12 replies to this topic

[Happycat]

Hi, I've been having more spasm issues in my hands and feet of late.  Last week, I had to sit in a parking lot with the kids for about 25 min waiting for the foot spasms to stop so I could continue driving.  I tried the old "pinched lip" trick that always works well with charlie horses, but these Gleevec-spasms are impervious to acupressure, it seems.  I'm already taking magnesium oxide for the spasms, and have been upping my calcium intake the last few days.

Are there any tips you can share to stop a spasm once it starts?

Thanks,

Traci

[Trey]

1) Act very quickly to reverse the cramp.  The longer it stays in the cramped mode, the more it will re-cramp, and the longer it takes to get back to normal.

2) Foot and toe cramps are relieved best by standing.  Pressure on the bottom of the foot helps relieve the cramping faster.

[Susan61]

That is exactly what I do when I get them.  I have had to pull over, and walk on the spasmed foot before I could drive any further.  I have gotten them in my hands, and I think they are more painful than the foot and toe.  I just keep massaging the hand even if it hurts well I am doing it, and I finally get relief.

If I am home I put a ice pack under my foot or on my hand.  I have gotten them during the night, and had to get up fast and go stand on the cold tile bathroom floor to get relief.  The worse ones are on the inside of the calf on the leg, they take the longest to uncramp.

[GerryL]

Hi Traci,

I was getting spasms in my legs, very painful, luckily only happened when I just woke up and did an initial stretch. Whilst trialing celery seed for fluid retention, I found it helped with the spasms. I mentioned it to my specialist, he has no issues with me taking supplements and I also moved on to MMR whilst taking it, so had no issues with the Gleevec.

I find I only need to take one tablet a day and I don't suffer from spasms anymore.

Gerry

[lala]

Omgosh...I had one two weeks ago during the middle of the night....I stood up so to put weight on it AND fell to the ground with a big thud!!!!  The cramped leg wouldn't hold any weight!  MAN, those things hurt!  I think I will look into the celery seed option.  Those hand cramps sure hurt too!  Lala

[everonward]

I get these frequently and as Trey says walking/standing seems to work best for the ones in the foot. Not suggesting one wlaks on ones hands. The ones in my hands - usually the middle finger I just pull against teh cramp holding the finger straight.

[PhilB]

I knew about quinine being good for the cramps, but celery salt is a new one to me.  Interesting...

Given that the most common way to consume quinine is a gin and tonic and the most common way to take celery seed would probably be as celery salt in a Bloody Mary, where do I sign up for the clinical trial?  I don't mind which arm I'm randomised to!

Phil

[simone4]

Happycat, my ballet teacher taught me as a child that when cramping

occured in bed, put the foot on the floor at once with the toes pressed

down on the floor first and then press the heel on the floor afterwards.

This has worked for me my entire life.

Take care.

Simone

[GerryL]

Hi Phil,

Not sure about the celery salt - I've only had celery seed, tend to try to stay away from anything that mentions salt due to the fluid retention.

[Susan61]

Hi:  I agree with staying away from salt.  I wonder if just eating regular celery would help.  I do not cook with salt or salt my food because of my water retention and blood pressure problems.  I just do what I posted, and it seems to help.  If you feel the leg is weak, then do not just stand on it.  Lean on something when you step on it.  If I get it well in bed, I just lean on my dresser and wall until I get my footing to walk down the hall.

[cousineg]

See Muscle cramping