Severe Spasms, muscle cramping

[johnj]

For couple of months now I have been getting some  muscle spasms just about an inch to the side of my belly button. At times VERY painful. I stopped doing any stomache exercise, still happeneing. It has gotten worse. Simple things that use that muscle area like reaching down to put on a sock create spasms and muscle cramps. Today was the worst. Ever get a sever leg cramp? Well it was like that. It started as a spasm when I reached to take off a sock. It was so bad that the spasm turned to a complete muscle cramp and lock up. I really wanted to scream. It lasted about 2-4 minutes, like most cramps, then slowly worked itself out. It is still sore from the contraction. I had an ultrasound done last week, that came back normal. I did have major abdominal surgury in Nov. of 2003, but that was lower, from about an inch below the belly button and downward, and have not had any problems with that area no matter how hard I worked out. The only thing different I do is I took my own advise and started working the legs on a regular basis, something in the past I got lazy with. The Dr. (actually PA called me) said since ultrasound was normal, and I am complaining I should stop exercising for awhile, and if it happens againg go to the ER. Needless to say I will be at the GYM tomorrow, and will work around it. Any feedback (knock Knock Camilo) would be greatly appreciated
P.S. I have been taking calcuim, and Magnesium for some time now. They helped alleviate cramping in my calves.
Thanks

[p.s.]

How's your sodium intake? If your sodium is low then it could be that your electrolytes are out of whack a bit. Also what's your water intake like? If the weather is hot 85+ degrees like it is here right now you NEED more water and probably extra sodium as the excess sweating will flush out sodium as well as other electrolytes thus creating an imbalance and cramping.

[Phil]

Sodium and Potassium.  I started taking a daily potassium supplement (just one a day) and added salt (or soy sauce) to my eggs every morning.  Haven't had cramps since I started that.  Previous, my sodium intake was too erratic to be of any benefit. 

[Camilo]

What type of surgery did you have on 2003?

Sometimes previous surgery can cause bridles.  When you are "cut-open", a surgeon would handle abou 5in up and down your actual scar, so its not uncommon to find that as a cause of stomach pain. 

Could you describe that pain a little more?

Have you taken any medication for the pain at all?

Cheers,

CAmilo

[johnj]

No meds for it, as it will go away if I stop everything, kinda like when you get muscle a cramp. Surgery was for prostate cancer, what they call an RP. Nice to hear from you again, thanks for the reply. I am thinking it is muscle spasms as I have started worked stomach muscles a lot. To top it off I work out doors in the HOT sun, and don't drink nearly enough water. Started taking MORE water , and calcium / mag supp. Symptoms eased off A LOT. Still get troubles though. Ultra sound showed no hernia, that was my initial worry. Other than ordering the Ultra Sound, my Dr. has not given me ANY other feedback other than saying it is not a hernia.

[Camilo]

You should try at least a short anti-inflammatory cycle, unless you have some contraindication (like peptic ulcer, gastritis, allergy).  Something as easy as ibuprofen 400mg/8h for three days could do the trick.  Try to keep you water intake high.  I don't think it has anything to do with electrolytes or you would be cramping other muscles as well.  Take some rest from your ab workout as well, you wouldn't want to over train....

Cheers,


Camilo

[johnj]

Thanks, I will follow the doc's orders FOR sure! Is aleve (naproxen) any good. It seems to work for me on other things.

[Camilo]

Naproxen is even better in my opinion.   250mg every eight would do...

[Jack Tragic]

Be careful when taking a potassium supp., as this has potential to be dangerous...depleating potassium is bad news as well.

[p.s.]

If you've just started back training abs etc and are really hitting 'em hard on a regular basis it could just be a case of that muscle group needing a few days rest to recuperate, and ya drink more water!!

[muscle_n_blood]

In '96 I developed a pleural effusion. No one ever figured out why, but it became infected and became impaeyma (sp?) They went into my left side and did a debridement to suck eveerything out. Made a 5" incision, plus a couple of holes for the drain tubes. My lower left abs were completely numb for 2 years. Most of the feeling came back, but I still can tell the difference when I train abs. You can see a little difference when I'm lean. 

[johnj]

thanks for all the replys. Been doing okay. Was hitting abs with every workout (finished with abs), not drinking nearly enough water. I work outdoors all day in the sun doing 12 hr days, sweating(dehydrating). Laid of the ab work , drinking more (lots) water. Getting much better, not nearly as frequent spasms, actually almost gone.

[Camilo]

Remember abs are just like any other muscle in yur body, and hitting hem on a daily basis can surely cause overtraining, and yes, muscle spasms lol

[p.s.]

thanks for all the replys. Been doing okay. Was hitting abs with every workout (finished with abs), not drinking nearly enough water. I work outdoors all day in the sun doing 12 hr days, sweating(dehydrating). Laid of the ab work , drinking more (lots) water. Getting much better, not nearly as frequent spasms, actually almost gone.

I'm glad you managed to figure this little issue out and now have it under control.

[johnj]

Damn! Started again. No clue why. On the excersize bike, girl next to asked me if I'd mind handing her the magazine that was on the bike's seat to my right, I said  eff off!!...No really I reached over and down toward the seat and BAM! right upper section of my abs cramped REAL bad. It became rock hard in one section bad pain. Just putting my hand on that section I could feel what felt like solid steel. the rest was normal. I have not been doing any ab specific workouts at all for at least a month. Ultra sound was normal. Any clues as to what type of Dr. I should see about this? BTW My abs are not over worked no six pack here.