Muscle cramps

Muscle cramps (Full Version)

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camille65 -> Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 10:26:55 AM)
Okay, my doctor has no answers but she is the most disinterested doctor I've ever met so I'm hoping someone here can help. The past year or so I've been getting horrific cramps, charley horse type cramps but not in the normal place like a leg. Oh noooo, my body has decided that cramps under my rib cage would be way more fun! These are 'drop me to my knees no matter where I am' painful. Hold my breath and maybe if I'm lucky I will pass out painful. My potassium levels are fine. I'm hydrated. I practice Tai Chi so I get good stretching in. They hit while I'm driving which is oh so much fun, or if I happen to reach for something waist height like at the grocery store. They feel like they are around the second or third ribs from the bottom, either side but so far not both sides at once. Thanks!

CreativeDominant -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 12:36:29 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: camille65 Okay, my doctor has no answers but she is the most disinterested doctor I've ever met so I'm hoping someone here can help. The past year or so I've been getting horrific cramps, charley horse type cramps but not in the normal place like a leg. Oh noooo, my body has decided that cramps under my rib cage would be way more fun! These are 'drop me to my knees no matter where I am' painful. Hold my breath and maybe if I'm lucky I will pass out painful. My potassium levels are fine. I'm hydrated. I practice Tai Chi so I get good stretching in. They hit while I'm driving which is oh so much fun, or if I happen to reach for something waist height like at the grocery store. They feel like they are around the second or third ribs from the bottom, either side but so far not both sides at once. Thanks! Something I use with my patients that really helps with that is a formulation called "Cal-MAG-Z". It comes from Dee Dee Laboratories. You might have to see a D.C. to get it or you can look at Wal-Mart...I know they have a Vitamin/mineral section in their pharmacy.

stef -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 12:38:34 PM)
Ugh. My best friend has similar cramping issues and she has been seeing dozens of doctors for it over the last five years. At present, it's being called an "undiagnosed metabolic disorder" and she's basically been told they have no idea what's causing it or what to do about it. I hope you have better luck with your case.

Spiritedsub2 -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 12:39:09 PM)
I've never had cramps as bad as you describe but I did get the calf muscle ones for awhile. Potassium didn't do anything, but I tried magnesium supplements and that fixed it. Afterward I read more about magnesium and now it's one of the few supplements I take every day. Won't hurt to try it. I'll bet CreativeDominant would have some ideas for you. Edit: and I see CD chimed in while I was typing that. I'm psychic. Probably from the magnesium.

DaddySatyr -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 12:43:32 PM)
Except for soda, I removed salt from my diet, years ago. I have found that in the colder weather, making an effort to add some salt really helps. One of my ladies drinks about 6 oz. of Gatorade, every day and that seems to do the trick for her. Michael

camille65 -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 12:44:56 PM)
My vitamin D levels are pretty low (I keep forgetting to take those once a week pills), last check it was around 16 or 17 but that is up from the previous 9! And Stef, an undiagnosed metabolic disorder sounds right up my bodies annoying alley lol. I've got Lupus and Fibromyalgia, Neuropathy, Arthritis, TMJ, Sjogrens and likely others I'm forgetting. Yup, bursitis. Unfortunately my doctor said she has no interest in checking either my metabolic or hormone levels. I shall definitely look into what CD recommended, it is super scary when I'm driving and it hits. I have to pull over and do weird contortions by the side of the road lol. I'm not in the habit of taking any vitamins aside from the 'OMG I've forgotten the vitamin D for two months now!". I appreciate the input!

camille65 -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 12:47:39 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DaddySatyr Except for soda, I removed salt from my diet, years ago. I have found that in the colder weather, making an effort to add some salt really helps. One of my ladies drinks about 6 oz. of Gatorade, every day and that seems to do the trick for her. Michael My Owner has me drink pickle juice, it is a lot like Gatorade but well... pickly lol. I've also begun doing a shot of vinegar with the mother (dear god it is THE most vile stuff in the freaking world!) which I think is helping other stuff. Bah. To be young, carefree and ignorant of health issues! :)

stef -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 12:52:47 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: camille65 My Owner has me drink pickle juice, it is a lot like Gatorade but well... pickly lol. It's probably significantly healthier than drinking the sugar water sold as Gatorade. While Pepsico's accountants might not agree, there are far better ways to get potassium into your diet than drinking that crap.

camille65 -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 12:55:50 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: stef quote: ORIGINAL: camille65 My Owner has me drink pickle juice, it is a lot like Gatorade but well... pickly lol. It's probably significantly healthier than drinking the sugar water sold as Gatorade. While Pepsico's accountants might not agree, there are far better ways to get potassium into your diet than drinking that crap. I can't stand Gatorade, the pickle juice is actually pretty good but one has to like dill pickles. It is slammable lol.

CreativeDominant -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 12:58:08 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Spiritedsub2 I've never had cramps as bad as you describe but I did get the calf muscle ones for awhile. Potassium didn't do anything, but I tried magnesium supplements and that fixed it. Afterward I read more about magnesium and now it's one of the few supplements I take every day. Won't hurt to try it. I'll bet CreativeDominant would have some ideas for you. Edit: and I see CD chimed in while I was typing that. I'm psychic. Probably from the magnesium. you SOOOOOOOOO good. And let's not forget...great minds

camille65 -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 1:00:22 PM)
I've the Cal-mag-Z noted down for the next time I venture out into the world. And maybe magnesium so I can read minds like you guys, although now that I'm thinking about it... do I really want to know what people are thinking?

CreativeDominant -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 1:20:32 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: camille65 I've the Cal-mag-Z noted down for the next time I venture out into the world. And maybe magnesium so I can read minds like you guys, although now that I'm thinking about it... do I really want to know what people are thinking? Hmmmm sweetie? That's what the MAG in Cal-MAG-Z stands for...magnesium. The Cal is calcium and the Z is zinc.

camille65 -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 1:24:19 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: CreativeDominant quote: ORIGINAL: camille65 I've the Cal-mag-Z noted down for the next time I venture out into the world. And maybe magnesium so I can read minds like you guys, although now that I'm thinking about it... do I really want to know what people are thinking? Hmmmm sweetie? That's what the MAG in Cal-MAG-Z stands for...magnesium. The Cal is calcium and the Z is zinc. Should I look for any particular levels? Would you happen to know off the top of your creative brain if it interacts with Warfarin? Yes I can look the latter up but yes I really am that lazy today.

CreativeDominant -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 1:33:19 PM)
First, let me send you this: http://www.earthturns.com/mobile/Product.aspx?id=40 Next...no, it does not interact with Warfarin in a negative manner.

camille65 -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 1:37:28 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: CreativeDominant First, let me send you this: http://www.earthturns.com/mobile/Product.aspx?id=40 Next...no, it does not interact with Warfarin in a negative manner. Hurrah for something that does not interact with Warfarin! And, I'm picking some up tomorrow if it is readily available at any of the stores I hit. Thank you so much CD and I even take back my 'ego lost in the couch' comment. No wait. I don't take that back because it was funny. :) But a real thank you on this. I'm getting a bit desperate for help with this whole thing.

LafayetteLady -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/29/2014 7:41:10 PM)
If these cramps have been happening regularly and your doctor has no interest in finding out why or what is causing them, it's time for a new doctor. And yes, some blood work could be very helpful. Thyroid levels and parathyroid levels can be off. Parathyroid issues could cause the low vitamin D as well. Low blood calcium can cause the cramping (another parathyroid function). Good luck. Again I would seriously change doctors.

MariaB -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/30/2014 6:31:50 AM)
What you describe sounds so similar to me. Like you, I have a problem with vitamin D and my doctor chose to ignore it for years. Unfortunately for me its caused a lot of bone problems to both my upper jaw and spine. Get your D levels sorted out ASAP. It may be that your not able to absorb vitamin D in which case you need injectables. I am presently awaiting treatment on my cervical spine for herniated discs but not before I've had a full spinal MRI. I get what I call mid riff spasms at the base of my ribcage and when it happens I'm in absolute agony. My spinal surgeon has told me that its highly likely I have a bulging disc in that area and its pressing on a nerve and causing these spasms. I think at the very least you need a spinal X-ray...better still an MRI of your spine.

SweetForDaddy -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/30/2014 2:53:55 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady If these cramps have been happening regularly and your doctor has no interest in finding out why or what is causing them, it's time for a new doctor. And yes, some blood work could be very helpful. Thyroid levels and parathyroid levels can be off. Parathyroid issues could cause the low vitamin D as well. Low blood calcium can cause the cramping (another parathyroid function). Good luck. Again I would seriously change doctors. I would second that. To the OP - Is there a reason why you don't want to change? They don't sound very helpful. Do you have to pay to get advice for something like this in the US? I have no idea how the US healthcare system works really.

ReinRaus -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/30/2014 3:03:31 PM)
Find a new doctor that can at least point you to an appropriate specialist. We can't diagnose you accurately and it's disturbing your doc isn't giving you a referral for someone that can check your specific levels. If you think it may be diet related, you can consider seeing a Naturopath for detailed suggestions to alter/balance/remove certain things you're eating. They can also give you better input on the supplements previous commenters mentioned. Good luck!!!

SMgirl66 -> RE: Muscle cramps (12/30/2014 3:11:59 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: ReinRaus Find a new doctor that can at least point you to an appropriate specialist. We can't diagnose you accurately and it's disturbing your doc isn't giving you a referral for someone that can check your specific levels. If you think it may be diet related, you can consider seeing a Naturopath for detailed suggestions to alter/balance/remove certain things you're eating. They can also give you better input on the supplements previous commenters mentioned. Good luck!!! yeah i second the advice of trying another doctor if possible, i know a little about the us system and if there isn't another doctor your insurance will allow, my next piece of advice is to go to this one and forcibly demand whatever tests you want done, doctors are there for us not the other way around my sympathies with you as i too have just run a gauntlet of doctors until i found one who would help me and are now recovering from a 2 mth illness good luck

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