A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Any of you get random cramps in your legs while typing?

Posted: Feb 17, 2015

Lately I will all of a sudden start getting cramps while trying to work normally around my knee or right underneath. So distracting I have to get up and walk around but it always comes back. Have tried drinking more water but so far no help. Any suggestions?

;

Cramps - I notice that

[ In Reply To ..]
I get them more in my toes/feet, particularly in my right foot, as that is my pedal foot. I started eating a banana a day and taking a multivitamin for the magnesium. Have you tried stretching before and after work? Once in a while, I will get a cramp in my hip, but I stand up and stretch and that seems to cure that.

I get up every hour or so and walk around - newbutold

[ In Reply To ..]
I have tried everything but it drives me crazy

If it's like a charleyhorse, try tonic water for the quinine. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
My mom was getting charleyhorse-type cramps at night and just a few ounces of tonic water a couple days a week has made them go away.

Cramps - Rusty

[ In Reply To ..]
I used to get them so bad at night that one time I passed out from the pain and my family called EMS thought I had a stroke. They are unrelenting and get them in different places. At night I am afraid to stretch for fear it will bring one on. I eat 2 bananas a day, one in the early afternoon and at nighttime after dinner, and drink half a liter of tonic water at night before bedtime (yes, it is nasty, but now I don't even taste it). My doc says it is from staying immobile throughout the day typing, but I think it is more my feet, flat feet and they turn in from years of flip-flops, but whatever the reason there were times I just wanted to cut my legs off. I even keep a tube of Bio-Freeze next to the bed just in case. I hope they do not progress to the point where mine are. Good luck

Quick fixes and lifestyle solutions - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I have had leg cramps at night where the first time it was so severe I almost called EMS.

Quick fix (may or may not work for you) Immediately eat a teaspoon of mustard. Some people say pickle juice. It may be the turmeric--coaches have athletes do this.

Acupressure: Press beneath your nose above your upper teeth for 15 ? seconds.

Long term:
Stay hydrated.

I have a smoothie almost every day that includes Greek yogurt, cherry juice (for arthritis), a teaspoon of flax seed, wheat germ and olive oil, a banana, orange, carrots, celery, broccoli, spinach, berries and any other fruit I have around--canned, fresh, or frozen. Pumpkin, squash and sweet potatoes are good for the beta carotene also.

I have increased my exercise level. I find it best to warm up for a couple of minutes on the rowing machine, then I do ab/core exercises, then do a good stretching routine. You might want to check on PBS TV for Body Electric with Margaret Richards. I learned a lot about proper form, etc., from working along with that show.

I also take a break half way through my day and take the dogs for a walk. Great to get some fresh air, clear the mind and get some weightbearing/aerobic exercise in.

I find this routine helps me sit up better when working (which I think has improved my line count), has helped my neck, shoulder, wrist and hand pain, and helps to relax me.

I do not think you can just take a pill for every ailment.

Mustard - Rusty

[ In Reply To ..]
Just regular yellow mustard, the liquid form or dry form. I don't mean to sound stupid, but I will try anything and I want to get it right. Any special "flavor" of pickle juice? Dill, sweet, etc.? Thanks so much, I am going to try these suggestions. Wish me luck.

Just regular yellow mustard from frig - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I found it worked somewhat variable. Sometimes it knocked the cramps right out, sometimes I would have less severe cramps later in the night.

I think any pickles that have vinegar and tumeric. You might even want to try to mix a little vinegar and tumeric with some water and sip it.

I cannot emphasize enough the diet and exercise lifestyle changes. I would also see a doc if you have not in regards to worries about claudication, etc. How is your blood pressure? I think a thyroid test is always in order too. Dyslipidemia? Are you puffy or dehydrated? Let un know if anything works for you. I think sometimes hormones can get wacky as well.

I used to get cramps... - PT

[ In Reply To ..]
and my knees would ache and then about 3 years ago I started standing up to type and it's helped considerably. I could never go back to sit-down typing.

Are you on a diuretic for hypertension? - Or drink a lot of coffee

[ In Reply To ..]
... or other caffeinated beverages? Low potassium and magnesium cause cramping like that, sitting immobile or not. Cold air can precipitate them if you aren't moving much.

Bananas are not enough to replace it. That is kind of a myth. You would need a grocery cart full. You may need potassium and magnesium supplements.

If you are on a potassium-wasting diuretic for hypertension, like HCTZ, tell your doctor about the cramps. Definitely mention any heart palpitations, too.

Be aware that the coated potassium tablets sometimes don't have time to dissolve, so if you take potassium and still have cramps, you may need the powdered kind that mixes in water.

Cramps - Rusty

[ In Reply To ..]
I was watching TV, well sort of, just zoning out, when a commercial for Nexium came on. I didn't hear all of it, but did hear the part about Nexium lowering magnesium levels. WHAT? I am on ompeprazole twice a day by the same doctor who knows I have severe leg cramps at night. I guess it is mostly my fault for not reading the side effect bulletin, but he knows these. I stopped taking omeprazole 2 days ago and already my feet do not have that heavy feeling, and drinking less tonic water to control them. My plan is by next weekend to stop all tonic water and see what happens. Wish me luck. To the person who asked if I was on HCTZ, no but on lisinopril. Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

Lisinopril can cause leg cramps - Double Whammy. nm

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

Similar Messages:

Apr 28, 2011
Anyone have any advice for cramps? I have suffered my whole life from horrible cramps and I have found nothing so far that helps! ...

Apr 27, 2013
Does anyone else get foot cramps? They wake me up in the middle of the night and can last for 15 minutes, and are 8/10 on the pain scale, easily. No idea of the cause. Not on any medication. ...

Jan 21, 2011
The family practice doc I type for has been telling patients to put a bar of Ivory soap under the sheets in their beds to help RLS and leg cramps. I thought "how bizarre" but the patients are swearing up and down that it actually works. I googled it and sure enough, a lot of people are using it. I can't find any explanation why it works, just that it does. I have been plagued for years with RLS and can't afford the medication so I can't wait to go out and g ...

Jan 25, 2011
Does anyone else get leg cramping/aching while they type?? I used to get them when I started and then it went away, but lately its been getting me again especially in my upper outer thigh. Its not so much an instant leg cramp sensation, just more of a achy feeling (like if you're on a plane) that does go away after I stand up. Any suggestions?? ...

Jul 04, 2010
Thanks to the person who mentioned "Typing Race" online as a way to increase typing speed. (Can't remember what forum.) It is so fun and addictive. Maybe I am just web-illiterate but I had never heard of it before. I am re-learning to type on a Dvorak keyboard, to help my carpal tunnel, and it was sort of (very?) discouraging to be reduced to slow, hesitant typing. But Typing Race is making it so much more fun. Sometimes you get matched up against the same people on different races and the ...

Jul 07, 2010
For the past three days, my lower legs, especially my ankles have been extremely achy. I have tried ibuprofen and Vicodin without relief. I can't afford to to the doctor as I have no health insurance and a lot of medical bills. Normally the bottom of my right foot aches, but this different. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what you did to relieve the pain. TIA! ...

Feb 11, 2013
Her laryngitis is getting worse. The 3 minute dictation was bad and all the ones that ensued (about 8 of them). Then i about flipped with a 6 minute dictation by her still with layrngitis AND NOW A 20 MINUTE DICTATION!!!! WITH LARYNGITIS!!!! I mean cmon, man, can't you wait a day or two till you have your voice back? Okay, just had to vent. Now I feel better (except that I'm only half finished and I've already got about 15 blanks). I can deal with e ...

Jun 01, 2010
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my mother for my oddly longer second toe that sticks out of sandles and peep toes like a monkey's finger. THANKS MOM! ♥ ...

Nov 29, 2015
Post your random thoughts here! Doesn't necessarily mean you need to respond to anyone and everyone, you can if you want to, but post whatever's on your mind. My random thought: Post your random thoughts here! Doesn't necessarily mean you need to respond to anyone and everyone, you can if you want to, but post whatever's on your mind. My random thought: Just got home after sitting an hour and a half in a coffee joint to figure out I had my sweater on backwards. ...

Jan 25, 2010
I am watching a show this morning and the husband is sitting there with his wife with his legs crossed at the knees like a lady does. On TV this really looks sorta feminine. Anyone else have the same idea or does your hubby sit the same way? ...

Aug 20, 2012
Does anyone else have trouble with painful, achy legs? My are hurting after only sitting at the computer for half an hour and then they hurt the rest of the day. This is especially bad since I had my gallbladder removed four weeks ago. Does anyone have any suggestions to help the pain? TIA! ...

Jul 07, 2010
Hi all: Has anyone had trouble with right shoulder hurting, burning type pain, tired, feeling like your arm is going to fall off and making right triceps weak after sitting at the computer so long. I have been to doc twice, on pain pills, muscle relaxers, NSAID, hot tub for muscle soreness. I have not been to the neurosurgeon yet. I think it is a pinched nerve causing this as I searched symptoms on line and this is pretty close to what I am having. Driving me ...

Mar 21, 2010
It's been in the news here in GA lately so I thought I'd ask.Should recipients of welfare, food stamps and unemployment benefits be subjected to random drug testing? With anyone testing positive being denied benefits. ...

Jul 13, 2010
OMG!! I love the game Bookworm! I think I'm an addict! Somebody get me a dictionary, quick!!!!! ...

Mar 23, 2010
nm ...

Sep 09, 2010
xxxxxxx ...

Jun 11, 2010
Somehow I got into the habit of doing this years ago and now I can't type with both feet on the ground anymore. I had an awful time during the 4 months I spent in the cam walker with the broken foot last year because I couldn't cross my legs (right foot was broken, had to prop it and use the left foot). Anyone else with this strange habit? I use the pedal with my right foot and have to have my left leg crossed over. I also can't stand to have the little things ...

Sep 20, 2013
[The link in this Time article is to the videos. Little "funny" detail? The guy they hired to run this campaign for them -- supposedly AGAINST government probing our bodies -- is the same special-interest-group guy in charge of getting forced ultrasound bills passed in Virginia by Governor Ultrasound and several other states.] Spread Your Legs for Uncle Sam The real meaning of the creepy new anti-Obamacare ads By Kate Pickert @katepickertSept. 19, 201341 Comments ...

Jan 20, 2010
I am thinking that it may be that my chair is just worn out, no support, etc. After typing all day my spine feels "tired." I cannot really explain it any better, it does not really hurt or ache. Curious if anyone else experiences this. TIA ...