Charlie Horses. *aaaack!*

[blinc]

Oooh, don't you hate it when your muscles tighten up with that burning pain and you just know, with one false move you're going to be in agony?

I'm sitting here with a burning pain in my neck (no, it's not the hubby, *snork) and I just know if I move my head the wrong way... AAAAAAH! Charlie Horse! Get them in my calves every once in awhle too. Anyone have any way to stop them while they're sitting there waiting to go "charlie" on ya?

I've heard that they are caused by low potassium levels, so I'll be eating banana's here today. Anyone else heard that?

Aaack! I hate those things!

Ever get one in your foot where it spreads your toes apart and curls them under? AAAAAAAAAH! {eek} Those bad boys really hurt!!

[jamesglewisf]

I haven't gotten a charlie horse in years. I used to get them a lot while swimming.

Every once in a while I pinch a nerve somewhere, and this really hot pain shoots up the back of my neck and head. That's what I hate.

[kezzer]

I'm just waiting for the lovely leg cramps of pregnancy to hit. {eek}
I heard that calcium helps ease leg cramps. Where'd that banana tree and cow go to?! ;)

[blinc]

Hey, that's how I always eat banana's - with a glass of milk. Great! :)

Does being pregnant cause you to get cramps Kezzer? Are they charlie horse cramps? Gads, if pregnancy does cause that, that's awful. The morning sickness, cravings, weight and water gains aren't enough huh? Got to throw in some cramps too?

Jim, that sounds awfully painful. Is there anything you can do to make them stop?

Someone told me that when you feel a charlie horse coming on, to push against that muscle as hard as you can. Yeah, right - the only thing that did was to definitely make it happen. {rolleyes}

[kezzer]

The pregnancy cramps are in the calves. I'm not sure exactly why they happen. But you're right, Like pregnant woman need just one more thing! Oh well!

[jamesglewisf]

Originally posted by blinc
Jim, that sounds awfully painful. Is there anything you can do to make them stop?Wait about 10 seconds for it to end.

[blinc]

Oh! I was wondering because I have neck problems every now and then. Gives me whompers of headaches - was wondering if you had found a secret to fixing it (besides a chiropracter). Drats! Had to chuckle over your cure though.

Oh man Kezzer, ouch! Do most pregnant women get them?

[kezzer]

Most that I've known have. It really doesn't start til the 3rd trimester, of course when you're already at your most uncomfortable time in the pregnancy! I take it in stride for the most part though. I said something similar to this in another post, but almost in an instant the pain is over and you're looking in the eyes of the little monster that caused all the headaches, cramps, heartburn, indigestion, bloating, weight gain, etc, etc, etc! {angel}

[TTP]

I used to always get cramps. I remember one time during a football game both of my calves cramped so hard and tight that I was jumping up and down and my heels never touched the ground. I actually had to punch them to get them to relax...it wasn't fun.
I hiked up my eating of fruit after that, especially bananas for the potassium and that helped a bunch...infact I rarely got them after that.
About the pregnancy cramps, I think that is probably do to lack of vitamins as well. Potassium to be more exact. I am not a doctor, but I think the reason it happens more in the 3rd trimester is because that is when the child is drawing the most out of you, at this point I think you really are "eating for two." The child is going to be pulling all the vitamins out of your blood it can so it can grow. Make sure to load up on your pregnancy vitamins and make sure you take them as directed.
Maybe I'll be a doctor...that would be fun, I'll add it to my "to do list." {rolleyes}

Lawn mower dude (check)
Clerk (check)
Network Admin (maybe someday)
Lawyer (as soon as I'm done w/ NA)
Doctor (gotta do the Lawyer thing first)

Will I ever get out of school!?!? {bawling}

[momofmany38]

My husband always got the charlie horses in his neck and legs......and his feet......he drives all day and is cramped in a car.......well, what I always did for him was rub that area.....like a massage.......and then put him in a hot shower and afterwards, a hot heating pad.....it worked wonders.......{mm}

I had them during my pregnancies......well, needless to say, he gave me the same treatment!!!

[Grimey]

I got one of these the other day while mowing. I have no idea why.

[Madge]

Here's a revival of an old thread...

Charlie Horses - what a pain in the calf!! It seems I get one or two every night, just about as I'm ready to actually fall asleep. Sometimes I get them in the bottom of my feet - I have to get out of bed and walk around to relieve them. By the time I get BACK to bed, I can't fall asleep again!!

[Noseypoo]

You lack Potassium ... eat loads of bananas, they'll block you up, but you won't have anymore charlie horses {toothy}

[Justawoman]

It also is a calcium, magnesium deficiency. Your body is lacking minerals for the muscles. You can buy a supplement with all three, including the potassium. I was told by a coach, way back in high school, to drink lots of water too and not to stretch your feet and legs really fast in the mornings or at anytime. He swore this could bring them on. Now when I feel them trying to start in the feet I try to relax without stretching my toes, feet or legs. It does help.

My grandmother use to say to turn your shoes upside down under the foot of your bed before going to sleep. It had to be the shoes you wore that day. I never tried that. I thought how silly. Anymore old wives tales for charlie horses?

[Madge]

I did do a little reading about the causes of charlie horses, and potassium, magnesium and calcium deficiencies are the root of the problem. I try to take supplements every day (choke*gag*yuck) and I do drink plenty of water. The shoe thing under the bed... J.A.W. - your grandmother MUST have known my French Canadian Grandfather - I never heard of her remedy, but I'm SURE Pop had a good one, too! http://www.frappydoo.com/forum/images/smilies/smilez.gif

[Grimey]

I got a charlie horse the other night. I'm blaming all of you people for the power of suggestion. {smash}

[Madge]

http://www.frappydoo.com/forum/images/smilies/roflmbo.gif Sorry about that, Grimey! Did you try any of J.A.W.'s grandmother's suggestions?

[Justawoman]

Another one she had was putting a pan of H20 under the bed when you go to sleep. Charlie Horses ... makes you wonder where the name came from.

[Jack]

The Olympics organizers used to teach their athletes the following method to almost immediately stop the pain of a Charlie horse. My family and I have been using it for over fifty years and I guarantee you that it works.

When the pain begins pinch your upper lip between your thumb and index finger. By upper lip I mean your upper lip including the bit of flesh between your two nostrils. Pinch it hard while simultaneously pulling down. This will hurt a bit but you will begin to almost immediately feel the Charlie horse subsiding. The only expanition I have for how it works is that it may be akin to Chinese acupuncture. But how it works is not important. What is important is that it does work. Drop me a line if you try it.

Jack

[Madge]

Many years ago I worked for a Chinese acupucturist who was able to control pain in so many ways - he was the "anesthesiologist" in many short surgeries - tonsilectomies, adenoidectomies, foot surgeries and the like. I was amazed by this man - I suffered (then and now) from migraine headaches, and he was able to ease the pain (if not eradicate it completely) by simple massage of my temples. I have seen many painful bodily ailments relieved by pressure on the earlobes, feet and hands. It is truly astonishing how our own bodies can facilitate pain and stress management in it's parts. Thanks for this post, Jack - I'm SURE it works!!

[Justawoman]

When my father's mother was alive and lived in Clovis, NM she had a foot doctor for a neighbor. OH MY GOSH, this man could give you foot massages that would send the neighborhood children running in squeals. We all thought it was cool that he could make you feel pressure in other parts of your body by squeezing your feet in certain areas. Mr. Allen never grew tired of letting us see how long we could sit in a chair opposite of him with our feet in his hands. He was a cool person all the way around. I wish we had one of those around here now.

[raybeck]

I'm having back problems (a year now), never had them before and actually it isn't my back but, my left rear and down my left leg to my foot. Finally went to the chiropractor and it is due to any injury that he said happened probably before age 6. I have my L4 and L5 vertebrae about an inch out of place...it causes my rear to feel like I have a charlie horse in it, or maybe it is one. The vertebrae that are out of place are pinching a nerve (can't spell it, but I bet you all know which one I'm talking about...siatic, I know that not the correct spelling). Anyway, it feels like someone is sticking a hot poker in me. I sure am hoping the Dr. can fix it, otherwise they say cortizone shot in the spine...not too sure about that happening. Have you ever had a charlie horse in your thigh? My gosh, that is so painful, got one when traveling in the car a couple of times, we have to pull over and there really isn't much you can do to stop it...it just runs it's course...ouch!!! I also had them in my legs during pregnancy and my DH (in his sleep) new to grab my leg and start massaging! lol Now that's sweet...

[Justawoman]

Have cousin with that problem raybeck. He pretty much is in pain alot.

[ajmartinez]

Has anyone had the opportunity to or know of someone who has tried a product called "All Calm" to prevent Charlie Horses from coming on? Just curious, I found this product out on the web and am trying to verify its effectiveness for my dear old mother who suffers of these nasty cramping fiends quite frequently. Thanks in advance for any responses I may see posted. -crazyquail

[jamesglewisf]

I've never heard of it, no.

[raybeck]

I have not heard of that particular product, but I take extra magnesium for charlie horses and it works great! I'd be willing to bet that product has some in it, too!