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Abdominal Muscle Spasms
For almost 1 year now I have had horrible muscle spasms in my abs when I do sit ups. I do a lot of running and other exercise and my abs never tighten up like that any other time other than doing sit ups. Everytime I try to do sit ups I can get through about 10 then the upper right abdominal area completely tightens and feels like a really really bad charlie horse. I'm just looking for any advice or experience with this that anyone can give me. I saw my family doctor and he said it's not a hernia and it could maybe be my gallbladder. With everything I've read online about gallbladders it doesn't seem like that is it to me. Just wondering if anyone can give me some help!
Thanks
Thanks
I am convinced it is related to scar tissue. I never had this problem until I had abdominal surgery. I first had surgery in my lower left groin area. The cramping occurs in the exact area of my surgical scar; if I move a certain way, I get a SEVERE charlie horse type muscle spasm in that area. I can hardly move or breathe. A few years later I had surgery on my right side, upper quadrant area, and now I get the same muscle spasm there too. Same exact thing, when I move a certain way. All my labs are normal.
I've also been experiencing the muscle spasms in my abdominals. A couple of things I've noted from the posts:
1. Many people are active runners or otherwise exercise regularly
2. Some people have had trauma to their abdominals
3. The event comes on after some level of exercise
In my case, the symptoms started appearing a few months after I had a weird experience with my abdominals. Out of the blue they started spasming in waves like contractions over a 6-8 hr period. I was actually hospitalized. Lots of tests were run and nothing was discovered. My ER doctor friend says he has seen this, usually with women. No cause is typically found. I first experienced the charlie horse when I tried to do crunches right after running. I now don't do ab work until well after I do cardio. That seems to help. Maybe doing in the very beginning of a work out is even better. The magnesium might help also, but I had recent blood work and all levels were good. Of course drinking water is always good, but I'm also thinking that this is probably not a major culprit because most people have been regular exercisers and probably have o.k. habits with water drinking. Or, even if they don't, it doesn't really explain why the charlie horses just start out of nowhere. It almost seems that once your body grooves a spasm response, it just keeps happening. We probably just need to be extra careful about when we do the ab work. If you do early in workout and low reps, all the muscles will be less tired and you'll be less likely to be dehydrated. I'm hoping by trying this I can retrain my body's response.
Has anyone actually tried the magnesium supplements and have they helped?
1. Many people are active runners or otherwise exercise regularly
2. Some people have had trauma to their abdominals
3. The event comes on after some level of exercise
In my case, the symptoms started appearing a few months after I had a weird experience with my abdominals. Out of the blue they started spasming in waves like contractions over a 6-8 hr period. I was actually hospitalized. Lots of tests were run and nothing was discovered. My ER doctor friend says he has seen this, usually with women. No cause is typically found. I first experienced the charlie horse when I tried to do crunches right after running. I now don't do ab work until well after I do cardio. That seems to help. Maybe doing in the very beginning of a work out is even better. The magnesium might help also, but I had recent blood work and all levels were good. Of course drinking water is always good, but I'm also thinking that this is probably not a major culprit because most people have been regular exercisers and probably have o.k. habits with water drinking. Or, even if they don't, it doesn't really explain why the charlie horses just start out of nowhere. It almost seems that once your body grooves a spasm response, it just keeps happening. We probably just need to be extra careful about when we do the ab work. If you do early in workout and low reps, all the muscles will be less tired and you'll be less likely to be dehydrated. I'm hoping by trying this I can retrain my body's response.
Has anyone actually tried the magnesium supplements and have they helped?
I've have these same intense and excruciating abdominal muscle cramps for a couple of years. They seemed to be getting worse, would come at different spots up and down the abdomen, either side, hit and go, only to repeat several times before they finally calmed. Tried everything, much of what I read here. Mostly set off when doing anything that involved bending forward, be it exercise or just putting on a sock. Hit several times a day. Unbearably painful!
Had all the usual tests: normal; no imbalances, hernia, etc etc. Lots of water, no deficiencies. Had muscle separation, but he insisted that was not the cause.
Finally, my doctor said that SOME people find help by taking TONIC WATER. Anecdotal evidence, to be sure. But at this point I was willing to try anything. He said to start with 4 to 6 oz, one to two times a day (morning and evening). The smaller amount helped me in 2 days, but I still had some painful spasms every day, though not quite as intense or long-lasting.
Finally worked up to 3 ounces twice a day, and it's kept them at bay, about 90% gone, unless I am not careful to back off immediately if I overdo one of the positions that brings it on. Even then, it will back off, whereas before I would have been in for a horribly painful session, regardless of whatever I did.
PLEASE NOTE: the regular cheapo tonic water has either sugar or high fructose corn syrup. HORRIBLE for health. So I chose Schweppes Diet Tonic water; sure, it has saccarine, but better that debilitating muscle cramps many times a day for life!!! I measure out my doses into a mug, add a little squirt of liquid stevia and about 6 ounces of water (tonic water is quite bitter alone!) and sip it slowly til gone. Repeat in the early evening. (kind of like having a gin n tonic, minus the gin, ha ha)
Believe me: my body tells me within several HOURS if I miss a dose, with spasms!!! So, it is not a "cure", but it does calm down the muscles. My doctor said it is the QUININE in the tonic water that does it, for some people (He said it doesn't work for everyone, unfortunately). They do make quinine prescription tablets, but only one company holds the patent now, and it's ridiculously expensive.
So, talk to your doc, and if approved, try tonic water. It helped me, it might help you.
I hope this gives relief to any fellow muscle spasm sufferers!
Had all the usual tests: normal; no imbalances, hernia, etc etc. Lots of water, no deficiencies. Had muscle separation, but he insisted that was not the cause.
Finally, my doctor said that SOME people find help by taking TONIC WATER. Anecdotal evidence, to be sure. But at this point I was willing to try anything. He said to start with 4 to 6 oz, one to two times a day (morning and evening). The smaller amount helped me in 2 days, but I still had some painful spasms every day, though not quite as intense or long-lasting.
Finally worked up to 3 ounces twice a day, and it's kept them at bay, about 90% gone, unless I am not careful to back off immediately if I overdo one of the positions that brings it on. Even then, it will back off, whereas before I would have been in for a horribly painful session, regardless of whatever I did.
PLEASE NOTE: the regular cheapo tonic water has either sugar or high fructose corn syrup. HORRIBLE for health. So I chose Schweppes Diet Tonic water; sure, it has saccarine, but better that debilitating muscle cramps many times a day for life!!! I measure out my doses into a mug, add a little squirt of liquid stevia and about 6 ounces of water (tonic water is quite bitter alone!) and sip it slowly til gone. Repeat in the early evening. (kind of like having a gin n tonic, minus the gin, ha ha)
Believe me: my body tells me within several HOURS if I miss a dose, with spasms!!! So, it is not a "cure", but it does calm down the muscles. My doctor said it is the QUININE in the tonic water that does it, for some people (He said it doesn't work for everyone, unfortunately). They do make quinine prescription tablets, but only one company holds the patent now, and it's ridiculously expensive.
So, talk to your doc, and if approved, try tonic water. It helped me, it might help you.
I hope this gives relief to any fellow muscle spasm sufferers!
I know it has been awhile, but did you ever find out what the specifics were.
I have had the same problem on and off for about 4 years now after lifting a heavy dining room table...the pain is awful! I had this happen today to me at work...I quickly took an aspirin and it took the pain away within 5 minutes. I am going to make sure that I have that with me at all times now because the pain is so disabiling...the aspirin seemed to work wonders!
Hi Jbeaugh, did you ever get a final diagnosis of your symptoms and a cure? I have been experiencing similar symptoms for the past 4 years. I get random cramping in my stomach that leaves me in excruciating pain and hospitalised once. All tests came back fine and doctors are baffled by it. The pain makes me vomit and feel close to fainting and is so debilitating as it can happen day or night and with no warning. Any info on what you found out regarding your symptoms would be appreciated. Thanks
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