Yesterday something happened that's never really happened before. I was sitting, cross legged playing a game, and when I stood up, both my calves started to seize up. I've never really gotten cramps before, so I did a little poking around and needless to say, my inner hypochondriac is acting up. I'm now scared that I have DVT or something. Granted, the pain is much better today, mostly I just feel a tightness. Could these cramps be a side effect of the PM, SP, or GTE I'm taking? I've only been on NBE for 3.5 months now, and my PM dose has never exceeded 2k. It would seem really unlikely for a clot to form this early, but I digress, I'm scared. Thoughts?
Hi Dana
Now that you mention it I have been having leg cramps at night and they usually force me out of bed in a hurry. I've been back on PM regimen for 2.5 months, but only at 500mg a day.
Usually leg cramps a a sign of low potassium and eating a banana a day will fix it. I've also heard tonic water will do the trick as well.
So banana or gin and tonic.
I think the question about NBE draining our potassium is a que for Lotus.
Bobbi
Dana,
One thing to consider is that PM decreases the parathyroid hormone (which the PTH maintains normal calcium levels). Check your calcium, vitamin D intake and adjust if necessary.
Even at 1000mg per day PM reduces the PTH, either drop it (PM) down to 500mg (or go off pm temporally). The risk for DVT is real on PM (ask twinkle who developed DVT from PM). A prudent approach while on NBE/HrT is the addition of NSAIDS, and ultimately get it checked out ASAP.
Good luck.
Thanks Happyme, Lotus.
I'm sure that I'm deficient in both vitamin D and calcium. I haven't been outside in forever and I haven't eaten anything calcium rich in a long time. I'm thinking it's probably time to start supplementing these. As for my legs, they're better today. Still tender, but nothing like what was described in Twinkle's post. My current assumption is that it was a cramp. If anything gets worse, even for a second, I'll get checked out. Thanks again.
I remember seeing the news of David Bloom passing away plastered on the giant news tickers zipping around Time's Square and thinking: Pycnogenol. I was taking it at the time and it was highly suggested for those prone (which I wasn't) to such on long flights.
Seeing this subject brought up here in a new context (NBE)...new to me, I think I would add it to my regimen if I have sense one of the things I'm taking for NBE might make one more prone to DVT.
That and aspirin, which I take anyway.