what position I sleep in.

I am just happy that they have found the right combination of meds to greatly

reduce the pain. Interesting is that they decided on Voltaren which is really

an old medication in the NSAID Library.

Blessings and safe travel.

Fr. Dave

[Guest guest]

, the shot to your eye area was most likely a steroid shot. When you

stop the Pred Drops too soon, your uveitis has a chance to produce more

inflammatory cells. It seems your eye doctor is doing the correct thing. I've

had

quite a few steroid shots to the eye area. If the cells get into the vitreous

area, that area is like a jell substance and it takes longer for the steroid

med to work. The iris area is more liquid. With my chronic uveitis, I've had

to put the eye drops in every hour for a bad flare-up. You must taper the

drops very carefully as if you go off the meds too soon, the cells will multiply

rapidly. Is your doctor giving you the dilating drops, too? Did he mention the

stage your uveitis is? A 3-4 is considered high. How often are you using

the Pred drops? How is your ocular pressure doing? Sorry to hear you are having

so much trouble. It is such a " pain in the eye), isn't it? There is a jell

ointment for night time use. You might ask for that, instead of setting the

alarm clock during sleep time. Just some thoughts.

About the muscle cramps, it is very common among us. I have the same problem

as you do. If we over tax the muscles at one session, your muscles can go

into spasms. If I walk too much, like walking on hard surfaces (like Mall

shopping) the next few nights I get those terrible muscle cramps like you

mentioned. There is really nothing you can do right away for these cramps...as

you

said, they last only for a few seconds or minutes. I take flexeril for these

type of spasms. I get them in my scapula which can last for a few days. That's

when I take the flexeril and it helps greatly. Skelaxin (sp?), Soma work the

same way. I just find Flexeril works better for me. You might ask your doctor

about getting Rx. If ever you get those spasms in your neck...it helps, too.

I wouldn't take it on a long term basis.

My warmest regardds to you, too. Connie (granny)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/3/2006 1:41:42 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

dewi@... writes:

Last night I felt one coming on so got out of bed and walked around to

prevent it getting to full force. It worked this time.

Right Dave. I forgot to mention walking in my last post to Dave. Like you, I

feel them coming on...sometimes just sitting. I guess that sciatic nerve is

on the verge most of the time for both of us. My husband usually comes to the

rescue and rubs the butt area where that nerve comes from the spine and down

to the leg, and that helps, too. Glad the neurontin (or what ever you are

taking) is working for you. I was on Neurontin for a week or so...and I just

couldn't handle it. My speech was slurring and felt my brain was altered and

dizzy all the time.It really did help the nerve pain though. Couldn't think

straight, which happens to me even without the added drug! :-( Old timers

disease. Funny how meds can effect us individually.

Glad you are feeling better. Best regards, Connie (granny)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/3/2006 4:06:02 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

sillyhil@... writes:

My sister in law's grandmother told me about it. I guess all the folks

where she lives use this " old wives tale " method for their cramps and it works.

Sounds like my grandmother, bless her heart. She swore that it was a cup of

tea that caused all my pregnancies. " tee " hee.

[Guest guest]

Hi guys...

I know that this will sound weird....I sleep with a bar of soap (hotel size)

under my fitted sheet on my bed... I never take it out. I was having really bad

cramp in my calves and feet at night. I have not had one since I have had the

soap in my bed. Not sure why it works but it has for me. My sister in law's

grandmother told me about it. I guess all the folks where she lives use this

" old wives tale " method for their cramps and it works.

AS

BJ/Dewi <dewi@...> wrote:

[Guest guest]

Thanks Connie

While I managed to catch a cramp coming on, this morning was different, it got

me out of bed. Some days you can't win. But the cramp was short lived.

I do have some nerve impingement on my left sciatic nerve so they are watching

it quite closely. I just pray it does not become a surgical emergency.

Yep, I am feeling better, but feeling so, I tend to overdo whatever I am doing

and pay the price a day or so later. I have to learn to pace myself a bit

better. But I am glad I did cut all the grass earlier this week as the heat has

been high until at least 9 PM at night. Then there is only an hour or so of

daylight left. That is one of the joys of living this far north and west, the

days get very long in springtime with the sun setting after 9:30 at night. This

gives us a measure of daylight stretching to almost 11:00 PM. Bad for raising

children if you move here with them from the East.

Blessings to all

Fr. Dave

PS finally understand what they mean by the " Golden Years " of life after 65.

The folks that look after you and supply your needs, get all the gold.

[Guest guest]

wrote:

Hi guys...

I know that this will sound weird....I sleep with a bar of soap (hotel size)

under my fitted sheet on my bed...

hmmmmmmm.............................not one I have heard about. But that is not

strange as I never really new my grandmothers on either side of the family.

However, being a grandfather 9 times over I will have to add that to my list of

home remedies. Seems grandchildren ask about these. They even ask if there

were dinosaur's around when I was a kid.....I tell them no, but there were a lot

of dragons, witches and warlocks around along with pirates.

Fr. Dave

[Guest guest]

I have been having them often now. Just have to be soooo careful about

stretching when i first wake up especially.

Also I suddenly developed a problem with it felt like my SI joint.. like

the whole area was going into spasm when I turned a certain way. I had to

walk with little mincing steps for a couple of days. It seems to have

cleared p a little but I can feel flashes ot pain in there someway yet.

Liz Kilpatrick

On the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River, Davenport,IA/Quad cities

~~~~~~

" People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but

people will never forget how you made them feel. " ~~~~~~~ Maya Angelou

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EMAIL: juliette@...

PERSONAL HOMEPAGE PAGE http://members.tripod.com/~LizK

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Guest guest]

the ratio of calcium to magnesium that the body needs is 2/1. thats twice the

calcium as the magnesium.If I dont supplement the magnesium I dont get enough

and at night if I stretch my legs I get cramps.If you supplement calcium at

1000mgs a day ,you should be taking 500mgs of Magnesium .If you get too much

magnesium you will get loose stools. raise the ammount of magnesium

gradually.Sometimes potasium deficiency is the cause if the cramping as well.

IN NC

Sally <sally.hoffman@...> wrote:

Hi all

The weather has turned alot colder here. As soon as the cold hits my

feet or legs i get muscle cramps. The bedsocks have now made an

appearance.

I've started taking the cayenne which should be helping my circulation

but I wondered if this is a magnesium deficiency or is it just due to

thyroid problems. I get this problem every year and just walking into

the cold garage wearing socks and slippers my feet and calves start to

cramp. I take magnesium in my multi but no extra as i'm worried about

mineral imbalance. I do eat lots of nuts and seeds which supply

magnesium

Any thoughts anyone.

Sally

[Guest guest]

Hi

I've got high tissue calcium so have been told to not supplement

calcium although i do in my multi.

I'm getting another hair mineral test done in January so will see

how things are then. I did have a decrease in potassium on the last

one but they said that could be a result of the elimination process

because calcium and copper exhibit antagonistic effects upon

potassium retention and if these were being mobilized in the tissues

for removal it can contribute to a temporary potassium deficiency.

So they took it as a potentially good sign.

That was quite awhile ago and i stopped taking their supplements

because they were mega expensive after taking them for 6 months, so

i don't know what's going on but i'm frightened about imbalance

that's why i only take vits/mins in multi, formulas etc. I think i

might take some extra magnesium to see how i feel. I used to take

epsom salt baths and still have half a bag in the garage so that

might be a better way, although some people don't agree it is

absorbed through the skin. There was a product on the magnesium

forum i looked at awhile back to get levels up quickly but reluctant

to do anything extreme until i've had some results.

Sally

[Guest guest]

Leg cramping can also be due to oxalate build up on muscles. I got

rid of most all leg cramping by going on a low oxalate diet and by

taking Calcium Citrate before each meal.

Alobar

On 12/4/06, Sally <sally.hoffman@...> wrote:

> Hi all

>

> The weather has turned alot colder here. As soon as the cold hits my

> feet or legs i get muscle cramps. The bedsocks have now made an

> appearance.

> I've started taking the cayenne which should be helping my circulation

> but I wondered if this is a magnesium deficiency or is it just due to

> thyroid problems. I get this problem every year and just walking into

> the cold garage wearing socks and slippers my feet and calves start to

> cramp. I take magnesium in my multi but no extra as i'm worried about

> mineral imbalance. I do eat lots of nuts and seeds which supply

> magnesium

> Any thoughts anyone.

> Sally

[Guest guest]

dont know if it is relavent in your situation,

but when I was praegnant I would get a charlie horse in the morning when I

stretched if I forgot to take my cod liver oil for a couple days in a row.

(sometimes I just would get sick of taking supplements and let it slide)

As soon as I got on it faithfully again and would keep the clo going down my

throat the charlie horses would cease

just my experience

warmly,,,,jill