Extreme Pain!

[Teen Girl]

Hey everybody!

Last night I woke up from extreme extreme, extreme, extreme, pain down my leg (muscle). I never felt something as bad as that! I never had any problems with my legs before. I couldn't move, and hardly breathed. After half an hour or so I fell asleep (don't know how that's possible!) and when I woke up (already in the morning) the pain was gone.

I told my mom about it and she said that she thinks I'm not getting enough salt into my body because I mostly eat fruits (80% of my diet). She said that she had similar pains when she was pregnant. (note, I'm only 17).

I'm new to raw and I started with 100% raw and I'm lasting for over a month now with one non-raw incident a week ago. In the past I ate pretty healthy, no junk food, no fast food, almost no meat (but I ate a lot of dairy and bread!).

I would love your opinion on how and if this pain could be connected to raw food and what kind of foods specifically will help me. Thank you in advance guys. :)

[CherimoyaMel]

Did you have a cramp like a charlie horse? Could you move your leg? This can be caused by a magnesium deficiency.

I'm glad you woke up feeling better ;)

[misslinda]

Yes,
I would be interested in knowing cramps? where on the leg did the pain start? do you particiapte in any exercises? previous injury to this leg?

glad the pain is gone,
linda :)

[FEELIN'GOOD]

Very nice site Teen Girl! I'm impressed- I am sending the link to my niece right now!

Sorry about your cramps... Hope it doesn't happen again :(

[Joopie]

Teen Girl,
Was it down the outside of your leg? It could have been sciatica- your sciatic nerve might have been irritated. I'm sure detox could irritate this; I have had back and leg pain off and on through detox. If it wasn't that, muscle pain is very common in detox. The upper left arm muscles have been killing me since detox started (12 days ago) and it hasn't let up yet. I have also had random shooting pains all over my body, including charlie horses in my legs. The body circulates around and cleans up the bad stuff, so I would think that's what's going on. You might try drinking lots and lots of water, too. That helps to prevent charlie horses (leg cramps). I had them sometimes when I was pregnant, like your mom, and water with lemon in it helps a lot. You may have just been dehydrated.

Good luck!
Julie

[Teen Girl]

I posted this topic on another raw food site and they all said that it is magnesium deficiency. And you guys say the same thing. Thank you all for your help. I will do my best with eating foods with magnesium.

FEELIN'GOOD, thank you! I hope your neice joins the site :)

byebye now

[Teen Girl]

Thanks again :)

[fivefoci]

Hi there,
Sorry to hear you were suffering leg pain. The good news is your pain is gone. I'm not a doctor, so I can't really tell you what to do if that happens again. I've cared for my ill mother for a good part of this last year. One of the lesser problems she had during her illness was cramping in her legs and abdomen. If you have night-time muscle cramps, much of the literature I've read suggests problems with the electrolytes in your body- salt- potassium, magnesium, or even calcium. Also, It's important to keep your body hydrated with plenty of water-- especially if you're active. If you consume caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea... it's a good idea to eliminate or greatly reduce them. Be sure you're eating foods rich in iron-- iron deficiencies are more common in women and it can cause night cramping. Sublingual vitamin B-12, if you're open to taking a vegetarian supplement can also help if you have recurring cramps. (b-12 and magnesium were prescribed by a doctor for my mother and they worked). I'm not a big believer in pills though-- taking too much magnesium or potassium can also be harmful.

Now what foods? This is an incomplete list I had jotted down from various sites on the internet. High in iron, Dark leafy greens are a great source of calcium too. They're also a good source of magnesium, as are avocados, okra, nuts, beans, seeds (sunflower seeds are excellent), whole grains, broccoli, apricots, kiwi, and bananas. Bananas are also a good source of potassium-- as are citrus fruits, raisins, tomatoes, avocados , honeydew, and cantaloupe.

The key to getting enough of these minerals in your diet is really to eat a variety of foods.

Stretching and relaxing those muscles may also have positive effects.

Howeverrrrr, after all this typing, I agree that you may have just been a little dehydrated. Drink waterrr!

Hmmmmm.. I dunno-- I hope this helps you or others. I've had cramps and muscle pains too... they're not fun! If they recur again and again, I'd see a doctor for some blood work to be sure. Stay well. --Rob