How long does a charlie horse last?

[maslex]

Well, maybe not the actual charlie horse, but the after effects?

I don't normally get them except a couple times during the summer in the pool when one of my toes will cramp up pretty bad. But after it goes back to normal, it's fine.

So a couple days ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with a pretty bad one in the back of my right calf. It took a few minutes for the "worse" part of it to go away but it still hurts. Never had that happen before. Actually, this is really the only one I ever remember having in my calf (like I mentioned before, I usually get one in my toe in the pool)

Is this normal? What can you do to get rid of the soreness?

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I get them a lot, there is several things that can be done, and yes, having it hurt days after is a normal thing for me.I get them so bad now, they run all the way up to my hips, both legs to the point of rolling up in a ball!!

for staters, I now keep some "coconut water" in the frig for this, the potassium content is awesome and surpasses any bananas. When they happen, you need to hit a cold floor barefoot, sometimes this will straighten it out. If not, do a "rub down" start at the point of the charlie horse and rub in circles and work it to the foot area, you can actually feel it move.

This can also mean you have a potassium decency, so as stated above do the Coconut water or bananas or even baked potatoes.
It can also happen from wearing different shoe types and going on to another type.

as for the soreness, it will go away in a few days...

 

[maslex]

I get them a lot, there is several things that can be done, and yes, having it hurt days after is a normal thing for me.I get them so bad now, they run all the way up to my hips, both legs to the point of rolling up in a ball!!

for staters, I now keep some "coconut water" in the frig for this, the potassium content is awesome and surpasses any bananas. When they happen, you need to hit a cold floor barefoot, sometimes this will straighten it out. If not, do a "rub down" start at the point of the charlie horse and rub in circles and work it to the foot area, you can actually feel it move.

This can also mean you have a potassium decency, so as stated above do the Coconut water or bananas or even baked potatoes.
It can also happen from wearing different shoe types and going on to another type.

as for the soreness, it will go away in a few days...

I had a friend tell me this. She said eating bananas will help. Now do you guys mean that eating the banana will ease the pain right away OR by eating them everyday overtime will lessen the pain when they happen?

 

[liamsaunt]

It won't work right away. Bananas are high in potassium, and potassium deficiency is one cause of charley horses. Eating bananas can help correct low potassium levels.

 

[shortbun]

there are lots of things that have more potassium than bananas. Watermelon, coconut juice-the real stuff, not milk, apricots, orange juice. Hydrate with gatorade or powerade. ice it, then soak it. Massage it and stretch it. Keep the blood going and treat the swelling.

 

[krcit]

Ughh, I remember waking up with charley horses when pregnant. Hurts like crazy!

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

I get them a lot, there is several things that can be done, and yes, having it hurt days after is a normal thing for me.I get them so bad now, they run all the way up to my hips, both legs to the point of rolling up in a ball!!

for staters, I now keep some "coconut water" in the frig for this, the potassium content is awesome and surpasses any bananas. When they happen, you need to hit a cold floor barefoot, sometimes this will straighten it out. If not, do a "rub down" start at the point of the charlie horse and rub in circles and work it to the foot area, you can actually feel it move.

This can also mean you have a potassium decency, so as stated above do the Coconut water or bananas or even baked potatoes.
It can also happen from wearing different shoe types and going on to another type.

as for the soreness, it will go away in a few days...

You can also try apple cider vinegar. One swig of that and the cramps stop immediately. (at least that’s the case with most of the people I know)

Also, try bending (or have someone else bend) your toes (on the leg that is cramping) back as far as they will go the second you feel a cramp coming on. This can help stop cramps as well (though not as consistently as the cider vinegar).

Good luck. Charlie Horses are horrible.

As to the pain, heating pads and ibuprofen work wonders

 

[MM27]

I've always found that getting up and walking backwards helps.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Also check your magnesium intake. If potassium isn't stopping them, it might be that.

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/muscle-spasms-cramps-charley-horse

 

[saradela]

Never had them until 4 months ago, they started every day, so I went to the doctor, it turns out that I am diabetic and my blood glucose was too high.
Check with your doctor, better safe than sorry.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

You can also try apple cider vinegar. One swig of that and the cramps stop immediately. (at least that’s the case with most of the people I know)

Also, try bending (or have someone else bend) your toes (on the leg that is cramping) back as far as they will go the second you feel a cramp coming on. This can help stop cramps as well (though not as consistently as the cider vinegar).

Good luck. Charlie Horses are horrible.

As to the pain, heating pads and ibuprofen work wonders

cool!! I did not know this one!! All thou That new coconut water rocks at making them go right away!! That is why I keep 4 bottles on hand at all times...I walk around (screaming) walking on a cold floor while drinking this, and have to take a xanax which always works!

 

[Pixiedust34]

Spin off question: I've always wondered why they call it a charlie horse?

When I get this, if I'm wearing shoes I'll kick them off and will try to find a cold floor for my feet. I don't get a charlie horse often, but it can really hurt when it does happen!

 

[airhead]

I get them on the outside part of my lower leg(outer ankle) and I can actually see the muscle pull my foot up! By then,its too late to do anything! I also get them on the inside of my thigh. These cause so much pain I have almost passed out. I keep carbonated beverage(soda) by my bedside in case i get these cramps. it seems to help. There's no way I can get out of bed or stand when i get the thigh cramps.

 

[Rora]

I HATE charlie horses!! I typically get them in my feet (I was a dancer) as well as the back of my calf. I've found that if I point and flex my foot repeatedly, it typically goes away.

 

[Disney Doll]

Just a little PSA - Make sure it's a charley horse and not a phlebitis or a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Often they present in a similar manner.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

The fastest/easiest way to get rid of a charlie horse or any muscle cramp is to squeeze the middle area above your upper lip with your thumb and index finger. Squeeze it firmly, but not hard enough to cause pain. Hold for about 30 seconds. It's some type of pressure point and will relax the muscle spasm immediately. I know it sounds crazy but it works every time!