charlie horse/muscle pain

Mattingly23

two mornings ago I woke up with an excruciating charlie horse in my calf. I managed to quell the charlie horse, but since then my calf has felt really sore/painful when i walk. I've heard this is totally normal, but the pain isn't going away. At what point do I start to worry it could be a blod clot?

hmmmm

huntington79

Not sure about what point to worry - but I have almost had them several nights this week. I've woken up just before and have been able to kind of adjust to keep from cramping. Like you said, it's totally normal - and I have had them before (pre-pregnancy) when they've been so intense that I've been sore for days. I've never heard that it could be a blood clot - but I'm finding out I don't know a lot of things. Hopefully someone else will have words of wisdom to share! Sorry!  

LinnyAnne10

i get charlie horses all the time (pre-pregnancy, and now) and I found that helped me with the after pain - Icy Hot and lots and lots of stretching!

Irishsapphire

The What to Expect When You Are Expecting book says regarding leg cramps:

-When leg cramp strikes, straighten your leg and flex your ankle and toes slowly up

--Stretching exercises can help.  Stand about 2 feet away from a wall and put your palms flat against it.  Lean forward, keeping your heels on the floor.  Hold the stretch 10 seconds, and then relax for 5 seconds.  Try this 3 times. 

-To ease the daily load on legs, put your feet up as often as you can, alternate periords of activity with periods of rest . .. . Flex your feet periodically ( I am not so crazy about the idea of support hose--I am not a grandma).

-Try standing on a cold surface, which can sometimes stop a spasm (burr, I have not tried this --I like standing in front of the heater)

-You can add massage or local heat for added relief, but don't massage or add heat if neither flexing nor cold helps the situation (actually I like to take hydrating lotion and massage my legs--it just feels better after a painful leg cramp).

-Drink eight glasses a day. 

--Eat a well balanced diet that includes plenty of calcium and magnesium.

It says that if the pain is severe and persists, contact your practioner because there is a slight possibility that a blood clot may have developed in a vein, making medical treatment necessary. 

 

teachinbr

I had them often with my first pregnancy.  My OB suggested eating a banana once a day.  She said you can also get a potassium chewable.  Stretching also worked for me. 

Cathie111

teachinbr:

I had them often with my first pregnancy.  My OB suggested eating a banana once a day.  She said you can also get a potassium chewable.  Stretching also worked for me. 

 Yep, bananas are great for this, but also kiwi and potatoes (which both have more potassium than a banana).  

thumper57

I get these and eating bananas and stretching helps.  I recently saw a chiro and told him about my charlie horses. He recommended also drinking a little pedialyte  to help  (yes that stuff for babies)

racegrrl714

charlie horses are often a sign of dehydration. Thats why pedialyte or gatorade/G2/powerade would be recommended. They have the potassium and magnesium electrolytes that your body lacks when its dehydrated. I've found a powerade a day kepps the charliehorses away! ETA: Make sure you are getting at least your 8 glasses of water a day as well.