Severe charley horse's ( cramps)

[Rock_skipper]

I've been reading some on this and was wondering how you guys and gals deal with them when they hit you.

I know it has alot to do with water and potassium, but I was just reading that hot weather can bring these attacks on, not good to be out in the woods when one of these attacks come on.

I had a major one hit my neck last week, and another hit my calf this week. Both have a life span for about 4-5 days, very painful.

From what I read, more gator-aid and bananas, and no beer in the hot weather.

Just wondering if any of you all have had this problem.

This problem probably has something to do with the surgary that I had, but it is still something that people need to be on the lookout for if your going to be out in the woods, or taking part in a foot race.

 

[kingfisherktn]

Found this info, maybe it could help.

Avoid heat. While many muscle aches are best treated with a warm compress or heating pad, heat treatment is not recommended initially for a charley horse. Applying warmth can cause swelling or bring more blood to the muscle, which could increase the likelihood of calcification, adds Dr. Hersh.

Let gravity help. As with any type of leg cramp, encouraging blood flow away from the limbs and toward the heart can bring quicker relief and less throbbing. "Elevate the area you're rubbing, so gravity works with you," suggests Ed Moore, the massage therapist for the 1984 U.S. Olympic Cycling Team.

Take vitamin E and see. For frequent nighttime charley horses, a vitamin supplement may prevent recurrences. "If you get a charley horse at night, usually while you're lying in bed, then it may be a circulatory problem, which can be cured by taking a vitamin E supplement," says Dr. Subotnick. "If you're a woman going through menopause, taking 1,200 international units of vitamin E every day for two weeks will probably end the problem." Prolonged high dosages of vitamin E are not recommended, says Dr. Subotnick. After 14 days, he advises, reduce your vitamin E intake to 400 international units daily. And he says those not going through menopause should start with 600 international units and decrease to 400 international units after two weeks.

Or take more magnesium. If vitamin E doesn't bring relief, then perhaps you need to compensate for a mineral deficiency or hormonal imbalance. "If you get a steady kind of pain, then you probably need more magnesium in your diet, " says Dr. Subotnick. Good sources of magnesium include many kinds of fish (halibut and mackerel are tops), rice bran, tofu and spinach. And next time you have the munchies, try some dried pumpkin seeds: You get a lot of magnesium in a few quick bites.

 

[mdhunter]

I used to get them really bad in high school during baseball season, would get softball-sized muscle bulges in my hamstrings. Tried more bananas and water, I probably hadn't hydrated well enough beforehand when I got them.

Only got a couple out hunting, try to stay well hydrated to prevent, as well as light stretching before bed if the day was hard.

One FYI, bananas are great for providing potassium, I've heard they and other soft fruits do have a tendency to attract mosquitoes tho.

 

[Rock_skipper]

Thanks for the info guys, this is something probably all you should think about with the upcoming hunting season.

 

[rugersbro]

Vinegar

Vinegar

We drink a couple of mouth's full of vinegar.
They go away almost immediately.

Walt

 

[cristancanoe]

I've been reading some on this and was wondering how you guys and gals deal with them when they hit you.

I know it has alot to do with water and potassium, but I was just reading that hot weather can bring these attacks on, not good to be out in the woods when one of these attacks come on.

I had a major one hit my neck last week, and another hit my calf this week. Both have a life span for about 4-5 days, very painful.

From what I read, more gator-aid and bananas, and no beer in the hot weather.

Just wondering if any of you all have had this problem.

This problem probably has something to do with the surgary that I had, but it is still something that people need to be on the lookout for if your going to be out in the woods, or taking part in a foot race.

If you are having frequent spasms, then you most likely have an underlying electrolyte imbalance. Low potassium ,magnesium, calcium, sodium, etc all can cause muscle cramps.
Start taking a good multivitamin daily and be sure to stay hydrated.
If your problem persists, you may consider seeing your doc so they can possibly do blood work and know exactly which electrolytes are out of whack.
And actually home brew beer is supposed to be a great source of vitamins and minerals. Of course drinking too much alcohol can lower your sodium and cause more issues.

 

[COtoAK]

RICE
Rest
Ice
Compress
Elevation
You definitely need to stay hydrated. I personally wouldn't suggest Gatorade because there is a ton of sodium in it. According to this, it's 11g of salt per serving. Whoa!
http://www.thedailyplate.com/nutrition-calories/food/gatorade/thirst-quencher
Have you tried potassium supplements?
I also looked up for you the causes of leg cramps:

• Muscle fatigue
• Heavy exercising
• Dehydration
• High weight (not necessarily obesity)
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Medications (statins, prednisone, others...)

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/sprainsstrains/a/legcramp.htm

Five days seems like a long time for me to heal up from a leg cramp. It's probably more than just a charlie horse.
If this happens again, I'd also suggest seeing a Dr. to determine what exactly is going on.
Let us know how it pans out and what comes from it.
COtoAK

 

[Erik in AK]

Stretching as well.

Not just before doing something strenuous but every day. Especially as we get older.

 

[junkak]

And actually home brew beer is supposed to be a great source of vitamins and minerals. Of course drinking too much alcohol can lower your sodium and cause more issues.

Good thing we made one of these today..

 

[Vince]

I've been reading some on this and was wondering how you guys and gals deal with them when they hit you.

midol works.....




and there is only one reason.. the gals get cramps.....















THEY DESERVE THEM.........................

 

[jarredbehrendt]

Im a personal trainer by trade and I can tell you that when they speak of hot weather they are usually talking about 85+, Im not sure where you are located but the heat usually wont be your problem.

The problem usually lies within hydration, the sodium/ potassium balance makes a difference but is usually not the cause. How much water are you intakeing daily when you are doing your outdoor activities? The next question is how big are you (not implying that you are overweight, just that bigger people need more water than smaller ones)?

For an average man (170-220lbs) to stay hydrated during and outdoor excursion they typically need to intake 1-2 gallons of water daily (no coffee sodas or any other diuretics!). The exact amount depends on how well your body processes water and how much you sweat.

My next question is, are you drinking coffee or soda? Anything with caffine or alcohol is a diuretic and will dehydrate you very rapidly, it is not smart to intake much of these if you are prone to dehydration as well.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me, I have a lot of experience with dehydration as my body had the same problems.

 

[akjw7]

I feel your pain...I get these too from time to time.

Had one in my calf this weekend that lasted minutes and still hurts 3 days later.

Hot weather (had to be 90) + drinking beer + not drinking any water + plus BP meds (diuretic) = some freaked out people watching my calf spasm

not fun in the woods (or anywhere else) just imagine if it happened trying to swim after losing a boat or something

 

[partychief360]

Better than Obamacare

Better than Obamacare

1-2oz. pickle juice will stop the spasm by time it hits your stomach...I don't know why nor do I care, I just know it works every time without fail. There is only so much water I can fit in my pack.

 

[akjw7]

I've heard that one and tried it - doesn't work for me.

 

[Adjusted3]

Having high blood pressure and taking medication for it, including a water pill to boot, lowers one's potassium. I never had the muscle cramp issue until I started my meds. The first 2 months, every morning laying in bed brought on the most severe muscle cramps one could imagine. Doc told me to eat 4 banannas a day or a dish of strawberrys each day. I did that. What we came to realize is that I also drank a pot to a pot and a half of coffee a day which was causing back steps instead of forward gains. I have weened myself off that to a cup in the morning and a cup in the afternoon, 4 bottles of water a day and they went away. Be straight with the doc in describing your habbits and he/she will figure it out.

Mark

 

[akjw7]

Yeah it's kind of the perfect storm right?!?

I usually forget to eat the bananas until they are rotten or I have a bad cramp...I need to do it more regularly.

 

[chinookee2004]

Charlie Horse

Charlie Horse

My Dad use to get them when we were on a hunting trip. He always had vinagar along. It works!