Wanna play doctor?

[Ed W]

It isn't what you think, though I know that some of you have filthy minds!

My blood pressure went up, so the doc changed my meds from a simple vaso-dialator to one with a diuretic.  Yes, I could get a job with the fire department now.  The problem is that dehydration causes extremely painful muscle cramps, particularly in my left leg.  At times, it seems my toes are trying to curl in the wrong direction.

Obviously, staying hydrated is key to prevention, but I'm supposed to avoid sugar and salt as well, so the usual sports drinks are not a good choice.  I drink lots of water already, but would anyone know of a supplement that helps to reduce cramps?  And don't offer vodka as a cheap muscle relaxant.  It increases dehydration and makes the problem worse, though I'll freely admit it's a fun short-term solution. 

[Teatownclown]

What meds? Lipitor?

[RecycleMichael]

I took my news of high blood pressure with a grain of salt.

[guido911]

Pamprin or Midol?

[Red Arrow]

The problem is that dehydration causes extremely painful muscle cramps, particularly in my left leg. 
Obviously, staying hydrated is key to prevention, but I'm supposed to avoid sugar and salt as well, so the usual sports drinks are not a good choice.  I drink lots of water already, but would anyone know of a supplement that helps to reduce cramps?  And don't offer vodka as a cheap muscle relaxant.  It increases dehydration and makes the problem worse, though I'll freely admit it's a fun short-term solution. 

Get checked for potassium levels.  I have had some luck with potassium supplements vs. leg cramps.  I don't know if dehydration is my problem though.

And you are correct about alcohol being a dehydration liquid.  It dries you out and then makes you want more which dries you out even further.

[Ed W]

Pamprin or Midol?

I thought you had a good idea, Guido, so I went to the Pamprin website to look up the ingredients.  Basically, one is naproxen sodium, another is acetaminophen, caffeine, and aspirin.  I already take aspirin twice a day for arthritis pain.

Keeping the lower leg muscles warm seems to help prevent the cramps, too.  I sometimes sleep in sweat pants, but in the summer I put a cyclists leg warmer on that leg when the pain gets bad.  I'll probably sleep like that tonight.

[heironymouspasparagus]

I thought you had a good idea, Guido, so I went to the Pamprin website to look up the ingredients.  Basically, one is naproxen sodium, another is acetaminophen, caffeine, and aspirin.  I already take aspirin twice a day for arthritis pain.

Keeping the lower leg muscles warm seems to help prevent the cramps, too.  I sometimes sleep in sweat pants, but in the summer I put a cyclists leg warmer on that leg when the pain gets bad.  I'll probably sleep like that tonight.

Calcium/Magnesium/Zink with a little Vit D (milk or walking around in the sun for a little bit) seems to help with the leg muscle stuff.  

Watch the naproxen closely for side effects - I was one of those "lucky" ones who can't take that due to bleeding out and going to the hospital while on the stuff.  They said I was about two pints low....felt like it!


Don't it just suck to sit here discussing all these ache and pain issues?  Yeah, it does.

Oh, and how about ice tea for the drinking?  Yeah, I know it is mild diuretic, but then you can just drink a whole lot more water!

[Ed W]

Calcium/Magnesium/Zink with a little Vit D (milk or walking around in the sun for a little bit) seems to help with the leg muscle stuff.  

Watch the naproxen closely for side effects - I was one of those "lucky" ones who can't take that due to bleeding out and going to the hospital while on the stuff.  They said I was about two pints low....felt like it!


Don't it just suck to sit here discussing all these ache and pain issues?  Yeah, it does.

Oh, and how about ice tea for the drinking?  Yeah, I know it is mild diuretic, but then you can just drink a whole lot more water!

I'll try the calcium/magnesium/Zink. The nurse called wanting to make an appointment to discuss some issues with my PSA and cholesterol.  Doc said that losing 10 pounds would help with the blood pressure too, so I'm trying to watch what I eat and drink.  Water is my staple.  I drink it instead of iced tea or soda, partly because it's an easy way to cut calories, and partly because soda and tea are sometimes cloyingly sweet.  And these days, I actually use alcohol for medicinal purposes! 

I'm due for another colonoscopy next year.  I'll try to remember to post some pictures.

Seriously, though, it's important to know about those things that can kill us without revealing symptoms until it's too late.  That includes high blood pressure, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and probably a few more that I can't remember.

[guido911]

I thought you had a good idea, Guido, so I went to the Pamprin website to look up the ingredients.  Basically, one is naproxen sodium, another is acetaminophen, caffeine, and aspirin.  I already take aspirin twice a day for arthritis pain.

Keeping the lower leg muscles warm seems to help prevent the cramps, too.  I sometimes sleep in sweat pants, but in the summer I put a cyclists leg warmer on that leg when the pain gets bad.  I'll probably sleep like that tonight.

Okay, who shot and missed? Midol and Pamprin are cramping meds women take for "that" issue. 

[heironymouspasparagus]

I'll try the calcium/magnesium/Zink. The nurse called wanting to make an appointment to discuss some issues with my PSA and cholesterol.  Doc said that losing 10 pounds would help with the blood pressure too, so I'm trying to watch what I eat and drink.  Water is my staple.  I drink it instead of iced tea or soda, partly because it's an easy way to cut calories, and partly because soda and tea are sometimes cloyingly sweet.  And these days, I actually use alcohol for medicinal purposes! 

Cloyingly sweet tea?  Oh, yuck!!!  I have identified the problem - you are drinking sweet tea!!!!  Yuck!

Did I mention, "Yuck"?

[nathanm]

If you're not sensitive to it, quinine works if you can still get it here. If you are sensitive to it, it can kill you, so there is that.

[Ed W]

If you're not sensitive to it, quinine works if you can still get it here. If you are sensitive to it, it can kill you, so there is that.

I think it was the Brits who discovered that quinine mixed with soda water and a dollop of gin made a passable summer drink.  Hmm...I could claim that gin and tonic were medicinal.

[Conan71]

Check with your doc on electrolyte supplements.  They've got a good balance without a ton of sodium.  Also note that there are quite a few sports drinks without sugar (or sugar substitutes) or all the stimulants.  I believe Gatorade G2 is the one with very low sugar content.  I also use electrolyte tabs from Nuun and Gu in my training which I put in a bottle with water.  No sugar, just the cramp-preventing electrolytes.

[Gaspar]

Ed,
If you are diuresing to the point where you are experiencing muscle cramps, you need to have the doctor put you on a different medication.  There are several to choose from and some simply work better for different people.  If the medication is causing you to retain the lactic acid building up in your muscles (the cause of cramps) then it will likely cause other problems over time, such as gout. Tell your doc about the cramps and ask him if there is another option.  Everyone's body is different and your doc should know that.

Better to treat the problem than look for ways to treat the symptoms.

Stay away from ANSAIDs as that they can cause you to retain fluid in the tissues around the heart.  Also, if you are on statin drugs, make sure you are also taking a CoQ10 supplement.