Topic: Nothing like waking up to the worst charlie horse in your calf! What can I do ??
BackinStOlaf
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23725
posted
I've been getting these sometimes. They are beyond painful !
Is it a vitamin deficiency? is it from the Lyme?
-------------------- First Symptom 9/09 Multiple docs, negative Labcorp test LLMD: 1/10 Positive Igenex/CDC test Treatment 2/10 2/10-8/10 Amox, ceftin, zith, flagyl Currently: Bicillin, Minocycline, still dealing with severe breathing issues
Posts: 1121 | From New York, New York | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
Are you taking supplemental magnesium? If not, you should be, more than likely.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
I was getting those for awhile also. Sometimes they made me scream they were so painful. 1000mg of magnesium citrate helps. The way I understand it, calcium causes the muscles to contract while magnesium causes them to relax after contraction. A cramp in a contraction that will not relax.
Also 1200 mg Acetyl L Carnitine and 600 mg alpha lipoic acid ( you can take this twice a day if necessary).
I was told to use these supplements for a horse that ties up, which is really severe cramping that can literally lock up their body. I have found it eliminated my pain as well as his. ALCAR (acetyl L carnitine) also helps with memory, mood and cognition. It helps you convert fat to muscle and helps you better utilize fats and glucose. It gives you more energy.
Stay away from sugar. Make sure you also have enough B vitamins (especially B12), vitamin C and E, selenium and zinc.
I guess you know to stretch out the muscle that is cramping. You should straighten you leg and pull your toes up. If it doesn't want to quit, a hot bath will relax it.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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kidsgotlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23691
posted
If you can find a massage therapy school near where you live, you can usually get an hour massage for around $25.
I keep a knot in my left calf, and this is the only way that I have been able to keep it from waking me up at night.
I go once a month.
-------------------- symptoms since 1993 that I can remember. 9/2018 diagnosed with Borellia, Babesia Duncani, and Bartonella Hensalae thru DNA Connections. Posts: 1470 | From Tennessee | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
I also get these horrible cramps occasionally, too--the kind that make you scream and cry.
Mostly when I'm dehydrated, so try to make sure you get enough to drink or use the rehydration cocktail. I also get them when I've been standing or walking a lot during the day and my legs are very tired and muscles strained.
For quick relief from the cramps, try Hyland's Leg Cramps with quinine homeopathic tablets. You dissolve them under your tongue. I keep a bottle next to my bed, in my purse, and in the bathroom. They begin working immediately. They also make a cream to rub on the legs, but I've never tried that. It has some yucky ingredients, as I recall.
Also try homeopathic tissue salts (also called cell salts)--mag phos or one of the potassium ones, like kali sulph. These are little soft pills you place under your tongue to dissolve. They work quickly. I keep mag phos in my purse and next to my bed too.
I also drink some water right away, and add some minerals if I have them handy--either liquid electrolytes, liquid trace minerals, or even unrefined sea or mineral salt.
Be very careful about forcefully stretching out this kind of extreme cramp. If your muscles/connective tissues are compromised by lyme pathogens or impaired by fibromyalgia, etc. you can easily tear the muscle or fascia, which would be very painful.
Take care, Nutmeg
Posts: 386 | From WA state | Registered: May 2005
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Pickle Juice
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Rifampin gave me those!
I had Rx Potassium.
Just be careful because too much potassium can be bad too.
Extra magnesium and extra water during the day helped me too.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Replace electrolytes too may help. They make mixes for people who have diarrhea and vomiting. It works the same for us when we kill too many cells we lose nutrients we need for cells to function...
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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