Charlie Horse

[Ohiocat]

What is the best thing to do when you get a Charlie Horse in your leg?   Last night I got a fairly intense Charlie Horse in my left leg, and it was became so intense that I had to scream out loud.  Of course, confusing the cats who had no clue what was going on.  (At least there is no one else in my house to wake up).  It did ease off, though this morning that part of the leg still aches a bit.

For those who may not know what a charlie horse is,  it is an intense pain in the lower part of the leg.  In that muscle (?) between the ankle and the knee, on the back of your leg.  Beyond know what it feels like to have one, I have no idea what causes them.   

[Poochie]

OC,
Did you put heat on this muscle?  I always hit the bathroom for a hand towel.  I run hot water on it (as hot as I can stand), then wring it out. I wrap this around my leg until the muscle really relaxes.  This keeps the muscle from being so sore the next day.

Since I've been taking a potassim supplement, I haven't had a truley good one lately.  I'm hoping I never do.  They can really hurt like heck!

Banana's also seem like a good way to get extra potassium.

Pooh

[kimbo]

Hey cat,

When you are laying flat on your back, legs straight with back, bend your foot and point toe toward your body thus stretching the calves muscle out.

The only time I had calves cramp was in pregnancy and this seemed to stretch the cramp away. Our Lamaze teacher taught that during birth training.

kimbo

[Ohiocat]

I will have to give both of those ideas a try.

But i must say when the cramp came on last nigt i could barely move.....Can't imagine walking to the bathroom.
But if the heat would have helped afterwards, I definitely need to try it.

And maybe I should start eating bananas,  I like them, just having had many recently.

[lynnmarie219]

Both Kimbo and Pooh gave good suggestions to you already and yes low potassium can be a definite cause...but in my case I get terrible leg cramps when my thyroid levels get higher. Do you have any thyroid issues? When my synthroid is increased...it takes care of the terrible cramping! This has been the case on two occasions for me and the cause of my last 2 med increases.

Just another thought off the top of my head....hope you get some relief as I know how very painful they can be!

[Ohiocat]

I have no thyroid any more.  It was removed back in 06-2007.  Due to the size of the several nodules i had, they recommended I get it removed since the needle biopsy could only say so much.  Turn out no cancer in it when they full tested the thyroid after it was removed.

Last blood test I had (I get them yearly to verify meds are okay), did not show any issues with my medicine that I take daily.  (And have not missed any pills recently).   Its been about 6 months since I had that checked.

Just noticed I did not type very good in my last reply.   I like bananas but have not had many recently.  So maybe increasing my banana intact might help.    And I will definitely try the stretching next time it happens; and as soon as I can walk....try the heat.   

At the time, I just did not know what to try.  I have had them on raw occasions in the past, but this one seem so much more intense last night.

[susanep]

My dad has these often. I have had them too. Not Fun! I remember years ago when my son was a teen and had a water bed. Full Motion. I decided to try it out one night, and woke up with a Charley Horse. I was trying to get to my feet, and screaming as the water kept pushing me back down. It wasn't funny then, but it is now. 

susanep

[kathyl]

I agree with the above, flex your foot, eat bananas.  I was getting leg cramps at night like I did in pregnancy.  I would have to sit up and grab the ball of my foot to flex it back. Then I actually had to start wearing a boot to bed at night that does not allow me to point my foot.  It keeps my foot flexed all night and I have no more pain at night.  It is only one leg fortunately.  It might be hard to wear two boots and sleep. I wear the boot on my right leg and a brace on my right hand at night.  It is so attractive.
KL

[Ohiocat]

I had another intense Charlie Horse last night.   And could not think of any of the advise in this thread while it was happening.   Just laid there and screAamed and cryed.   I thought of this thread but  could not think of any of the advise,    sigh.        And it hurt too much to walk to where the computer was.

The only funny thing is that I had been to the grocery yesterday and thought -  gee its been a while since I had some bananas, so I got a couple.   So now this morning, with an aching leg, I am eating a banana.     My timing just seems to be a bit off.   Guess I should have eaten one yesterday.

[Nans]

I get out of bed and stand while massaging my calf - the cramp goes away pretty quickly.  Then I get back into bed and do what Kimbo suggested - stretch the calf muscle by bending the foot back towards the body.

[RobinBat]

I have had these also, I try to eat bananas but can't really say it happens only when not eating them...someone also told me quinine water(it's in tonic water) would help too. In the summer I will drink that sometimes with a slice of lime. Refreshing and maybe helping??? I have not found much helps right at the time of cramp, if you can stand up (sometimes I can't) sort of flex your foot by pushing down on toes/standing on tiptoe, It flexes foot ....sometimes that helps me...Good luck!

[Dolly Dimples]

    When I get cramp in the calf, I stretch my whole leg out straight  in the air,

               keeping the leg straight. push the whole foot forwards to yourself,

                   You will feel the calf tightening too,rather painfully, but then the cramp goes Always works quick with me...! 
                                                                                                                          Dolly

[Pisces24]

I wanted to mention that not exercising those musles can cause it too.
I have a sit down all day type job. I started this year having problems with sore back muscles and "charley horses". I've been getting up from my desk every couple hours and stretch for a minute. I am lucky that we have a small exercise gym at work with a bunch of treadmills. I've been going to work a bit early and walking on them for 5 minutes. I know it doesn't sound like much but it has really helped.

Good Luck!

[susanep]

My dad and I both when we have the really bad ones like you are talking about always have to stand up if in bed even though it hurts and massage that muscle while we stand on it.  It always goes away then to then treat it or continue with massaging.

Some people say a magnesium pill helps also. I think they have helped me.

susanep

[Jeri]

Do anyone get them in their feet and toes,also arms and finger? I do but not frequently. The finger can be seen to be bent at an odd angle and then just goes away.