My body certainly has a way of throwing curveballs. Just as things are improving with my breathing and my doctors are on course to figure out the syncope problem ~ another symptom starts screaming for attention. I've noticed for the last month that my previously tolerable muscle cramps have been worsening. Crystal, my PT, and Dr. Fenster both have suggested possible remedies for the problem. I've been through each (potassium, magnesium, quinine) only to notice the muscle cramps continue to worsen.
This week has been the worst. Wednesday at rehab, after only a couple of reps on the pilates bench, my calf started cramping again. Crystal started massaging that muscle and the chain reaction started again. Next, the muscles in my side were pulling, then the other muscles in both legs, and on to my arms and back. It was so severe that one of the other PTs tried a procedure called needling. As she inserted the needles into my cramping calf muscle everything seemed to intensify. Apparently this isn't how the muscles are supposed to react to this procedure. She quickly removed the needles as the spasms were unrelenting all over my body. They asked me to stand in hopes of stretching some of the muscles and relieving the pain. As soon as I stood up I felt a flush of heat & nausea rush through me. The room started to blacken and before I could react I was out. When I came to, Crystal was standing over me with intense concern in her eyes. She insisted that it was time to call Dr. Olson.
Rehab wasn't much better Today. The spasms have been almost nonstop creating very achy, sore muscles. It's getting harder to handle and ignore. Dr. Olson called this afternoon to let me know she's ordered labs and is scheduling an appointment with Dr. Maleki. She seems to think it's mostly likely related to the Churg Strauss or something else rheumatalogical. For now, I'm supposed to stop all exercise and limit physical activity as much as possible. Hopefully they'll have an answer for me soon.
