Getting and Staying Healthy After Fifty

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Dec 08 2008

Leg Cramps and other Malnutrition Monsters

Published by cgardener at 6:20 pm under Dieting, Emotions Edit This

I just didn’t even feel like eating today. I nibbled on some stuff here and there.  Tried to eat a meal, but the closest I got was two small zapped sweet potatoes. 

I’m going to definitely have to start taking my vitamins on a regular basis again, as my feet are threatening to cramp.  That hurts so much! Why does it always happen at night, and always in the middle of a great dream?

The worst leg cramp I ever had was right after my shoulder surgery. I was stressed, on Vicodin and nausea medicine, and wasn’t eating or drinking much, much less taking my vitamins.  Mostly, I was just sleeping and praying that the pain wouldn’t last long.

On about day three after the surgery, I woke up feeling like someone had driven a red hot poker into my left calf muscle!  Oh My God!!!  It was so terrible, that I tried to stand, and literally fell to my knees screaming out in pain!  I was so scared I was going to fall and injure my shoulder again, but somehow, I managed to maneuver myself down to the kitchen, grab a dishtowel from the drawer, wet it, heat it in the microwave, and put it on the muscle.  

I didn’t even try to get into the Living Room like I usually do when I have a cramp.  I sat right on the kitchen floor, crying, holding that hot towel on my leg.  It took three hot towels to get that muscle to relax.  

After that, I faithfully took my multi vitamin and extra calcium/zinc/magnesium and extra potassium every day for a very long time.  I tend to forget, though, when I’m stressed and in survival mode like I am now.

Better go take them, before I forget and get waked up screaming tonight. 

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2 Responses to “Leg Cramps and other Malnutrition Monsters”

  1. juriatheon 09 Dec 2008 at 11:17 pm edit this

    Dieting sux, royally, it truly does. However, you are doing it for more than just a desire to lose weight. Adjusting what you eat is for your health as well. Plus, you are fighting depression. All of that combined would drive a saint to cuss.
    Seriously though, I think you are sounding like someone who is too low on fuel. You need something to boost your energy, and I don’t mean chemically. Try to trick your eyes, if you want to be drinking more. I keep those cute little bottles Sprite came in on my comp desk, filled with water.. my eyes see ” Sprite”…my mind thinks ” goodies !!”…. and I drink healthy stuff. The green , sparkly little 12 oz. bottles look so tiny; easily emptied. I fill 8 of them with water and set them all on the same shelf in my fridge, and as I drink one , I refill it and rotate it to a lower shelf. No counting to see if you drank 6 bottles of water. When it gets boring, yes, I dump in flavorings.

    But what did you tell me before?..you like your veggies, but need more protein. I think you are still fudging on the protein. Get up, woman !!. take care of yourself, I enjoy reading your rants .. ** chuckles and leaves a hug **

  2. cgardeneron 16 Dec 2008 at 9:53 pm edit this

    I actually did eat mostly protein today and yesterday, but it was fried. I think my body is craving fat, and I fried it in canola oil, so I don’t feel too bad. I also ate boiled peanuts a lot last week, more protein.

    I’m buying groceries tomorrow, so I’m going to get unsalted peanuts and some almonds as well to add more protein and good fats.

    I really do need to keep taking those vitamins, too. I feel a lot better when I do.

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