Cramps - the Non-Movie (NuckNuckNuck Buzzinga!)

[ST.George]

G'day STriders,


Cramps! I know we all get them from time 2 time. But have u had any beauties?


My most memorable one was when I went 2 the movies with my son Andrew, at the nearby uni theatre to see a sci-fi, about 10 years ago. After a big day's DIY work on the house my cramp prone muscles were set on a timer. Maybe I didn't hydrate enough.


Half way thru the movie both my hammies siezed at the exact same time. I couldn't believe it. In my Rugby League days I got the occasional hammy cramp but never both at the same time! So I slid my legs under the seat in front, trying  to control my pain and not create an embarrassing fuss and straightened my legs and massaged the hammies until the intense pain subsided. Andy said "What's  going on?". I said "cramps" and he said "Bugger". So in 15 minutes the cramps went away while I kept my legs str8 for the rest of the movie.

Has anyone else had a cramp that took them by more than the usual surprise?

[Sicman]

  Too many lines and too many moderators in ere so I will pass the baton on 

[Marcus]

Gah...*grabs baton and juggles it from hand to hand and tosses it over shoulder for the next person*

[saaz]

I sure do.  Some cramps have hit me and made me hobble around for a few weeks.  It is just a possible complication of one the medications I have to take. The solution is lots more salt in the diet than for normal people, preferable on chips!  But even that does not work at times.  Funnily enough I have never had it happen on the bike or in the car.

[Biggles]

I've had the odd one in the calf muscles when I throw a leg out of bed in the morning.  Stops one in one's tracks big time.

[nealeray]

Was on a diet once that immediately cut all salt from my diet.  A couple of nights into it, around midnight, I awoke to searing pain up the inside of my leg. bolted upright out of bed screaming, frightened the hell out of the wife, and then tried sideways lunges to try and stretch it out. And, of course, that set the other side off.  All I could do was fall backwards, still screaming. This made the wife laugh which, in turn, had me laughing and screaming at the same time.  Took ages to go away as well.  I had to crawl to the kitchen to take a salt tablet to ease things up a bit.  Never felt pain like it since and dont want to either.

[bloodbikes]

I had cramps in my legs so bad that I was screaming with pain and the only way to ease them was to go for a shower, but because i couldnt get undressed, I had to go in fully dressed, it must have took 30mins + for the pain to subside. You can buy magnesium powder to take orally which helps with circulation problems.

 

[ST.George]

SCARY!
At least if there is someone nearby u can get some relief from massage providing the partner has not  been kicked in the midriff by an involuntary spasm.
The worst 1 ever was, was when I tried 2 get 2 Adelaide with BillSteff and got as far as Balranald and while lying in the tent overnight my left foot threw a cramp, among many others.
However, when straightening the foot out, a cramp on the other side of the foot was triggered and I had 2 find that fine point where both cramps were less and then massaged 2 try and relax both. It was exhausting. [size=78%]Got no sleep that night. [/size][size=78%]That's why I gave up and went home the next day.[/size]

[Wild Rose]

I sometimes get cramps in bed at night mainly in winter. One day I was visiting some friends and got a cramo in my calf
They quickly grabed the vegemite and gave me a spoon full. The cramp were gone in a few minutes . 

[Biggles]

However, when straightening the foot out, a cramp on the other side of the foot was triggered and I had 2 find that fine point where both cramps were less and then massaged 2 try and relax both. It was exhausting. Got no sleep that night. That's why I gave up and went home the next day.

I sometimes get cramps in bed at night mainly in winter. One day I was visiting some friends and got a cramo in my calf
They quickly grabed the vegemite and gave me a spoon full. The cramp were gone in a few minutes . 

Sounds like you need to pack a bottle of Vegemite in the glovebox, George.

[ST.George]

It does doesn't it ... Vegemite is in the kitbag - trouble is I'm on a low sodium regime after the heart attack so the Vegemite  will only b used on those really stinking hot days. 

[ST.George]

G'day STreakers, STriders & STocking-STackers,

Gr8 news on the cramp situation that has been plaguing me for more than a year since acquiring the STeed.

I've mentioned b4 my acute troubles with cramps and the advice given by doctors after the heart attack to avoid medicines that contain magnesium, potassium and sodium in any form of pill or mixture. However in my last visit to the pharmacy the attendant said I should talk 2 the chemist about this advice and after asking about my heart meds and dosages he was absolutely sure that I could safely take cramp medicine that contains magnesium - the most important anti-cramp agent.

So, of course, next time I see a heart doc I will check this again but 4 the time being I'm on the mag tabs and it feels good.

Also, I found this ram-mount cup holder that works really well providing the water container is not too tall, (otherwise the holder seems to tip over too easily and becomes an annoyance). It costs $25 plus postage in Oz and you'll need mounting clamps and brackets. All up about $60 but very solid. I found the perfect matching water bottle with a camel-back style sucking straw in Big-W.









And I just remembered that this place offers a discount of. 10% if u mention it in the order - but I forgot - what a mongrel! I think u need to send them an email with the words "ozSTOC member" or something like that.

[Old Steve]

I'm a type 2 diabetic and wake up every couple of hours through the night with dehydration, mouth as dry as a city pub used to be on a Sunday.

As I get out of bed to take a drink I get cramps as well, I used to place a few grains of salt on my tongue and the cramps would go away immediately.  Now I have a large glass of 1/3 diet tonic 2/3 iced water on the bedside table and as soon as I have a drink my cramps go away.

Don't know if it's the tonic or if it's just the hydration.  I've got to drink the water anyway so the diet tonic makes it taste better with no added sugar.

[atoyot]

The most effective way to take salt is with lots on lemon and Tequila. The most economical way to do it is with a lick block usually reserved for cattle.

[Wild Rose]

The most effective way to take salt is with lots on lemon and Tequila. The most economical way to do it is with a lick block usually reserved for cattle.

 
 

[WendyL]

I get absolutely wicked cramps, they start in the toes and work their way up the top of the foot into the shin, then as soon as I try to stretch, they start in the calf as well.  Happen any time of day, but often wake me up at night. 

Apparently it's a side effect of the high dose asthma meds I'm on, salt tablets and magnesium powder seem to help though.

[ST.George]

Quote from: WendyL on February 14, 2014, 10:57:39 PM<blockquote>I get absolutely wicked cramps, they start in the toes and work their way up the top of the foot into the shin, then as soon as I try to stretch, they start in the calf as well.  Happen any time of day, but often wake me up at night. 

Apparently it's a side effect of the high dose asthma meds I'm on, salt tablets and magnesium powder seem to help though.
</blockquote>



Well u learn something every day - asthma and cramps - did not know they had anything in common coz 1 is 2 do with the respiratory system and the other with muscles - but hey - once medicines get involved the possibilities r infinite and u r living proof that cramps r yet again 1 of all humans' gr8 pains in the RRRs - tho interestingly enough I've never had a cramp in the RRRs!
Just as well coz the mind boggles what would happen if half way thru the obligatory "big p**" one  suffered a posterior cramp - that's almost the definition of dying and going 2 hell. Not being able to finish the job so to speak and having to stand up involuntarily mid p**! Hell's bells!


Xcuse me Wendy, not being disrespectful but just letting my sense of humour get away from me there!


Anyway, back 2 the topic, I'm perpetually amazed how many people have trouble with cramps and when u consider how dangerous it would b 2 have a serious cramp midway thru a winding mountainous curve on a cold wet night in Switzerland on the wrong (abnormal) side of the road with an oncoming truck with high-beam still on and a reindeer blinded by your high-beam stunned str8 in front of u - well it's just SCARY!

[alans1100]

Some mornings I might get a cramp in my lower leg (right usually) after waking up.

I get the impression that my brain thinks that my leg is still straight after I've moved it so I put the leg back where it was and relax it as best as I can until pain goes away and it seems to be ok after that. Of course it happens in that sort half awake stage first thing in the morning but nothing like cramp pain to fully wake you up.

No cramps while I'm on the bike as I'm fairly well relaxed while riding.

[Biggles]

Just as well coz the mind boggles what would happen if half way thru the obligatory "big p**" one  suffered a posterior cramp - that's almost the definition of dying and going 2 hell. Not being able to finish the job so to speak and having to stand up involuntarily mid p**! Hell's bells!
.......
Anyway, back 2 the topic, I'm perpetually amazed how many people have trouble with cramps and when u consider how dangerous it would b 2 have a serious cramp midway thru a winding mountainous curve on a cold wet night in Switzerland on the wrong (abnormal) side of the road with an oncoming truck with high-beam still on and a reindeer blinded by your high-beam stunned str8 in front of u - well it's just SCARY!

Time of posting duly noted:  "02:03:28 AM"   

[ST.George]

Some mornings I might get a cramp in my lower leg (right usually) after waking up.

I get the impression that my brain thinks that my leg is still straight after I've moved it so I put the leg back where it was and relax it as best as I can until pain goes away and it seems to be ok after that. Of course it happens in that sort half awake stage first thing in the morning but nothing like cramp pain to fully wake you up.

No cramps while I'm on the bike as I'm fairly well relaxed while riding.

G'day Allan,

Early morning cramps r interesting coz the body is responding to the brain's request 2 get up and active straight-away but the muscle's chemistry is lacking in salts and can't obey and seizes instead. I think most cramps r caused by bad circulation caused by sitting 2 long or staying 2 long in one position in bed which we have no conscious control over. And of course, as we get older our circulation declines - so what do we do about it? Ride motorbikes or anything else that gets the adrenalin pumping!

It's funny u know when we were kids we had playground and sporting activities that automatically got our adrenalin pumping big time and now we are past our "sporting" days we have  2 organise our own stimulations.

The other gr8 contributor to cramps is nerve damage. A few years ago I pinched my sciatic nerve in my left hip while stretching b4 going 4 a run. It was such a bad pinch that I passed out and my wife called an ambulance. It was 2 weeks b4 I could walk and now that side always gets cramps first and my big toe is hypersensitive and has pin&needles permanently. Just goes 2 show how important your nerves r to your muscular system.

Anyway m8 I won't bother u anymore with this scientific crap - let's keep circulatin' and admire those who have done the ultimate circulation - the gr8 Ozzie Lap.

[saaz]

I used to get some severe cramps, enough to tear the leg muscle enough that I hobbled around for a few days.  Always just hit me in bed while doing nothing (most times!). The pain was not pleasant.  Increasing my salt intake seemed to take care of that for the main.  Interestingly I never get cramps on the bike, and don't feel the need very often to stretch the legs while riding. Anyone who has to deal with cramps has my full sympathy.

[winston66]

              



What is all of this talk about cramps and stuff.
All I know is that when I get frustrated, something tends to harden up, but I have never noticed that that particular mussel hurts. Actually most times I reckon it feels pretty good.

      

Just my 2 cents worth.
Cheers , winston 66

[winston66]

          

      

St Geroge,
Have just read your post and you make a lot of sense.
For me, I have just turned 70 and am really enjoying life , so much so hat I want to stay healthy and keep on riding motorcycles for a long time to come , I actually purchased another ST1300 a few weeks ago so that I could get even more motivated .
Before Christmas i was starting to feel a little jaded and despondent , so I grasped the nettle , so to speak, and enrolled in the local footy clubs Gymnasium at $150,00 for 3 months .
Having made this commitment, ( I do not spend money on frivolous things very easily).
I am happy to say that attendance there is now part of my daily routine, so much so that I have only missed 4 or 5 days in the last 3 months.
I started off with a easy routine and gradually increased the number of repetitions.
My blood pressure has dropped, I dont get puffed when on the treadmill, I can feel my upper body musculature bulking up and the legs are much stronger.
But most important, and I feel so much better in my self. The 250 Klm . ride no longer seems tiring in any way.
I have also shed in excess of 3 Kg. of surplus flab as well as building back some atrophied mussel
I guess the point that i am trying to make is this.
I think that prevention is got to be much better than any cure, so for any one out there that is seeming to have some small problems or difficulties health wise,  If this is applicable,
Please bite the bullet.
 Get off your bum, (when you are not riding your ST that is) and try to get some meaningful sort of exercise.
As an aside in 1998 at t he age of 48. I suffered a major heart attack which nearly finished me. I figured that I could beat it and I was so scared of the knife that apart for a personal fitness routine I did not have any surgery until 1998 when my specialist said that if I did not have a triple bypass, I would be pushing up some daisies in very short order.
I can now truthfully say that I have never been healthier or happier
I believe that for me anyway it suits me to be active and engaged in something physical.
This was my rave for the day, for what it was worth.
cheers to all.
winston66


 

[ST.George]

Very relevant thoughts there Winston. Thanks 4 that. Glad u got over your heart attack so well and that your gym program is making u feel better and happier. I have a complete gym myself and my son, daughter and their friends use it all the time. I do as well when I think of it which is not very often unfortunately. I do a lot of DIY work and that is often strenuous and fun. My heart attack was September 2 years ago and really shocked me coz I was lugging around 80 kg steel posts and removing asbestos on trestles at the time and the heart attack came while preparing breakfast. Plenty of family around then and we got to the hospital without the need of an ambulance.
Your exercise attitude is 2 b admired.
BTW, the other factor that I think is really important is the quality of food eaten. Smaller quantities cooked the French way with butter and fat and natural spices and herbs cooked in a wood fire oven or rotisserie is our usual fare with fast food the last choice. Mind u m8, I can burn enough wood to heat my clay oven and cook a chicken and roast potatoes from start 2 finish in 2 hours - that's pretty fast!
MC riding is a positive thing - keeps me away from the home brew fairly often and you've got 2 b on the ball coz the beaST has got a way of falling over!
Anyway m8 you've proved the quacks wrong - keep up the good habits and I'll try a bit harder 2.
 

[Biggles]

Why is a wood fire better for cooking than electricity or gas, Greg?
I thought the smoke would be potentially harmful.