It felt like the muscle was uncontrollably contracting as hard as it could. The muscle was pretty huge. I clasped my hands around both sides and squeezed on it to try to control the pain. Through my hands it felt like my heart was beating with the beats originating in my leg.
Anyway, this went away after about 2 minutes. What the hell? I haven't eaten much at all in the past 3 days due to illness, so maybe it's lack of minerals?
2007-03-06 00:48:20 · 6 answers · asked by Jennifer S 4 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Hey Jennifer,
I know how painful they are! I would think that you suffered a "Charlie Horse". What I've found helpful in relieving it is dangling both legs over the bed. With your bad leg, point your toes upward, and SLOWLY make your whole foot point up. It causes your calf muscles to relax. Go up and down, slowly, and it should bring the cramp to an end if about 30 seconds.
Now, to the cause :)
Porphyria or the Charlie Horse refers to any cramp where a leg muscle is locked in the contracted position.
Muscle cramping is a symptom for a number of different problems. Lack of potassium is a big one, so have a banana or two. Another is lack of calcium, so drink some milk or have some other calcium rich food. Another is dehydration, so have a glass of water and stay away from diuretics like coffee or tea. Another is exercise without stretching, so make sure to warm up and stretch properly before and after exercise. Another is your muscles being cold, so try to warm them either with a heating pad or a warming rub (like Icey Hot or Tiger Balm). It could also be tension, and I find that Advil or some other drug to bring swelling down will help this out. It could also be a sign of lack of magnesium or phosphorus, so you should try taking multivitamins regularly.
Having low potassium can cause some major problems, so you should probably go to the doctor as soon as possible to just make sure you have good levels. And good luck with getting rid of your cramps, I have had a few restless nights with foot cramps, and they can really make your waking life difficult!
I don't think it could have been a clot, but here's some info on those too. (I suffered a clot in the leg, and you usually have other symptoms such as those listed below.) Be careful though, and never be afraid to go to a doctor to have it ultrasounded to be safe!
General things to watch for:
Warm feeling in leg
Muscle cramping in leg
Red or swollen area on leg
Good luck to you!
Chris
2007-03-06 05:30:59 · answer #1 · answered by Chris 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've experienced the same thing,a good few times now when i wake up, And it's most probably cramp- my friends say the same. It's nothing to worry about, it happens to alot of people so you're not the only one! When i get cramp it usually lasts about 30-60 seconds, and i find that rubbing my leg really hard helps it to go faster, or at least eases the pain. Hope this helps, take care, Zenna x x x x <3
2007-03-06 08:58:25 · answer #2 · answered by zenna_star 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dehydration causes cramping, since you've been sick and not eating or drinking that is what happened. Get some Gatorade, or propel and start hydrating!
2007-03-06 08:57:09 · answer #3 · answered by Lady X 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh god.. charley horse! worst ******* thing! you can actually see the muscle twisting.
when this happens, you have to vigorously rub your muscle and try to get circulation as soon as possible! NO HEAT!!!
charley horses occur due to the lack of potassium and zinc.
supplement your diet with centrum
2007-03-06 08:56:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cramp... get some salt in your diet and make sure you are at least drinking a supplement when ill (Boost, Ensure, etc.)
2007-03-06 08:56:09 · answer #5 · answered by Sir J 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You cramp up when you are dehydrated. DRINK WATER even if you don't feel like it.
2007-03-06 08:57:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋