spaf@gatech.UUCP (08/31/83)
I may get some bizarre responses to this, but....
I have seen a number of references to cramps in recent submissions
here, many of them (the references) of a somewhat sarcastic nature. As
Ken Arnold pointed out, they're no fun. I know some women who are
actually incapacitated for a day or two with pain. The other possible
symptoms, including anemia and fainting, are not to be taken lightly,
either.
If you suffer from any of these difficulties, let me pass along a
possible aid. It's not a remedy, but it may help. Try taking a *good*
multi-mineral dietary supplement, especially one rich in magnesium,
potassium, and phosphorus (I think the magnesium is the critical one).
If you're on the pill, take a good B-complex vitamin, too. Women who
diet a lot or have especially severe monthly periods often don't have
the level of minerals they need. The stress and pain also will cause a
need for a bit more in the way of reserves.
It may sound a bit faddish, but I have seen it work for 3 women I have
mentioned this to (after I heard it from a former girlfriend's mother.
But that's another story). You might even want to go so far as to have
a bit of your hair analyzed for mineral content. Each of us has a
different level of need for minerals and vitamins because we each
absorb them differently and use them at slightly different rates; the
RDA is not an optimal measure, simply a suggestion to prevent
deficiency diseases. Most regular commercial vitamins that supply 100%
of the RDA of things simply aren't potent enough for optimal health.
JUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO TAKE TOO MUCH! A little is a good idea, but too
much can cause toxicity. Consult a doctor or nutritionist if you have
any doubts.
You need to take them regularly to see the effects, and it may take a
month or two. Then again, it may not help any one individual at all.
But, it might be worth a shot. I've also heard that the magnesium also
helps reduce the bloated feeling some women tend to get. If it works
for anybody and you don't mind saying so, I'd be interested in
knowing. Maybe it's worth passing the word.
I'd post this to net.women.only too, but I'm male....
--
The padded cell of Gene Spafford
CSNet: Spaf @ GATech ARPA: Spaf.GATech @ UDel-Relay
uucp: ...!{sb1,allegra,ut-ngp}!gatech!spaf ...!duke!mcnc!msdc!gatech!spafengels@ihuxs.UUCP (09/03/83)
Watch what you eat several days beforehand(I'm lucky enough to know several days ahead). I getcravings for spicy food. So I eat bland food if my willpower holds out. Helps a lot. (slighty embarrassed to be posting this) (HOW DO I TAKE MY NAME OFF THE HEADER???)
preece@uicsl.UUCP (09/07/83)
#R:gatech:-43100:uicsl:16400012:000:381 uicsl!preece Sep 6 10:15:00 1983 I seem to remember reading about a year ago that anti-inflammatory drugs had been found to be unexpectedly effective in treating cramps (the drug Indocin sticks in my mind particularly). Does anybody know the current state of this research and whether such drugs are nor approved for this use? My wife would be interested in the answer. scott preece pur-ee!uiucdcs!uicsl!preece
sarno@pegasus.UUCP (09/08/83)
I used to get very bad cramps...enough to make me immobile. BUT then I started swimming every day. I often go months without any cramps whatsoever. I also find that if I have cramps and I force myself to go swimming on that day I feel great afterwards. So, instead of recommending drugs to you cramp sufferers, I would like to recommend swimming (probably other exercises would help too). I would like to also add that women that swim/run regularly often have much shorter labors. Perhaps our bodies are trying to tell us something.... EXERCISE is good for you! Marianne Sarno ..pegasus!sarno