Stretching Causing Muscle Cramps - Fibromyalgia Message Board

PapaRoux · 06-27-2004, 10:11 AM

Hi--

I don't know if this is FM related or not, but I find when I stretch very often I pull out a muscle or feel like it's ready to pull out.

Even just lying in bed and giving a good morning stretch is treachorous.

Sound familiar?

Any suggestions on how not to let this happen?

Ed

typingterror · 06-27-2004, 04:57 PM

I cannot stretch like that either and I used to love to be like a cat and get all relaxed by rolling around and stretching all my limbs and would feel like I was a queen. If I would try that now I would have Charlie horses big time. I miss that. On walking tapes I have they have cooling down stretches which I cannot do either or I would collapse from the pain. Hell, I am jealous of people who can even walk straight now. (TT)

taurus3 · 06-27-2004, 10:50 PM

I here ya. It's so annoying how careful we have to be. If I reach just a centimeter too far for something or stretch too far I get cramps too. THe only thing I've found to do is just constantly pay attention to what I'm doing and how it feels. The least bit of tension and I back off. I can't point my toes anymore because I get cramps in the arches of my feet. One thing I have found is that the warmer my body is the better stretch I can get. If I'm at all cold it's cramp city. I try to stretch in the hot shower on my chair if I'm having a bad day.

One time I looked to the side too far and spent about a week with my neck and shoulders all jacked up.

Oh and the magnesium is helping me. I do have a little problem with it making me too regular though. I have some rectal damage with chronic runs so I normally take stuff to slow things down. I also read that it prevents pregnancy complications too. They don't have it in most prenatal vitamins oddly enough.

Try the warm water stretching and see if that helps. - Andy

Tschuess · 06-28-2004, 04:57 AM

I have this problem as well, but do not have FM. The stretch often produces a huge bruise on the skin over the affected muscle (usually the calves), and I've wondered whether it was associated with the burning/numbness I also experience in my legs. I've tried B12, folic acid, and magnesium, but nothing seems to help prevent this, other than simply avoiding stretching. How are muscle cramps associated with FM? I don't have other symptoms of FM (tender spots), so am curious if there is some common problem that spans different medical diagnoses. Anyone have any ideas?

typingterror · 06-28-2004, 05:45 AM

Summer season I always get into trouble in this area as when one sees a mosquito or fly bugging you of course it is natural instinct to take a swat at it. We also have the lady bug season where you will be walking and they will land on you. The first time this happened with my sensitive skin I felt like someone had thrown a rock at me as it stung. Now I try really hard to let insect life die of old age should they have good fortune to get into my apartment. (TT)