The ''Charlie Horse''

I dont know i dont get them in shooting hands but do get them a lot in calf muscles and its bad enough cant even stand when ya get up

One of the more common reasons for muscle cramps is a low potassium level. You're getting older, so it becomes more of a concern.

Bananas, orange juice, potassium salt substitute, and if necessary, OTC/prescription potassium supplements are in order.

I'm with Bud, get them mostly in the calf or foot. Nothing to make your day like one of those arch cramps!!

I get them too P95 CARRY. Sometimes I will get them in my legs just sitting at the table eating. Sure do get up in a hurry and start walking. Oh for the good old days of youth.

P95, I'm pushing 70 (just pushing not there quite yet) and yup, I sometimes get 'em. I've found that plain old tonic water, the kind you use with Gin, Vodka etc. helps a lot. Especially for large muscle cramping, legs, arms etc. I think it probably works best without the adult additive.
buzzg

"not quite there yet", but I do get them occassionally. What my dad (67)recommended was the "old" isometric, resistance, calisthetics, ala Matt Furey(sp). My job is sedentary, and I have noticed a big (positive) difference, when I keep up with it..

Creaks, clanks, cramps, spasms, are all part of life in my middle seventies.

Multiple gun carry, with at least one available to either hand is my best advise.

Shucks KC - you 'sound' way younger!

Thought you were a young varmint (spelled phart!) like me :biggrin: Guess this gives you ''most-senior'' status here!

Rob72: Good advice, but I'm also a long distance runner, got a Bowflex, do all that stuff. Still get 'em occasionally. Most often when I'm cutting/splitting firewood, although they have occurred when shooting. Seals, bearings/bushings wearin' out I guess. The tonic does help.
buzzg

I must try the tonic - bit of help from quinine perhaps. I try and watch such that I do get some K as well as Na but seems like there is a predisposition now I am aging more.

Washed hair yesterday (just the one - LOL) - and right bicep seized on me with arm used in that way. Sometimes Lat' on one side will have a go too. Calf (gastrocnemius) is a wicked painful one if it really takes hold - sorta rips itself internally! Ouch.

The hand one tho - that gives me most cause for concern, should it occur when i most need a good and controlled gun grip.

buzz - bearings, seals, bushings - yep - I hope tho my big-end bearings hold out a while longer :biggrin:

buzzg said:

Rob72: Good advice, but I'm also a long distance runner, got a Bowflex, do all that stuff. Still get 'em occasionally. Most often when I'm cutting/splitting firewood, although they have occurred when shooting. Seals, bearings/bushings wearin' out I guess. The tonic does help.
buzzg

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Interesting. When I cut & split wood, I loose feeling in 40% of my body, usually followed by "gimpiness" the next day. :biggrin: Keep clockin' buzz, running is hard work! :Breakdanc

darn cramps

I get them too, mostly in my feet and calfs, Quinine water helps but got to find soemthing that is mor esure fire. I'm going to try the potassium pills, seeing the doc tomorrow.
If I knew I was going to live this long I'd have taken better care of myself
Regards,
Fuzzy

Boy i must be the one in worst shape here .. most of you guys are quite a bit older ill be 30 this year and still have all the problems older people do . I drive lots OJ and get enough exercise in my job going up down stairs and lucky my calf cramps if you can call it lucky come on middle of night

Somewhat in the expert class when it comes to cramping of arms and legs. I take about 4 to 6 Tums e-x a day for the calcium and it really helps. When the doc said yep this will help your hands arms and legs I thought this is crazy as hell but it does work. I get cramps if I eat stuff that contains sugar, acids or salt. Beer is fine but soda will do me in, even just a small amount.

but soda will do me in, even just a small amount.

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Maybe time I quit so much Pepsi :biggrin:

Funny I found this post today. I woke up this morning with one in my calf that was so bad I now have a bruise. I still relativly young but I did go and get a banana from the kitchen. Potassium and Sodium play a very symbiotic role in muscle contractions and if you get one of them out of balance, the muscles have a hard time releasing.

Ouch.

Hey! I just got a star. :biggrin:

One of the more common reasons for muscle cramps is a low potassium level. You're getting older, so it becomes more of a concern.

Bananas, orange juice, potassium salt substitute, and if necessary, OTC/prescription potassium supplements are in order.

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Couldn't have said it better myself! This is exactly what I was thinking

Mike

You are definitely not alone. I get them mostly in calf and biceps. Usually a banana or orange juice help keep them away, if I remember to eat or drink them regularly.

cramps

Well I went to the doctors yesterday and along with a general check on my againg body I asked about the cramps I have been getting in my calf and feet. He prescribed Quinine Sulfate (A mylaria drug) to help. He also suggested a banana 2 or 3 times a week and a small can of V-8 juice a few times a week for thier potassium. Don't want to be or like being on another medicine so will try the fruit and juice route after the first bottle of Quinine is gone.
Will let you all know how all this works.
Regards,
Fuzzy