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Posted By
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June 2, 2008, 11:13 am
Flag as Inappropriate sicnarf
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Subject
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Calf cramps
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Hi everyone,
I really hope someone can help me with this. The other night, I had a MAJOR calf cramp. These don't happen too often, but when they do, I usually scare the heck out of my wife because I'm screaming in pain.
So the question that will probably arise is what have I been doing. For the past 6 weeks I've been walking on my treadmill. I started off slowly doing 30 minutes at 2.5-2.7 MPH. I've worked my way up to 60 minutes at 3 MPH. Other than that, no other form of exercise. I make sure I stretch before and after I'm done walking and stretch my calves throughout the day.
Is there anything that I can do to prevent these horrible things from happening. I've had them off and on ever since I was in jr. high. I am currently 49.
Thanks
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Comments
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June 2, 2008, 11:18 am
Flag as Inappropriate DianaR says...
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You might try some B complex vitamins, after you talk with your doctor about the leg cramps.
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June 2, 2008, 11:46 am
Flag as Inappropriate skatss says...
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I heard that potassium might help too.
When the cramp starts stand up right away and stretch the calk muscle. The pain won't be anywhere as near as it usually is and the cramp will stop in a minute. Sometimes you can stop it by staying in bed and stretching the calf muscle but I've found that standing up is the best thing to do.
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June 2, 2008, 3:58 pm
Flag as Inappropriate fredkin says...
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I will get these sometimes as well but its only after a day of overworking myself to the max. Are you doing anything else besides the treadmill?
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June 2, 2008, 5:11 pm
Flag as Inappropriate George says...
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A lot of times cramps will come from dehydration. Are you keeping yourself well hydrated? Do you drink lots of water? Potassium can work but a lot of cramps are cause by not drinking enough water. Stretching before and after is a great idea and will help a little. If it keeps up talk to your Dr.
George
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June 3, 2008, 10:47 am
Flag as Inappropriate anniefromcalif says...
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I have found with an occasional leg cramp or restless legs that if I lay flat on the floor on my stomach and then spread my legs about a foot apart, then bending at the knees, bring your lower legs up and rest/brace your feet together, like making a tee-pee, or A frame. Leave up in the air for 10-15 minutes till the blood drains from them and then bring them back down. This works for me and was a home remedy my mother and grandmother taught me.
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June 3, 2008, 10:51 am
Flag as Inappropriate goodhealth says...
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Sometimes, I get calf cramps too. They are very painful, and most of the time, they wake me from a good sleep. I have observed that I get calf cramps whenever I have been working too hard or get too stressed. They disappear and leave me alone when I take proper rest, practice relaxation techniques, and exercise regularly.
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June 3, 2008, 11:12 am
Flag as Inappropriate DianaR says...
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I remember getting horrendous leg cramps during my first pregnancy. In that case, they were caused by blood flow being cut off by the uterus.
I am not saying you are pregnant....LOL, but blood flow issues can be a factor in leg cramps.
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June 3, 2008, 12:45 pm
Flag as Inappropriate sicnarf says...
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Thanks everyone for the great tips. I have a huge water bottle that sits on my desk at work and I usually finish it all but if not, it's about three-quarters gone and I finish it at home. The only exercise I'm doing right now is walking on the treadmill, but it's most likely that I tried to move to the next level a little too soon. I'll have to try some of the remedies when I get my next calf cramp. The only problem is remembering what to do while I'm in great pain. But thanks, everyone.
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June 9, 2008, 6:50 am
Flag as Inappropriate Simplyme says...
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I get these cramps as well and I have to stretch the muscle while applying pressure to the area that is cramping (I use my finger tips to apply pressure) this usually makes it manageable for me. However, I feel them for days after so it may be different circumstances.
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June 10, 2008, 1:52 pm
Flag as Inappropriate bubble says...
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I also suffer regularly from cramping in the feet and legs, usually though it is in colder spells during winter. It is due to circulation problems. Perhaps this could be the same for you, have you mentioned the problem to your doctor.
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June 11, 2008, 9:26 am
Flag as Inappropriate DianaR says...
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I had forgotten about the potassium issue, I must be getting old!
Keep us up to date on your leg cramps. It will be interesting to see how different approaches work for you!
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July 1, 2008, 5:37 pm
Flag as Inappropriate KrisNY says...
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My friend swears by this- Eat pickles or relish before bed (if you wake up with the calf cramps).
My sig other gets terrible charlie horses at night- He has started to eat a spoonful of relish before bed and they have been less frequent.
I'm not sure why though.
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