Wellness

[hckynutjohn]

@gloriajean 

I am happy to hear your husband is so far having no side effects. I hope this continues for him without any problems. Glad to hear something I shared helped both of you.

Sharing my experiences with you is rewarding to me, if it helps only 1 person on this forum. I know I ramble on, but to me these things can be very important to some.

My best wishes to both your husband. 🙏

hckynut  🇺🇸

[Growing]

Wanted to mention that I have been using an over the counter magnesium cream that is absolutely the best thing for cramps and muscle pain I have ever found. It is called Theraworxx. Found at drugstores or on Amazon. This cream works like a charm for me, even eliminates the fibromyalgia like pains I get in my thighs (I am not diagnosed as my blood work is always great). I have tried epsom salt baths and they no longer work. I get calf muscle cramps when I have intestinal issues and it takes that away immediately. I've used it on the shoulder where I had surgery. I just can't believe this works so well.

[gloriajean]

Growing - thanks for that recommendation. It sounds like a good thing to have on hand.  

He had a good night last night - slept well, and with no heat on his legs last night.  So far no side effects!  That's wonderful!!!!

Thank you, John! You are very helpful.

[Trailrun23]

I take 500 mg potassium prescription tab daily. Dr said you would need a truckload of bananas to get what I need. I agree that if you read everything on the paperwork that comes with most meds, you would never take it. Legally,  they have to list every possible side effect, even if the chance is small. DH takes asthma meds and one of the side efffects on the lengthy list of side effects is asthma. Go figure. 

[gloriajean]

Here's an update: He gained 4 pounds since taking it, was told to watch weight gain, still leg cramps,

and he's not feeling well as he did on the other med.

He is scared - may be fluid around his lungs or heart, he's on his way to the VA Urgent Care to get X-Ray of his chest, and see what they say.

If he's scared, I'm scared.  

[gloriajean]

He found out that he should stay on the same medication, it's doing good for him, drink lots of electrolites, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, bread is bad, but I make my own bread without salt, but it does have blackstrap molasses in it, maybe that has too much salt? I make health breads, guess he should limit his intake. No alcohol. The new med takes a while to get used to, the doc said.

For leg cramps use over the counter stuff to rub in.  He will try that theraworx.

[Icegoddess]

Avocaos have more potassium than bananas.  

Sometimes a simple change in meds can work.  I was on Crestor for cholesterol and was miserable.  I felt like an old lady with no energy and aches and pains.  Doctor took me off and after several months at my physical it was checked again and he wanted me back on a statin.  Put me on generic Simvastatin and I haven't had any problems whatsoever with that.  Newer isn't always better I guess. 

[Q4u]

I have used Theraworxx and what has been said upthread is absolutely true.  I swear by it.  I have trouble with staying hydrated and that results in calf cramps.  I will jump out of bed and apply it according to directions and I'm happy with the results!  You can also find it at WalMart and it's worth the price!!....  

[gloriajean]

My husband has had trouble with his feet, arthritis etc. for some years, and needs good shoes every six months. Well, this time his shoes wore out, and he couldn't wait for the VA's time for the new shoes, so he bought himself a good pair, since then no leg cramps, except the foot turning sideways.  That we cannot find out how to fix.  He is getting a referral to PT, and see what she can do for that.  Several times during the night he foot or feet will turn sideways, and he has to get up and step on them to stop.  But no more of those awful, terrible leg cramps since the good shoes.  He tried theraworx too. Before the new shoes that didn't help him. PT should help with the foot turning sideways, maybe some exercise will help that. Other than that, everything else seems to be going okay with the new medication.

[hckynutjohn]

• ---

  h@gloriajean wrote:
  

  My husband has had trouble with his feet, arthritis etc. for some years, and needs good shoes every six months. Well, this time his shoes wore out, and he couldn't wait for the VA's time for the new shoes, so he bought himself a good pair,

  @gloriajean 

  Does your husband do a whole lot of walking? I am talking hundreds of miles. If not, why do his shoes "wear out"?

  since then no leg cramps, except the foot turning sideways.  That we cannot find out how to fix.  He is getting a referral to PT, and see what she can do for that.  Several times during the night he foot or feet will turn sideways, and he has to get up and step on them to stop.

  I have no idea what "his foot turning sideways means". When standing and/or walking, feet pronate or supinate. That means that the ankle turns inwards or turns outwards. 

  My feet are completely flat and they pronate. I had custom made Orthotics made years ago to correct that problem. I was running about 120 miles a month back then, and bought new running shoes every 500 miles.

   But no more of those awful, terrible leg cramps since the good shoes.  He tried theraworx too. Before the new shoes that didn't help him. PT should help with the foot turning sideways, maybe some exercise will help that. Other than that, everything else seems to be going okay with the new medication.

  If one has a foot problem, be it pronation or supination, it can work it's way all the way up the backside of one's body. I am talking:

  Achilles Tendons/Calf Muscles/VMO Muscles that support the knees/Lower Spinal Muscles of the Lumbar Area, up to and including the/Cervical Muscles supporting the neck.

  I gained all of my knowledge from experts in the fields of Podiatry/Orthopedics/Lumbar Specialists/Cervical Specialists, and several Sports Medicine Registered Exercise Physiologists. This was over several decades. 

  Why? Because originally I had most of the problems, and secondarily, to help prevent ongoing injuries from my choices of physical activities and fitness.

  Up to my present age of 83, mostly very physically active years! I still have my own hips(no hip issues)/my own knees(no knee issues). Many my age either have had a hip, maybe both, replaced. Same with the knees for most of them.

  I have had tons of injuries/several major surgeries, but none that changed how I lived my active life. Throw in 2 heart attacks and 2 episodes of Pulmonary Embolism(PE), and many Respiratory issues!

  Hopefully some of this very long post gives you some insight to the importance of having ones feet balanced. Foot problems can lead to awake and sleeping problems, which include muscle spasms(cramps), at any time of the day. Hydration can also be a very key factor in all of the above.

  Wishing both of you the best,

  hckynut  🇺🇸

  ---