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Deedlebugs
Blessed
Member since 12/05 10281 total posts
Name: Kiki
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Charlie Horses
Since I was really little, about 3x a week, I get really painful charlie horses. The doctor just used to say "its growing pains" but I think at 29 its safe to say, that is not the reason anymore. Does anyone else have the same problem?? If so, do you have any suggestions? Usually I just take Motrin and then sit in a hot tub but I would really lke if there was another option.
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Posted 11/6/08 11:45 PM |
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waterspout4
My loves
Member since 5/06 19150 total posts
Name: Kelly
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Re: Charlie Horses
Sometimes they can be from dehydration or lack or Potassium. Drinking water and eating bananas usully help prevent mine.
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Posted 11/7/08 7:53 AM |
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DonnaJoe708
Hello
Member since 5/05 4002 total posts
Name:
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Re: Charlie Horses
Posted by waterspout4
Sometimes they can be from dehydration or lack or Potassium. Drinking water and eating bananas usully help prevent mine.
This works for me too! Also, if you feel one starting to come on, try to point and flex your toes...sometimes this helps as well.
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Posted 11/7/08 10:14 AM |
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MrsRivera
2 under 2...whew!!
Member since 2/07 9876 total posts
Name: Beth
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Re: Charlie Horses
Do they tend to come while you're doing something specific? Like sleeping? While I'm sleeping is the ONLY time I ever got them, and one time, DH happened to be in the room when I got a charlie horse and he was able to see what caused it: I used to have a bad habit of stretching my legs while I'd sleep, and that involved pointing my toes. That is what was causing mine. I've actually reprogrammed myself to stretch while flexing my toes. Since then, I hardly ever get them anymore.
I know it seems like a silly response, but I wanted to share what worked for me.
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Posted 11/7/08 11:59 PM |
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JenG
Love my little boy!
Member since 6/05 2489 total posts
Name: Jen
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Re: Charlie Horses
Posted by MrsRivera
I used to have a bad habit of stretching my legs while I'd sleep, and that involved pointing my toes.
this is exactly what happens to me! my cousin told me that if you are sleeping when it happens, you need to jump out of the bed and stand up immediately, they go away in a second, because you are straigntheing out the muscle.
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Posted 11/8/08 12:14 AM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name: me
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Re: Charlie Horses
Do you sleep on your stomach?
Do you wear heels?
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Posted 11/9/08 7:50 AM |
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Deedlebugs
Blessed
Member since 12/05 10281 total posts
Name: Kiki
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Re: Charlie Horses
Posted by smdl
Do you sleep on your stomach?
Do you wear heels?
Yes and yes...
Nothing specific, I could be sitting on my couch watching tv or walking in the mall and they just come out of no where.
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Posted 11/9/08 11:09 AM |
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luvsbob4603
To a healthy 2013
Member since 5/05 21840 total posts
Name: To a brand new year to a healthier me
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Re: Charlie Horses
I get them once in a while myself, You know what helps me, If i stretch my leg back and hold it and than stretch it out forward.. That has helped me i know it sound weird how i do it But it does help.
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Posted 11/9/08 12:04 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name: me
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Re: Charlie Horses
Posted by Deedlebug126
Posted by smdl
Do you sleep on your stomach?
Do you wear heels?
Yes and yes...
Nothing specific, I could be sitting on my couch watching tv or walking in the mall and they just come out of no where.
You are constenstly contracting your calf muscles. You need to give them a rest. By having your toes pointed toward the floor (like a balerina), whether it's in heels or sleeping on your stomach, your toes are constently pointing down and contracting your calves. That's not good!
Either get lower heels once in a while, sleep on your side. Or if you MUST sleep on your stomach put a pillow under your legs (just pass the knee). So your knees are on the mattress but your legs below your knees are slightly raised up so you feet "hang down". Make sure your feet are not just flat on the pillow. Otherwise this is defiting the purpose.
Stretch regularly by pointed your toes towards the ceiling. You can do that right away when you get a cramp (Charlie horse). It should stop it right away. If it does not work, press on the cramp with your thumb. REMEMBER to breath with stretching.
It could also be a sign of dehydration.
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Posted 11/9/08 5:59 PM |
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Deedlebugs
Blessed
Member since 12/05 10281 total posts
Name: Kiki
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Re: Charlie Horses
Posted by smdl
Posted by Deedlebug126
Posted by smdl
Do you sleep on your stomach?
Do you wear heels?
Yes and yes...
Nothing specific, I could be sitting on my couch watching tv or walking in the mall and they just come out of no where.
You are constenstly contracting your calf muscles. You need to give them a rest. By having your toes pointed toward the floor (like a balerina), whether it's in heels or sleeping on your stomach, your toes are constently pointing down and contracting your calves. That's not good!
Either get lower heels once in a while, sleep on your side. Or if you MUST sleep on your stomach put a pillow under your legs (just pass the knee). So your knees are on the mattress but your legs below your knees are slightly raised up so you feet "hang down". Make sure your feet are not just flat on the pillow. Otherwise this is defiting the purpose.
Stretch regularly by pointed your toes towards the ceiling. You can do that right away when you get a cramp (Charlie horse). It should stop it right away. If it does not work, press on the cramp with your thumb. REMEMBER to breath with stretching.
It could also be a sign of dehydration.
Wow thanks. I never thought of it but you are right. When I flex my toes, I feel so much better. My whole life I have slept on my stomach and I used to figure skate till my early 20's so I was always pointing and straining. Its funny because, they say when you're pregnant you get all sorts of leg cramps, but it was the only time in my life I didn't have issues with C.H.'s. I slept on my side and didn't wear heels.!!
Thanks
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Posted 11/9/08 10:18 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name: me
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Re: Charlie Horses
Posted by Deedlebug126
Posted by smdl
Posted by Deedlebug126
Posted by smdl
Do you sleep on your stomach?
Do you wear heels?
Yes and yes...
Nothing specific, I could be sitting on my couch watching tv or walking in the mall and they just come out of no where.
You are constenstly contracting your calf muscles. You need to give them a rest. By having your toes pointed toward the floor (like a balerina), whether it's in heels or sleeping on your stomach, your toes are constently pointing down and contracting your calves. That's not good!
Either get lower heels once in a while, sleep on your side. Or if you MUST sleep on your stomach put a pillow under your legs (just pass the knee). So your knees are on the mattress but your legs below your knees are slightly raised up so you feet "hang down". Make sure your feet are not just flat on the pillow. Otherwise this is defiting the purpose.
Stretch regularly by pointed your toes towards the ceiling. You can do that right away when you get a cramp (Charlie horse). It should stop it right away. If it does not work, press on the cramp with your thumb. REMEMBER to breath with stretching.
It could also be a sign of dehydration.
Wow thanks. I never thought of it but you are right. When I flex my toes, I feel so much better. My whole life I have slept on my stomach and I used to figure skate till my early 20's so I was always pointing and straining. Its funny because, they say when you're pregnant you get all sorts of leg cramps, but it was the only time in my life I didn't have issues with C.H.'s. I slept on my side and didn't wear heels.!!
Thanks
You're welcome!
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Posted 11/10/08 7:08 AM |
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Holly
Prayers to those who need them
Member since 5/05 6631 total posts
Name: Holly
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Re: Charlie Horses
What I have found to work MIRACLES and tonic water b/c it has quinine in it. TI tastes absolutely disgusting, but I usually jump out of bed if i get a charlie horse, take a swig of the tonic and it gows right away!
Sometimes if I have been walking a lot thta day, i would take a swig of it before I go to sleep.
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Posted 11/15/08 11:31 AM |
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