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Post by pepper59 on Mar 23, 2015 21:47:02 GMT
New Update 10/15
I am still experiencing the cramping though not constant.. Sometimes severe. The cold laser treatments have really seemed to be helping the sciatica pain and I am still much better than over the summer. Able to grocery shop, do my housework, cook dinner, etc but the last week or 2 my pain has been worse again. It really concerns me because I don't want to go backwards. I am still having several days in a row with no cramps then they'll start up and I'll have 4-5 days of cramps waking me up every morning then they'll just stop. So bizarre and leaves me in a constant state of worry of when they'll strike again! I had my Vitamin D rechecked and it had come up from 4.5 to 30. Bottom end of normal so I'll continue to take it. I've been taking magnesium for months but started a new type GUARANTEED to stop muscle cramps. Umm, no. Still here. Also added Vitamin B complex this week, so we'll see. Docs have no clue why they continue. I am now having pain behind one knee and having an ultrasound tomorrow to see if it is Baker's cyst which would need to be drained with a needle.
We're headed to Mexico for a cruise in 2 weeks then in a month DH is taking me to NYC and Washington DC for my birthday. I was doing so well I thought we could do it with lots of rest stops and mostly bus tours but now I seem to be going backwards so I'm scared. We were supposed to be going to Europe for my birthday but decided to wait for spring and hopes I'm much better by then.
Anyway, thanks again for praying and your support. I keep reminding myself of all the horrible things it could be and know many are suffering so much worse. But sometimes I just feel really depressed because I am still so far from the girl doing Zumba a year ago.
New Update 9/16
I have continued the cold laser treatments and Praise the Lord I am getting better! The last few weeks I have had mostly good days, some cramps at times but the sciatica pain has greatly diminished. I am able to grocery shop without using a motorized cart and do most of my normal housework. If I'm up all day with a lot of activity I will usually pay for it that night and the next day but I have only taken 3 Percocet in the last 3 weeks! I take the occasional valium when I get real crampy but all in all I'm so much better! The PT has me doing the recumbent stair master, leg presses, balancing on a gel pad and bouncing on the big ball and I have tolerated it well. He believes the stronger my core gets the more it will pull my pelvis into alignment.
I am almost finished with my 3 month course of Vitamin D and will be checked to see if that has improved. The cramps are still the most discouraging part. I will go 5-6 days with none then be hit with a storm again. It has me pretty unnerved and I am still afraid of getting in the water again. We're going on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera in 6 weeks and I'm terrified of getting in the ocean and having a cramp episode like the last one. Snorkeling and water sports are my most fave thing in the world and I am so sad to think I might never again get to enjoy it. Cold seems to make them worse and cool water scares me! But I keep reminding myself of how far I've come and I am very grateful. Working hard to lose weight as well because I know that can only help.
Thank you all once again for being there when I was so desperate and discouraged. It meant the world! ******************************************************************************************************************************************
New Update 8/16
I had a few people ask on another thread how I was doing so thought I'd update here as well:
It has been 5 months since the onset of the extreme muscle cramping. When I lasted posted in June I had finally seen a neurologist and found my vitamin D was severely low. She said it was a possible cause of the cramping and started me on mega dose therapy which she said could take 6 months to see results. I'm just finishing month 2. She also sent me back to PT for the 3rd time. The neurologist believes my pain stems from my pelvis being out of alignment, due to a dislocation of my hip at age 11. Over the years my body has tried to compensate and I am now very crooked. It isn't something a chiro can put back in place but I am doing specific exercises for my core muscles to bring it back into place and create muscle memory of where it should stay.. I have tried a TENS unit with no relief. I am having Strain/Counter Strain massage therapy, myofacial release massage which seem to help some and most recently laser treatments.
I have to say that in all the time I have been treated, the Laser is the ONLY thing that has brought any relief. I am now having an occasional good day, where as for the last 2 months good days were almost non existent. I originally though my piriformis was the problem but those stretches bring no relief. My PT also suspects an annular tear in my L4-L5 disc. Hard to see on an MRI but can leak caustic fluid that irritates the nerve and causes a lot of pain. My MRI was closed with contrast and showed mild bulging and fluid and inflammation but apparently not enough for surgery. The sciatic pain begins low in my back and shoots down my left buttock all the way to my toes. My calves and shins ache and 3 of my toes feel hot and/or numb.
The cramps have continued, mostly in a mild form but are still horrible at times and I have taken every muscle relaxer in the book. Then they just go away completely for a few days then BAM this morning at 4:40 I was woken with severe cramps in both feet, left calf, toes curling. Tried to walk off, no luck. Used heat and a Valium and finally after an hour drifted off to be woken again at 8:00 with more cramps which have continued to threaten now at 10:45 am. Despite taking a zanaflex muscle relaxer and being wrapped in heating pads.
Overall I am able to walk a bit more, maybe like 15 minutes. Stairs and ramps or inclines are extremely difficult. My sciatica pain has me wanting to gnaw off my leg more days than not. I use percocet as carefully as possible and zanaflex. I can do light housework and cooking but have to use a motorized cart for any shopping other than a 10 minute milk run. Thank God, DH retired in December or I don't know how I would survive. I've had to give up so many things I love: working in the hospitality center at church, regular babysitting of the grands unless DH is also here to help, a lot of my crafting, retail therapy at my fave stores since they don't have a scooter. It has taken over our life. We went on a cruise to Alaska 2 weeks ago and we took a wheelchair. I felt so miserable in it but had to do it. We cancelled our trip to Europe in November, my life long dream, because I probably will still be too debilitated to enjoy it. It's so hard to believe in this day and age they can't just fix it or even diagnose it with any certainty. I am clinging to hope in The Great Physician and pray for healing and/or the grace to accept and have peace.
Thanks for reading this long update. I so appreciate your continued prayer. ************************************************************************************
I've been suffering with sciatica /bursitis for a while now and got a cortisone 2 weeks ago. It did help some. We arrived in Hawaii on vacation Thursday. While snorkeling yesterday I got a bad cramp in my ankle/shin area on the bad leg. While trying to stretch it put my other leg went- WHOLE leg! Started in shin then went to groin, hamstring, the worst pain I've ever had. My DH was trying to get me on the beach because I was panicing and hyperventilating. It took 30 minutes of trying to get it to let go enough that I could walk out. I was sore all over all night and I am terrified because it feels like it's threatening to return. I am hydrating like crazy, eating bananas, powerade, pickle juice. Trying to walk and stretch and even took some of DH's flexeril muscle relaxant. It helps some but I can still barely walk. And I am 1 cramp away from hysteria if comes back. And I have a 6 hour plane ride home. I left a message for my doc. PLEASE does anyone have some advice or help? Thank you so much in advance!!!
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Post by jcm28 on Mar 23, 2015 22:14:04 GMT
Taking magnesium has helped me. I also wear heavy-duty, old lady support hose whenever I have to stand a lot (at work) or sit a lot (travel or crops). I have cramps in my inner thigh and it feels like the femur is being pulled out of the socket!
Janet
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2015 22:14:36 GMT
I got terrible leg cramps when i was expecting. I drank 4L of milk a day so a gallon of milk a day (I was a house so you can only imagine). I still got leg cramps. I have never had them as bad as you do though. What about potassium? Are you low in it? I don't know what causes them as I was told calcium deficiency and I was drinking tons of milk and still got them. I don't get them now though.
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Post by hennybutton on Mar 23, 2015 22:17:44 GMT
I think you need to hit the spa for a massage. I hope you feel better quick. Pain on a vacation is no fun.
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Post by pepper59 on Mar 23, 2015 22:32:39 GMT
Thanks. We're at the most gorgeous beach and I'm sitting here in the car crying. So frustrated. Walking on the sand kills me and after my episode yesterday I am terrified to get back in the water.
I left my doc a message and when I hear back I will ask about the calcium and magnesium . Right now I'm so upset I can't eat anything. Forcing bananas and water.. My stomach is just rolling.
I plan on sitting in the hot tub when we get back and try some stretching in there. But the stretching scares me to death because I know that can bring it back. I'm a mess!
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Deleted
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May 18, 2024 17:05:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2015 22:37:58 GMT
while pregnant i would have bad leg cramps at night. being hydrated really makes a difference. i would alternate water and g2 gatorade- less sugar. i also wore compression socks. i hope you feel better and can enjoy your vacation.
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J u l e e
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Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Mar 23, 2015 23:25:22 GMT
I am so sorry. Just run of the mill muscle cramps stress me out - I get a lot in my legs as I run and dance and don't stretch nearly as much as I should. I hope you start to feel relief and cramps don't return.
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Post by Freefallfast on Mar 24, 2015 0:04:16 GMT
I have heard wearing flip flops or some sandals make your feet and leg muscles work differently than shoes and could cause cramps.
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BarbaraUK
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Surrounded by my yarn stash on the NE coast of England...............!! Refupea 1702
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Jun 27, 2014 12:47:11 GMT
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Post by BarbaraUK on Mar 24, 2015 0:12:49 GMT
Would it be possible for you to go to the local Emergency Department or something, they would probably be able to give you something to help? A 6 hour plane journey home is a long time to be stressed and and worried about the possibility of the cramp and pain returning.
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Post by gramasue on Mar 24, 2015 0:16:24 GMT
Taking magnesium has helped me. I also wear heavy-duty, old lady support hose whenever I have to stand a lot (at work) or sit a lot (travel or crops). I have cramps in my inner thigh and it feels like the femur is being pulled out of the socket! Janet I agree with the magnesium. I had a bad bout of leg cramps a few months ago. They would wake me out of a dead sleep and I would be in horrible pain for hours. Nothing helped - I tried stretching, walking, exercise, pain pills. This happened for a few nights and after I got on the magnesium, it stopped and has not happened again.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Mar 24, 2015 0:30:10 GMT
I think any sort of supplement, Calcuim or mag, will take too long to help. I take Vit D for my cramps, and it took a long time to help. What I would try is a stretch, when your leg starts to cramp bring your toes towards your nose, and hold it there. Also you can hook a towel over your foot, and gently pull your foot towards you. Like a hamstring stretch. www.popsugar.com/fitness/photo-gallery/33387812/image/33699020/Seated-Calf-Stretch and then heat to your hamstring.
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Post by christine58 on Mar 24, 2015 0:53:20 GMT
I think sitting doing nothing is worse for it. I've had those terrible cramps and you're right..they hurt BAD. BUT sitting around waiting for the next one to come is not my idea of fun at all. Go get a massage---tell the masseuse about the cramp. I honestly think you're working yourself up into a panic attack from the sounds of it...have a drink or two...sit in a hot tub...do something other than sitting around.
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Post by wandawoman on Mar 24, 2015 0:58:01 GMT
I was told that a spoonful of mustard would make cramps go away, but I've not been able to make myself try it. If it got as bad as yours I think I might do it.
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Post by pepper59 on Mar 24, 2015 1:25:37 GMT
I've been trying to get up and walk every 15 minutes or so and stretch. I got in the hot tub and tried to work out some of the tightness in there too but honestly didn't seem to really help at all.
In sTopped by the drugstore on the way home from the beach and got a calcium/magnesium supplement and hot pad. I'm trying everything and praying for relief! Thanks for all the input!
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Post by nysparkle on Mar 24, 2015 2:24:32 GMT
I hope you get some relief. I had my thigh cramp badly twice just like you described. It hurt so bad I felt like I was going to pass out and I wanted to pass out to avoid the pain. I couldn't even manage the strength to scream. Dh knew something was wrong because I was punching my thigh. I NEVER want to experience that again. So I understand your concern. I wish I had some advice for you. Good luck and I'll say a prayer for you.
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Post by Sassy Sabrina SWZ on Mar 24, 2015 2:32:51 GMT
I get terrible leg and toe cramps, too. Sometimes, I know what has triggered them: cold temperature, dehydration, or stretching the wrong way (never stretch out your leg and point your toes! I wonder if you did this while snorkeling). I do the routine of "point your toes/toward your nose," as cindyupnorth recommended. Try to make an "L" with your foot (in relation to your leg); walk around instead of lying down. And *tell* your leg muscles to relax; sometimes, they will obey!
Another suggestion: drink some tonic water. You can add cranberry juice or other flavors to disguise the bitter taste. Tonic water used to contain more quinine, which worked for cramps but had toxic effects. Nowadays, there is less quinine in tonic water, so it won't hurt you but may still be effective.
One thing worries me, though: are you sure it's a cramp? Is it possible you developed a blood clot during the long flight to Hawaii? The extreme pain makes me think of that. If there's any possibility that it's a thrombus, you should see a doctor and have an ultrasound done. You would need blood-thinning medication before flying home.
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Post by alittleintrepid on Mar 24, 2015 2:58:40 GMT
One thing worries me, though: are you sure it's a cramp? Is it possible you developed a blood clot during the long flight to Hawaii? The extreme pain makes me think of that. If there's any possibility that it's a thrombus, you should see a doctor and have an ultrasound done. You would need blood-thinning medication before flying home. My mind went to DVT too. OP, I think you should consult a doctor as a blood clot could be life threatening if it travels to your lungs.
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Rainbow
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Post by Rainbow on Mar 24, 2015 3:05:05 GMT
Could you get in to an urgent care and maybe get some potassium? That is what my doctor gave me for leg cramps.
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Post by melanieg on Mar 24, 2015 3:12:57 GMT
I get bad leg cramps at night while sleeping (not as bad as yours sound though). I was told to have some cheese. It works most of the time.
Id get to an urgent care or ER right away to get it checked out.
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Post by scrapbookbobbie on Mar 24, 2015 3:20:44 GMT
I drink Tonic Water when I start to have this happen. The last time we were in Hawaii I had the same thing start to happen. Went to the bar and got a large glass of Tonic Water, it stopped them.
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grammanisi
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Post by grammanisi on Mar 24, 2015 4:15:50 GMT
I second the tonic water. My husband gets terrible leg cramps. We buy the small bottles of tonic water and he keeps one by the bed and one in his truck. As soon as he feels one coming on he drinks some. Works most every time.
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Post by pepper59 on Mar 24, 2015 5:01:23 GMT
I don't think it's a DVT because if the way it came on. You know how a cramp comes on and you feel it start to build then it grabs and the whole is stiff and the muscle hard as a rock. Then you feel it finally, mercifully begin to recede. But when my doc calls I'll ask what he thinks. I'll definitely try the tonic water too. Thanks all!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2015 5:06:32 GMT
Tonic water and bananas.
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Post by lindywholoveskids on Mar 24, 2015 6:58:08 GMT
I would get to an ER. You need to get checked to rule out the spinal disc problems that cause sciatica. that's nerve pain that starts in the discs that are protruding. only way to diagnose it is an xray and an MRI.
I like the suggestions for seltzer water though, because I get foot cramps in the night....my sciatica is better now but I got it in early January. was in the ER/holding area for 3 days. serious drugs.
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Post by pas2 on Mar 24, 2015 10:16:00 GMT
This may sound silly but when I get those foot or leg cramps that send me flying out of bed at night I pinch the skin on my upper lip just below my nose and amazingly the cramp disappears! But seriously I agree with with going to the dr before you fly home it may be more than a leg cramp. For me I needed vitamin E to end the leg cramp cycle.
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Post by christine58 on Mar 24, 2015 10:34:45 GMT
Hoping you're better today.
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joelise
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Post by joelise on Mar 24, 2015 11:04:54 GMT
I suffered from what everyone thought was severe cramp, the pain was excruciating and came in spasms. I was advised to drink tonic water which didn't help. It was only after an MRI scan that they discovered I had a lower lumbar protrusion (slipped disc). I hope you get something sorted soon.
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Post by brookeq on Mar 24, 2015 11:44:51 GMT
Ever since I hurt my back and dealt with terrible sciatic pain (thankfully not here right now) when i go in a pool, ocean, etc with cooler water I get a leg or foot cramp. Almost every time. I have no explanation. But just wanted to say I know how you feel. And once you get a bad one it feels like they will be back.
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Post by angieh1996 on Mar 24, 2015 12:57:46 GMT
My DH used to get debilitating muscle cramps. We started him on coconut water high in potassium. Since he started drinking it he hasn't had any cramps. I think I'd get checked for DVT first.
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Post by dreamer on Mar 24, 2015 13:03:52 GMT
I hope you are feeling better and can enjoy your trip!
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