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Last Night I Was Awakened Suddenly By Horribly Cramping And
Question: Last night I was awakened suddenly by horribly cramping and in my right calf. This is not the first time this has happened (maybe one time a year for the last few years) but it was by far the worst. This went on for nearly a half an hour, my husband was trying to help me by rubbing my leg, the pain was so bad that my voice was hoarse this morning from screaming. After the leg stopped cramping I started feeling faint, shaking, in a cold sweat, felt the need to throw up but nothing came up despite heaving so hard my stomach muscles ached this morning, and nearly passed out at least three times. This went on for probably another forty minutes. I had a complete blood panel drawn about four months ago for my annual physical including iron, B12, thyroid (I am hypothyroid), and everything came back good including blood sugar, cholesterol, etc. Thoughts on what to do next?
Brief Answer:
Electrolyte imbalance possible.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome Ask a doctor's service.
I read your query and here is my advice.
The muscles cramping you are having may be caused by overusing the muscles like if you recently did hard physical activity, dehydration, bad blood supply or nerve compression.
Using some medications such diuretics may contribute to muscle cramps due to impaired electrolytes balance.
I can advise you to check the electrolytes in the body first , potassium, calcium and magnesium levels.
Any nerve compressions in lower spine also may have caused it. So a x-ray of lower spine may be needed.
If this both are normal you may check for an issue with blood supply in legs. You may need to do an arteriography to check for atherosclerosis of arteries.
Correcting the electrolyte imbalance may be the solution of your problem.
Also stretching after exercises is required.
Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Electrolyte imbalance possible.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome Ask a doctor's service.
I read your query and here is my advice.
The muscles cramping you are having may be caused by overusing the muscles like if you recently did hard physical activity, dehydration, bad blood supply or nerve compression.
Using some medications such diuretics may contribute to muscle cramps due to impaired electrolytes balance.
I can advise you to check the electrolytes in the body first , potassium, calcium and magnesium levels.
Any nerve compressions in lower spine also may have caused it. So a x-ray of lower spine may be needed.
If this both are normal you may check for an issue with blood supply in legs. You may need to do an arteriography to check for atherosclerosis of arteries.
Correcting the electrolyte imbalance may be the solution of your problem.
Also stretching after exercises is required.
Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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