Cramps/ muscle spasms????

[tomme boy]

Guys, I need some help. For the last 5 months I have been having sleep awakening cramps. They also happen all day long. They are on my right side back about where your last rib would be. It runs from the spine straight around to the front down to the family jewels.

I have been to the DR. 4x's and to an ER once because it was so bad. They have tried 3 types of muscle relaxers so far. Nothing has helped. I had a CT scan to rule out gall bladder and kidney stones or cancer. They took x-rays to look for a cracked rid or if one fragmented and was floating around.

I am getting by on sleeping in the lazyboy a few hours here and there. There is NO way I can lay down. It will be instant spasms.

I have been going to the University of Iowa Hospitals. It is the only low income insurance I can afford. This is driving my crazy, it seems that they don't know what else to try.

Has anyone here ever heard or had anything like this? I need to start asking some different ?'s to them. It is a 90 mile one way drive to just see them. I need any help anyone can offer?

[wch]

never had that particular problem, but there are two things I would suggest:
1.You don't appear to have had an MRI of your spine-if you haven't had one, ask for one.
2. Go to the most recommended chiropractor in your area and ask him if he has any suggestions.
Good luck!

[BRobertson]

When I get muscle cramps, it is ALWAYS because I am not drinking enough water!!

I know this sounds simple, but.......

Bob

[tomme boy]

Drinking plenty of liquids. All the labs come back really good.

I forgot to add that they said that they could try to locate the nerve running to the muscles that are doing this and sever the nerve. Wouldn't that make the muscle not work at all?

[country gent]

Is there any tingling numbness sensations? Poor vision? Balance issues? Talk to the nuerologist possibly ask for an MRI of head neck and orbs to check for lessions a sighn of Multiple Schlrocis. I have spasms in my legs from it. Its something to check and the sooner its diagnosed the better. There are meds that can control it pretty good.

[mold maker]

Man I feel for ya. I woke up in early Feb. with extreme pain in the back, under the bottom rib. Er Doc quickly said kidney stone. It had blocked the ureter and caused infection. It took 45 days and 2 intrusive surgeries to get rid of the problem. I was nauseated the whole time and lost 22 lbs.
The long term loss of sleep and the fear of pain really tears up your nerves.
I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.
Hope you find the cause and get relief quickly.
You'll be in my prayers.

[felix]

Water and electrolytes go together. A complete blood test SHOULD rule any of these complications out. Potassium is a usual culprit, being out of balance with sodium and calcium and magnesium. ALL four must be in HARMONY and the ratio changes with the person and age taken together, because hormones could very well be corrupting the balance. The MRI "pictures" with nerve system analysis are imperatives as well. You need a researcher type doc to interpret this info and give feedback to your local docs. Do an internet search for these research hospitals (docs) in this medical category. Tell your docs who these docs are. ... felix

[BRobertson]

I have a mental block against thinking of MS!!!

My first wife died of MS in her 40's

My step daughter now has the same terrible form of MS!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob

[fouronesix]

Barring other problems conditions- yessir, add my name to the water plus electrolytes (minerals) advice. There may be a balance to be found among the various minerals- kind of a trial and error thing. No matter what the specialists may find or advise and for sure follow their lead-- hydration plus electrolytes won't hurt.

[smokeywolf]

+1 on country gent's suggestion.

I get muscle cramps and spasms often and seemingly easily. Woke up with one in the muscle that runs parallel to the spinal column, right side, below the shoulder blade about a week ago. Its just now starting to relax. Not the first, second, third or fourth time. Muscle relaxants don't work for me either. Its unusual for me not to have a muscle in spasm or a pinched nerve. Like you I sometimes sleep better in the recliner. Have tried all the pain killers from the NSAIDs to the Vicodins. I will suffer enormous pain before resorting to the opiates. Ibuprofen has worked best for me. Especially taking a prescription strength (800 mg.) about 1 1/2 hrs before bed. Drink lots of water with ibuprofen. It's hard on the stomach and kidneys.

Wish I had something more to offer.

smokeywolf

[MtGun44]

Bananas add potassium. The wife gets leg cramps when she is short on potassium.

Try drinking more water and eating a banana or two each day.

Bill

[tinsnips]

The doctor told me to drink GatorAid or PowerAid something in the stuff that is suppose to work better than regular water.Something about eletrolites. Good luck

[square butte]

Electrolytes. Magnesium and potassium supplements. Magnesium taurate is less likely to cause gastric upset (aka the squirts). Google these up. Another tip - How much coffee are you drinking. It will wash electrolytes out of the body

[bob208]

are you on any blood pressure meds? they keep trying to give me benicar. three days of that and i have cramps. i take calaium magnesium pills to stop the cramps.

[deep creek]

Go talk to an acupuntureist ive had some friends that have had amazing results from them .One got hung up on a horse he was training really tore him up and was living on pain killers.after a few treatments hes doing great.hpoe this helps

[41 mag fan]

Drinking plenty of liquids. All the labs come back really good.

I forgot to add that they said that they could try to locate the nerve running to the muscles that are doing this and sever the nerve. Wouldn't that make the muscle not work at all?

Severing the nerve would make it numb 100% of the time.
My ex wife now, had carparl tunnel in her feet, both of them. They went in and took out the nerve that ran into her 3rd toe on each foot. Her 3rd toe from then on was numb, couldn't feel anything in it.
Never heard of carparl tunnel in the feet before then.

[longhorn]

Odd presentation, sounds neurological, maybe myofascial pain to me; is baclofen one of the muscle relaxants they have tried? Loading up on magnesium is worth a try, even "normal" magnesium serum level means nothing in terms of muscle cramping (try mag glycinate or tau rate, not mag sulfate, not mag oxide!). A good massage therapist or even a chiropractor might be helpful; is there an old spinal injury?

[tomme boy]

Tizanidine hci, cyclobenzaprine hci, baclofen. These are the ones they have had me try.

They have me on a few different BP meds as well. Come to think about it, it all started about the same time they added the last one.

lisinopril, amlodipine besylate, simvastatin, atenolol.

[tomme boy]

I have two vertebrates above this area that have degenerative bone spurs. This has not been hurting lately as the pain from the muscles over powers the pain from the spine. I know when the pain from the muscle starts to go away, the spine starts to hurt. The spinal injuries are from a motorcycle accident when a young girl decided to try to park her car on top of me. This was when I was 16.

[dbosman]

Pain in the back working around the right side towards the Urethra is classic kidney stone description.
Unfortunately it's also a symptom of Diverticulitis.
The first can be checked with a X-Ray after you drink a not so terrible contrast solution. The second requires a cleansing and an 18" bore scope.

[Duckiller]

I have leg cramps that are unbelieveablely painful. Dr. gave medecine that helps and works fast. He also suggest Quinine. Evidently pills are no longer available, state laws may vary, or Quinine water, ie tonic. You may or may not want to add gin to your tonic water.

[abunaitoo]

I think I used to have the same thing you have.
Was so bad, I almost couldn't drive.
It would hit anytime of the day or night.
When it did, I almost couldn't breath. Back just locked up.
Nothing helped. Drugs, physical therapy, acupuncture, even those glass suction ball things.
Doctors were no help at all.
When I changed jobs, it went away.
Stresssssss
Are you under more stress than before????
Doctors won't even consider stress as a cause.

[gandydancer]

have you been on any long term meds?? drink a lot of diet soda??

[firefly1957]

With a sudden on set like that a doctor is a good choice to see, I have had cramps my whole life a doctor told me when i was about 30 years old to take a daily calcium supplement it helps a lot. I still get them if i get dehydrated high sugar levels can cause them also but a good doctor would have checked that.

[gunoil]

tonic water, yep. Go get it now. I have em to on right lower leg and they last exactly 1 min. Didnt start till a few years ago, whats that about. Have nother blood test next week from my doc. Last month when i renewed my class A, nurse said sugar was lil' high. So, yesterday, doc ordered blood test of some nature. I give em blood 3 or 4 times a year. My doc is a wizard, wish he was a gunsmith. Nah, i might die.

[tomme boy]

I also have type 2 diabetes. I do drink a lot of diet pop. I asked about aspartame poisoning, but never got a answer. I had a talk with a retired nurse friend an he was thinking it might be a caffeine overdose. He thinks that since we are not getting any younger, it takes a lot longer for your body to get rid of it. I have 5-6 diet Cokes every day. I don't drink coffee.

Monday I'm calling out to the University and see if I can get into someone else.

[Swamp Man]

Have you been tested for R.A. ? I have a bad case of R.A. and use to have bad leg and hip cramps until I got put on a new med a few years back that has my R.A. under control.

[Oreo]

For electrolytes drink Pedialyte. Its meant for young children who can quickly become dangerously dehydrated from diarea. A sports drink it ain't. Sold in the child care isle of most grocery stores.

[quilbilly]

When I get muscle cramps, it is ALWAYS because I am not drinking enough water!!

I know this sounds simple, but.......

Bob I had the same problem. I would wake up with cramps that wouldn't go away for days and even made it hard to breath. It was always due to dehydration. Once I was forced to drink lots of water due to blood pressure meds (diuretics), no more cramps. Drink a full pint of warm water every morning as soon as you get up and at mid-day and see if that helps.

[uscra112]

Had constant neck cramps a few years ago. So badly that I was missing work. No doctor could do anything, ditto chiropractors, but for some reason drinking a lot of tomato juice stopped it.

Doctors haven't a clue how/why it might work, but now whenever I get cramps I drink 8 oz. of V-8 juice every 4-6 hours and they go away.

I'm not one for "magic potion" cures, never been kidnapped by aliens, and I believe Elvis really is dead. But it works for me. Can't hurt you.

I'm also an advanced Type 2, taking a lot of meds for it, also very strict low-carb diet. Don't know if it's related to the diabetes meds, but Aspartame now gives me killer headaches. Only artificial sweetener I survive is Sweet Leaf, (stevia extract). (Not Truvia, which is mostly aspartame!)

[Gliden07]

Bananas add potassium. The wife gets leg cramps when she is short on potassium.

Try drinking more water and eating a banana or two each day.

Bill

When I was doing a lot of weight lifting I would get Muscle Cramps that would wake me up!! I talked to a trainer and he suggested more water and Bananas for the potassium within 15 min of the end of my workout. It did the trick for me? It sounds like you have nerve problems though? My mother has similar pains to what your describing and has been diagnosed with Sciatica.

[dagunnut]

There are several possible causes for these issues. Some are easily fixed and some require medical intervention.

Dehydration, over hydration, potasium shortage, salt shortage, vitamin shortage, kidney stones, gall stones, caffeine overdose, check for medicine contra-indications or reactions to multiple meds, MS, brain and spine issues-hemmorages, lesions, tumors, spinal compresion, nerve impingment/damage, and many many more.

Start with the simple things first and work your way up from there, I would personally look at the meds for side effects or drug interactions, and talk to your pharmacist. At the same time decrease your soda intake and get salt/sodium and potasium intake increased, start a multi-vitamin regiment.

What was the onset, what changed-medications, did you lift something heavy, stoop or twist, lift off center, did you have a fall, suffer a head injury, suffer a spine injury, spend a lot of time on your feet, drink more or less water, coffee, soda, did your diet change, do you have an unquenchable thirst. What kind of pain are you having sharp, stabbing, throbbing, shooting, constricting like someone is squeezing you, or dull. Does the pain move migrate to other areas, is the pain constant, is there a time in the day that the pain is worse, what positions give you comfort. These are the questions that your doctor and nurses should be asking you.

Get a good doctor, check your lab work up-blood, urine, etc., did you have an x-ray, MRI, stress test, nerve conduction study, get a second and third opinion, and see a chiropractor. Not necessarily in that order.

I wish you the best, and hope your pain goes away or you find a simple solution. I am not a medical professional but was at one time an EMT, first responder, and combat life saver. I have some medical knowledge but do not know everything. I just hope that some of this input helps you out.

Mario
dagunnut

[square butte]

Tons and tons of anecdotal evidence out there regarding negative effects of aspartame. Start with a simple google search and see if any of what you see makes sense to you. If it does - Drop the diet soda. Simple and cheap try at a fix. What do you have to loose?

[bob208]

i have type 2 also. i dropped the diet soda about 3 years ago. now all i sweeten with is stevia. it is a plant all natural. instead of soda i drink sobe life water and zero cal. vitamin water.

[walltube]

Pain in the back working around the right side towards the Urethra is classic kidney stone description.
Unfortunately it's also a symptom of Diverticulitis.
The first can be checked with a X-Ray after you drink a not so terrible contrast solution. The second requires a cleansing and an 18" bore scope.

tommeboy,
Given the symptoms you describe and your drinking those Cola\soft drink\pop stuff, I agree with BOSMAN's "stones" offering here. Been there often enough to offer an experienced opinion. Calcium carbonate 'stones' can often escape detection by x-ray and MRI.

The stones need not be walnut size in making their presence known as they make their way out the bladder to the urethra. Most are very tiny, but with jagged, sharp surfaces. Minute traces of blood in the urine are the telltale. Perhaps a consultaion with a urologist may be in order? In my humble opinion.

Wishing you well and a speedy recovery,
Wt.

[uscra112]

{snip} nerve conduction study....{snip} dagunnut

Nerve conduction testing would be an excellent way to interrogate prisoners. I know.

Trouble with doctors is that they don't know everything either. Not being harsh on them - they're only human. But as I said in my earlier post, I had those cramps for a couple of years. While I lived where there were excellent doctors, (Ann Arbor, MI.), all they accomplished was to drain a lot of money out of my insurance plan. In the end a fellow sufferer on the Internet gave me what seems to be the fix.

Phil

[abunaitoo]

Lots of great suggestions here. To bad one dosen't fit all.
Soft drinks are bad for you the older you get.
I almost never drink soft drinks anymore. Maybe one every two weeks.
Ice water all through the day. Got one of those big 54oz Bubba Mugs. I drink at least three mugs a day.
Due to gout, I don't drink coffee anymore. Anything with caffeine is out also.
Caffeine will dehydrate you.
Most common cause of cramps is dehydration. I've also found long term stress can do it to.
If you stand up almost all day, it could be your shoes.
I have flat, wide feet. Hard to find shoes that fit.
Hard to find a good, honest doctor. Money corrupts even the best of them.
Keep looking for one who will actually listen to you.
Keep trying different things. Everyone is different.
Good luck to you.

[Boyscout]

I second the supplements as I have suffered severe cramps in my calfs since college. I find 1-3 suplemental Potassium Glucomate tablets help a lot. That is only 3% of daily recommended daily requriement per tablet. Bananas and orange juice are good for you but they are inconsistant in their levels due due variations in growing conditions.

I asked my electro-cardiologist if it was ok to take them as there are warnings all over the bottles. He said they are worried about people who like to take mega-doses of vitamins; extreme potasium intake can stop your heart forever. High calcium foods will help too. Sometimes I get a little warning that I will be getting cramps later. Usually some twitching or some spasms in my fingers. If a little potassium and proper hydration don't work get checked out with your doctor.

[monge]

I have had the same problem try more water and Gatorade remember the body reacts slowly give it some time before you go to saw bones and he or she gives you another script. God bless feel better! JOE

[longhorn]

Which " blood pressure" med was added last? Side effect or interaction could be the culprit, seems a bit unlikely, but worth looking into--PM me if you like....

[MT Gianni]

High School wrestling coach made sure that any of us loosing weight had enough bananas, milk and salt. Potassium, calcium and chlorides and your body's electrical system works better.

[snuffy]

I'm a firm believer of chiropractic treatments. I started going to one in 1971, have been going to one ever since. If not for a chiropractor, I would have had some kind of surgery in several places on my spine.

Tomme, you have a pinched nerve, plain and simple. No amount of pills, supplements, or exercise will do a thing to help. Until that nerve is freed/decompressed, you will have no relief.

I would ask around,(as someone else said), for every body's recommendation for a good chiropractic doc. Some of them can be quacks! That's why you ask for references. A good one will tell you if he can help. By that I mean good and HONEST one!

You've had an accident that caused bone spurs that are pressing on a nerve. Surgery MAY be the only answer to stop it.

Same scenario for me, I was badly injured in an auto crash in 1968. It only took 3 years for the problems to manifest themselves. A knee injury along with an untreated whiplash caused damage still present today. I have 6 degenerating discs, 3 in my neck and 3 in my lower back. My chiropractor keeps the vertebrae moving, so far so good. But eventually I will have to have some fusing to prevent the pains I have if I DON'T go regularly to my C. doc.

[375RUGER]

I also have type 2 diabetes. I do drink a lot of diet pop. I asked about aspartame poisoning, but never got a answer. I had a talk with a retired nurse friend an he was thinking it might be a caffeine overdose. He thinks that since we are not getting any younger, it takes a lot longer for your body to get rid of it. I have 5-6 diet Cokes every day. I don't drink coffee.

Monday I'm calling out to the University and see if I can get into someone else.

You may do well to eliminate the diet sodas for a while and see what happens. don't quit the caffeine cold turkey or you'll get withdrawl, taper it off over a few days.
You know your body better than any doctor. You won't find many M.Ds that will tell you that the aspertame is bad for you, they thrive on repeat business. Think about it, earlier you mentioned all the muscle relaxers you've taken and they don't help. Do you think the doctor really cares if he won't try finding something that at least give you a little relief so you can rest?

I really doubt you are overdosing on caffeine, but I don't doubt that you might be experiencing an allergic reaction to it. Eliminate all artificial sweeteners and the caffeine and see how you feel in 2 weeks.

[Blacksmith]

tommeboy,

For some relief, not a cure, go to the farm supply store and get a bottle of Absorbine® Veterinary Liniment it works for muscle pain, cramps, arthritis and similar problems. It comes as a liquid or a gel same stuff. Try it it may help, horse owners have been doing it forever. Another brand that works and doesn't smell as bad is Sore No More.

This is what to look for:
http://www.absorbine.com/products/muscle-care

[sparkz]

I turned 50 and that same thing happends to me still for 3+ years been to a fistfull of Drs and have taken tons of water, eat Bannas, and started to take a viadamen sup. Potassium,,, was told to stop that and still Crazy cramps that would bring tears to your eyes and do sometimes, these are not like swimming cramps ya got as a kid there Heavy duty ones,, so Dr had Given me Valuem to take at night and guess what
? WORKS Great!! I dont take them everynight as i forget and not big on takin stuff but they do work


I got them in, feet, legs, gut, sides of chest, but leg and calf have to be the worst ya wake to leg on fire and try to stand to work it out... NO WAY, just have to suffer thu it till its past,, really sux..
I have asked, my oncolagest, pumolagest, Pallitive care team, and cartio drs and primary care Drs,
big Nutin, they had guessed At maybe its 02 saturation, as I use 02 at night for a COPD deal,
so the hunts on but nut-in so far..

I take blood thinners and a host of meds for old people,, lol Had I known I would live this long I would had taken better care of me,, but then at 18 ya cut an arm off and grow a new one in a week so back them 50+ looked so far away,, hahaha

but might ask DR for a few of those valum just for worst times,, sorta a last resort pack..

I worry about them still, but damn Drs can not find our whats wit da whats as of yet,,


Il be watching this thread for answers so I might ask questions too


Patrick

[scarry scarney]

I too was suffering cramps in hands, legs and side of chest. Yes I drink too much coffee. I try to drink lots of water and gatoraid, but I have found out if I take at least 500mg of magnesium a day, no cramps. No I'm not a Dr, and it might not work for you. And as previously reported, all magnesium is the same

[smokeywolf]

5 years ago I ruptured a disc in by lower back. It causes my vertebrae to pinch the sciatic nerve bundle that goes down my left leg. The peroneal and tibial nerves are most effected. These are the nerves that trigger most of the muscles in the calf and foot. My calf muscle has been in a constant state of flexure for all this time.
Muscle relaxants are ineffective, Ibuprofen helps, but massage and acupressure give the most relief. My wife massages my lower back and left calf at least once and sometimes as many as 3 times a day. She also knows where to press to cut off the signals to or from my calf. When your in constant pain, just getting a half hour to an hour of relief each day makes all the difference in the world.

As is inferred in the Bible, the laying on of caring hands can have a quite profound healing effect.

smokeywolf

[skeet1]

I think that before I let anyone cut any nerves in my back I would try a chiropractor. I have terrible muscle spasms in my back on occasion and until I used a chiropractor nothing helped. The doctors gave me pills but that only made it bearable. and didn't shorten the episode of spasms any. I was always fearful of chiropractors till I tried one when I was desperate for relief. Now when my back acts up that is the first place I go.

Ken

[firefly1957]

Aspartame breaks down to methanol in the body causing different problems for different people it takes a small amount for me to get a headache.

[mpbarry1]

i get terrible ....tears in my eyes ...leg cramps from time to time. I think it is the beta blocker i take for bp. diet soda is definately a contributor to these! i try to eat a banana a day, and when i know I am dehydrated I go to the secret weapon. it's tonic water! drink a full glass before bed. it will help. Gin is optional...