Hello Dr. Rynne,

Thank you. Age 69 with very good health prior to past couple of years. Had emergency surgery for appendicitis 2 years ago this month. Earlier this year during harsh winter had bronchitis 2 1/2 weeks and after several visits to the doctor finally was feeling better by early April. Late April muscle cramps started, rarely had cramps of any kind since I am a dedicated jogger. Sometimes nausea with the cramps. I had a severe cramping episode about 2 months ago in the middle of the night. Prior to this time I had experienced cramps in my left or right hands, or feet and thought it was likely working at the computer too long. Cramps occurred off and on for a few weeks. Then I had a severe episode in the middle of the night with the left foot curling so tightly I couldn't stand on it along with strong charlie horse cramp in the back of my right calf and I fell trying to get out of bed. I started passing out from the pain but kept trying to work out the cramps when I would come to and drinking water. After a while I was able to call 911 and was taken to the emergency room. Long story -- emergency center ran brain scans, heart screening and found nothing. Feeling really drained the next day, visited my Doctor who checked heart, etc.. and said it was likely dehydration and/or low magnesium / calcium. At his suggestion I began taking both supplements and added a daily regimen of a lot of water, plus 2 baby aspirin morning and evening times. After a few weeks I felt much better. Stopped the aspirin after a couple of weeks. Then last week after slacked off a bit taking the minerals and due to heavy work schedule had been drinking less water during the day cramps started again. Since then I've had some minor episodes right calf, left left back upper muscle with a bit of nausea when it happens and lower energy.

Lack of health problems thinking I may be overdoing the concern bit, so just wondering if I should push for more attention to cramping from my doctor. Or is cramping just typical of being a bit on the mature side of life and needing much more attention taking care of the basics.

Thank you kindly,
Peggy