Charlie Horse

[laneela]

So I'm told I have a charlie horse, whatever the hell that may be. Three mornings ago, I woke up with a terrible cramp in my calf - I get them while I'm sleeping but usually just stretch out my leg and it gets better. It didn't get better that morning with some stretching, but I was able to go through the day fairly normally, though it hurt to walk with heels. Yesterday, I wake up and it's worse. I couldn't walk without limping and whimpering like a child. Today, it's worse still.

My question to you: what the hell is a charlie horse and how do I get rid of it? I've gotten several suggestions, all of which have been followed. I've rested my leg, I've stretched it, I've both heated it and wrapped it up with ice. I've eaten a half dozen bananas (someone said potassium) and have eaten plenty of protein. Nothing is helping and I'm not a big fan of being an invalid. Does anyone have any other suggestion?

Please and thanks.

[Zaelath]

Yeah, see a freaking doctor. You might have DVT or some other equally dangerous circulatory problem. Cramps aren't supposed to last days.

[laneela]

Thanks, Zae... Unfortunately, this is a holiday weekend and my doctor will be out til Tuesday (omfg, til tuesday, get it?!). If it isn't better by then, I'll be sure to pay him a visit.

[Demags]

Make sure your well hydrated as well, the only times I got those horrible calf cramps was when I let myself get dehydrated doing some attic work.

I feel for you, those things are killer. I had a golfball size lump in my calf for a couple days afterwards, and you'll be more susceptible to another one for a few days as well.

[Boogahz]

Thanks, Zae... Unfortunately, this is a holiday weekend and my doctor will be out til Tuesday (omfg, til tuesday, get it?!). If it isn't better by then, I'll be sure to pay him a visit.

What holiday is your doctor celebrating?

[Al]

Well, today is Women's Equality Day here in the US. I had to look it up on the web, because I certainly had to work today, but I am also only making $34k a year. I'd be willing to bet your doctor is making several times that, and if I were making several times that I would take every excuse to have a holiday. Here's to equal rights for women! *cheers*

[Drinsic Darkwood]

Well where's my damn Men's Equality Day? Shit's supposed to be equal, right?

(On a serious note, when did this start? I've never heard of it.)

[Neost]

The only other surefire way to avoid cramps is to prevent them: first, by avoiding the combination of severe stress and unfamiliar movements; and second, by doing a thorough warm-up, stretching, and gradually increasing the intensity of your workouts. All these measures contribute towards optimal coordination. Nutrition Nutrition also plays an important role. The body needs sufficient amounts of calcium and magnesium to support optimal muscular function. Because the body cannot manufacture these two minerals, it must be supplied with them in foods and beverages. An inadequate supply of calcium and magnesium can lead to problems with muscular coordination

[Morgrym]

A "Charlie Horse" (Cramp) does not persist for that long. I highly suggest you see a MD. ASAP! If you are forced by insurance reasons to see your doctor that is afk until Tues. Call your carrier and tell them you need to be seen now and make them find someone for you to see. If your leg is changing color or swelling, don't wait for an appointment..get your ass to an ER.

[Neziroth]

We used to give eachother charlie horses in elementary school and middle school by punching eachother in the leg heh, if it feels even remotely like that and has been going on for days I feel for ya.

[laneela]

Thanks guys. Don't make fun of me but I thought this was labour day weekend. I don't have a normal work schedule so holidays don't mean anything to me. Yes, yes. I have a calendar. But for me, every day is a holiday so I have no use for it! =P

I'll be going to the doctor tomorrow. Thanks again!

[Zaelath]

1) Americans don't know what labour is, do they?
2) I'm sure Morg and I were just trying to impress that persistent pain isn't something to ignore...

[Dregor Thule]

Sooo... vhat vas eet?!

[Neziroth]

I'll bet my left shoe that it was a spider that bit you in the leg while you were asleep, crawled in and laid about 3000 eggs which hatched all at the same time causing a feeling of pressure against the muscle.

They probably got into your veins and are nesting in your heart and lungs now, more likely the lungs than the heart I'd think.

Do you feel a rattling feeling when you take a deep breath in?

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

I'll bet my left shoe that it was a spider that bit you in the leg while you were asleep, crawled in and laid about 3000 eggs which hatched all at the same time causing a feeling of pressure against the muscle.

They probably got into your veins and are nesting in your heart and lungs now, more likely the lungs than the heart I'd think.

Do you feel a rattling feeling when you take a deep breath in?

You are a cruel bastard. I'm feeling anxious after reading that, and I'm not the one with cramps.

[Leonaerd]

Yeah very vivid there Nez.

[Spang]

Shouldn't you be running over raccoons?

[Leonaerd]

I will next time I see one. If I get points with a back tire too I'll lean out the window and say "That last one was from Spang."

Oh yeah, and forget the fact that people accidentally run over harmless animals in their SUVs every day. Don't get angry at them. At least they ended the animals' lives on accident while barreling through the day in their Suburban Subdivisions (to quote Dave Barry).

[Al]

1) Americans don't know what labour is, do they?
2) I'm sure Morg and I were just trying to impress that persistent pain isn't something to ignore...

Hmm... A recent UN study showed that Americans (more specific: United States workers) are more productive than anyone else in the entire world, and not just by an inch but by several yards.


http://www.buffalonews.com/nationalworl ... 54153.html

The average U.S. worker produces $63,885 of wealth per year, more than their counterparts in all other countries, the International Labor Organization said in its report. Ireland comes in second at $55,986, followed by Luxembourg at $55,641, Belgium at $55,235 and France at $54,609.

The U.S. employee put in an average 1,804 hours of work in 2006, the report said. That compared with 1,407.1 hours for the Norwegian worker and 1,564.4 for the French.

It pales, however, in comparison with the annual hours worked per person in Asia, where seven economies — South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Thailand — surpassed 2,200 average hours per worker. But those countries had lower productivity rates.

It must be all those illegal immigrants stealing our jobs.

[Boogahz]

1) Americans don't know what labour is, do they?
2) I'm sure Morg and I were just trying to impress that persistent pain isn't something to ignore...

Hmm... A recent UN study showed that Americans (more specific: United States workers) are more productive than anyone else in the entire world, and not just by an inch but by several yards.


http://www.buffalonews.com/nationalworl ... 54153.html

The average U.S. worker produces $63,885 of wealth per year, more than their counterparts in all other countries, the International Labor Organization said in its report. Ireland comes in second at $55,986, followed by Luxembourg at $55,641, Belgium at $55,235 and France at $54,609.

The U.S. employee put in an average 1,804 hours of work in 2006, the report said. That compared with 1,407.1 hours for the Norwegian worker and 1,564.4 for the French.

It pales, however, in comparison with the annual hours worked per person in Asia, where seven economies — South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Thailand — surpassed 2,200 average hours per worker. But those countries had lower productivity rates.

It must be all those illegal immigrants stealing our jobs.

or it could just be labour vs labor

[Zaelath]

or it could just be labour vs labor

lol, yup.

[laneela]

So I never ended up going to the doctor. I made an appointment and by the time the day came around for it, the pain had gone. I aggravated whatever it is again by going back to wearing heels and picking up my friend's 50 lb child and toting him around everywhere. I'm pretty sure it's just a muscle thing, but I have another doctor's appointment tomorrow just to be certain (which is a feat for me, because my usual MO would be to not go to the doctor until it's green and falling off). Either way, thanks to anyone who had constructive suggestions.