Incredible pain caused by "cramps", and what to do?

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NYCman

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About 8 hours ago, my 61 year old mother woke up in the bed to some paralyzing cramps. She could not fold her leg at all. My sister had to go into the room and massage her leg and upper thigh for about 1 hour before she could get out of bed and start walking again. She didn't want to go to the ER as here on the East Coast we have a huge snowstorm, and the ER staff would most likely just make her lie down in a bed until the actual offices opened up in the morning (and I don't see how this would have improved her cramps).

She's been to the hospital in the last couple of months for a swelling knee, but that's on the other leg (the doctor's didn't really give her any clear answers on that either).. What should be done? What would the doctors in the ER do differently that we can't do for her here (ie, give pain meRAB, massage her leg, and get her out of the bed to hopefully work out the cramp).

I'm very worried as I've never heard her scream like that ever. BTW, we live in New York City. I don't think you can list specialists but please message them to me if you can. We live in Queens.
 
Leg cramps can be awful but the best way to get rid of it is to walk it off. I wouldn't worry about it but she could mention when she goes for her next check up. It could just be a one time thing. If it persists, you might take her to her regular doctor. It could be a mineral deficiency that can be easily corrected.
 
Been there, done that. They are so painful. When possible do get her calcium, magnesium and potassium checked. I keep pedialyte( for babies) on hand and I drink it when I get the severe cramps even though I take lots of vitamins. My tests were normal but I have these episodes of cramping through out my whole body. Drink lots of water and each night I drink a glass of tonic water which contains quinine. It won't help once you get the cramps but it helps prevent them. You might want to check with your doctor. If the doctor can't find a medical reason, you might be prescribed something like a muscles relaxer. I was given ativan, but I only take 1/2 of one when the cramps are severe. I know can tell when they are coming so I start with the pedialyte. Hope it was just a one time event for her.
 
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