have any of you guys ever had a spasm while driving

[tropolis]

like a cramp and you cant move your leg. happened to me once when i was driving my car. luckily i was able to get on the side of the road using my other leg on the brake. has that ever happened to you guys while driving

[golfhobo]

like a cramp and you cant move your leg. happened to me once when i was driving my car. luckily i was able to get on the side of the road using my other leg on the brake. has that ever happened to you guys while driving

Sure! Happens all the time! No worries though. I just set the cruise control, bungee the steering wheel to the door handle, and get up and walk around the condo sleeper! :wink:

[hitman]

This dude asks some off the wall questions.

[BigDiesel]

like a cramp and you cant move your leg. happened to me once when i was driving my car. luckily i was able to get on the side of the road using my other leg on the brake. has that ever happened to you guys while driving

Yet another stupid question....

[Fredog]

This dude asks some off the wall questions.

if you dont know something, the best way to get the answer is to ask the question..

[Malaki86]

like a cramp and you cant move your leg. happened to me once when i was driving my car. luckily i was able to get on the side of the road using my other leg on the brake. has that ever happened to you guys while driving

Yet another stupid question....

Again - not everyone was born with a steering wheel in their hands...

[Rev.Vassago]

Again - not everyone was born with a steering wheel in their hands...

I was. My mom said it hurt like hell.

[jamesinge]

I have a horrible habit of holding in sneezes. Once while driving I did this and almost blew out my eardrum. The pressure caused such a severe case of Vertigo that the entire world tilted completely sideways. I was so scared I cant even convey. Anyway I managed to pull sharply to the shoulder and recover by letting my ears pop.
Most horrifying thing I have ever experienced.

[Fredog]

Again - not everyone was born with a steering wheel in their hands...

I was. My mom said it hurt like hell.

if you ever decide to be "born again" it will probably kill her

[Useless]

Again - not everyone was born with a steering wheel in their hands...

I was. My mom said it hurt like hell.

:shock: :shock:

That was a good one, Rev!!

In all seriousnes, though, the question is not so dumb as it may appear to be to some people.

If a driver is encountering muscle spasms and/or muscle cramps on a frequent basis, or with increasingly frequency, it IS indicative of protracted dehydration and/or excessive sodium levels.

The best way to deal with that is to lay of the salt, fast foods, junk food, and sodas. Increase water intake..... most drivers do not drink nearly enough water, which is one reason why so many of my patients who were former truckers were coping with End Stage Renal Dysfuction (ESRD).... a very miserable way to go. Over a protracted period, it can also contribute to cardiac dysrhythmia.

Most people from ALL walks of life do not drink NEARLY enough water, (guilty!!) but as a group, drivers are even more prone to inadequate hydration or dehydration through physical activity, such as flat bedding or fingerptinting freight, or THE LACK of physical activity due to the often sedentary lifestyle, combined with poor eating habits, fast food, and consumption of diuretics, such as coffee, tea, and sodas.

Part of the problem is that unlike construction workers, or others who work primarily out doors, where the effects of dehydration are more evident, for drivers, the process of becoming insuffuciently hydrated is more insipid; it often goes unnotices until symptoms set in..... by that time, the body id already dehydrated.

It is also very important to increase potassium levels to counter the excessive sodium levels; Gatorade and bananas are both excellent sources of potassium, although Gatorade is very acidic; so if you drink a lot of Gatorade, brush your teeth very thoroughly, as often as possible... it eats right through tooth enamel.

[BHG0069]

like a cramp and you cant move your leg. happened to me once when i was driving my car. luckily i was able to get on the side of the road using my other leg on the brake. has that ever happened to you guys while driving

Yet another stupid question....

Followed by an ignorant response.

[golfhobo]

Useless said:

A BUNCH of scary stuff....that is way over my paygrade.... and makes me afraid to even LIVE!

Seriously, Useless..... I am MOST impressed by your medical knowledge, and your willingness to share it with us.... but....

1) I recently saw a segment on CNN that DISPELLED the theory that a person needed 8 glasses of water a day (or whatever the conventional wisdom SAID) and that is has been disproven by medical authorities!

2) They ALSO said that sodas would work fine for the limited amount of liquids we actually needed.

THAT being said.... I DO agree that truckers need to stay "hydrated" in SOME form. And yes.... gatorade or any of the "sports drinks" are better than just water!

But, to combat "cramps" especially in the legs, it is not just FLUID that is needed, it is circulation! I have had several co-drivers lately who think it is "macho" to drive 10 or 11 hours STRAIGHT without taking a break! This is stupid! It is not good for the BRAIN.... and it is not good for the circulation! And it is not even good for the JOB!

ALL drivers should stop every 3 hours or so to walk around and clear their HEADS, improve their circulation in their legs, AND to check their loads!! Loadlocks sometimes fall OFF! Fix the problem before it becomes a few pallets of produce that you need to re-stack! :shock:

Flatbedders, and heavy haulers allready KNOW about this! But, I thought the newbies might need to hear it!

But the point is.... DVT is a killer! And it affects truckers at an increased rate over the norm. You MAY never get it, even if you sit for 11 hours straight. But, you have a HIGHER chance of getting it if you do! :shock:

So, WHY take the chance? It ONLY takes a few minutes to pull off on a ramp, get OUT of the truck, check your load, tires, etc., and stretch your legs AND clear your mind of the fog of the road! You can EVEN log it as a 15 minute break which will let you drive LONGER (within your 14 hour window.)

You've ALL heard of how trucking is a "sedentary" lifestyle, right?? Why do you think this is true? Because so many drivers WON'T take a break twice a day to stretch their legs, or walk around the truck a few times, or even do a jumping jack or two!

Even FACTORY jobs give their workers a short break in the morning and afternoon, along with a Lunch break! Just because you are "under a load" doesn't mean you can't take care of YOURSELF!

I don't know what that "renal dysfunction" is that Useless told us about.... but, I KNOW I don't WANT it!

They say that "no load is worth your life" and that is true! But, it applies not ONLY to speeding or driving over your hours.... it also applies to how you take care of your body while doing your job!

Remember the ad slogan that said, "You deserve a break today?" Well.... they were RIGHT! I don't care HOW slow your truck might be, or the pressure you are under to deliver on time.... YOU DO deserve... and NEED at least TWO breaks every day!

It's not about being "macho." It's about your health and career! The World won't END if you STOP THE TRUCK at least twice a day and take a break! It's good for your MIND.... makes you a sharper and safer driver, and it's good for your LEGS, back and belly! And THESE three things ALONE can determine whether you can DRIVE or not!

If you don't believe me..... ask GMAN!

[Chasing Daylight]

Back before I learned the art of stress reduction, and was running Chicago to the East coast all the time, I used to get these odd spasms in my middle finger, mostly during rush hour.

[Useless]

Useless said:

A BUNCH of scary stuff....that is way over my paygrade.... and makes me afraid to even LIVE!

Seriously, Useless..... I am MOST impressed by your medical knowledge, and your willingness to share it with us.... but....

1) I recently saw a segment on CNN that DISPELLED the theory that a person needed 8 glasses of water a day (or whatever the conventional wisdom SAID) and that is has been disproven by medical authorities!

2) They ALSO said that sodas would work fine for the limited amount of liquids we actually needed.

I'd be a bit suspicious of that one, Golf!!

My career as a radiology nurse involved caring for patients who were suffering from vascular insuffucuency. Bear in mind, too, that I have also taught Human Anatomy and physiology. Sodas are diuretics, they are high in sodium, and the shift the body's ph levels into the acidic realm, which influences the body's balance of glucose and insulin levels.

When dealing with "clinical research studies", you must remember that they can takeon the same aura as a political opinion poll.... that is to say that where you trace back the economic interests driving it, you'll find that the outcome has been determined before the 'research' ever began.

THAT being said.... I DO agree that truckers need to stay "hydrated" in SOME form. And yes.... gatorade or any of the "sports drinks" are better than just water!

But, to combat "cramps" especially in the legs, it is not just FLUID that is needed, it is circulation! I have had several co-drivers lately who think it is "macho" to drive 10 or 11 hours STRAIGHT without taking a break! This is stupid! It is not good for the BRAIN.... and it is not good for the circulation! And it is not even good for the JOB!

Circulation is a vascular consideration; muscle contraction and relaxation is conducted be an exchange od sodium and potassium chloridr. Chemically speaking, salt exists as a suspension.

When a muscle contracts, sodium is forced into the actin of the muscle tissue.... cramps result from insuffucient potassium levels needed to purge the sodium.

Now, does adequate circulation play a part in all of this??

Yes.

But the body's ability to maintain proper circulation requires proper peristalsic activity, is also influenced by the body's balance of potassium chloride and sodium levels; thus, proper circulation is also contingent upon keeping the body properly hydrated.

ALL drivers should stop every 3 hours or so to walk around and clear their HEADS, improve their circulation in their legs, AND to check their loads!! Loadlocks sometimes fall OFF! Fix the problem before it becomes a few pallets of produce that you need to re-stack! :shock:

Flatbedders, and heavy haulers allready KNOW about this! But, I thought the newbies might need to hear it!

But the point is.... DVT is a killer! And it affects truckers at an increased rate over the norm. You MAY never get it, even if you sit for 11 hours straight. But, you have a HIGHER chance of getting it if you do! :shock:

So, WHY take the chance? It ONLY takes a few minutes to pull off on a ramp, get OUT of the truck, check your load, tires, etc., and stretch your legs AND clear your mind of the fog of the road! You can EVEN log it as a 15 minute break which will let you drive LONGER (within your 14 hour window.)

You've ALL heard of how trucking is a "sedentary" lifestyle, right?? Why do you think this is true? Because so many drivers WON'T take a break twice a day to stretch their legs, or walk around the truck a few times, or even do a jumping jack or two!

Another point worth making is that the same "supertruckers" don't urinate nearly enough. Urination is the process of eleminating excess fluids, but it also facilitates the purging of toxins.

BTW, End Stage Renal Dsfuncion (ESRD) is a malady which involves the kidneys, and the urinary tract shutting down.... it is usually gradual, insipid, and by the time it has been diagnosed..... it's usually too late.

Drivers, make sure you pee often enough. your "iron bladder" will buy you a lot of trouble.

Even FACTORY jobs give their workers a short break in the morning and afternoon, along with a Lunch break! Just because you are "under a load" doesn't mean you can't take care of YOURSELF!

I don't know what that "renal dysfunction" is that Useless told us about.... but, I KNOW I don't WANT it!

They say that "no load is worth your life" and that is true! But, it applies not ONLY to speeding or driving over your hours.... it also applies to how you take care of your body while doing your job!

Remember the ad slogan that said, "You deserve a break today?" Well.... they were RIGHT! I don't care HOW slow your truck might be, or the pressure you are under to deliver on time.... YOU DO deserve... and NEED at least TWO breaks every day!

It's not about being "macho." It's about your health and career! The World won't END if you STOP THE TRUCK at least twice a day and take a break! It's good for your MIND.... makes you a sharper and safer driver, and it's good for your LEGS, back and belly! And THESE three things ALONE can determine whether you can DRIVE or not!

If you don't believe me..... ask GMAN!

[turnleft]

I am not driving now. I have something going on with my arm which does occasionally spasm. It started out as severe pain in the left pectoral area just above the armpit and it was painful above the left elbow. The pectoral pain has subsided but the arm is painful all over now and it's like I have lost 80% of the strenght in the left arm, it is difficult to open jars or hold a dish while washing it. The arm is numb. I've had ekg, blood work, x-ray which all came back fine. A doctor has ruled out a muscle problem since I can move my arm any way I want. He is leaning towards nerve damage and wants me to get a cat scan but I have no insurance to keep getting these expensive tests done. I live in a city where the main employer is a pharmaceutical co.(Pizer) and the doc want's me on Lyrica (made by Pizer) and its very expensive,( again no insurance), I don't know what I'm gonna do. This problem sucks and it's ruining my life.

[Fredog]

I am not driving now. I have something going on with my arm which does occasionally spasm. It started out as severe pain in the left pectoral area just above the armpit and it was painful above the left elbow. The pectoral pain has subsided but the arm is painful all over now and it's like I have lost 80% of the strenght in the left arm, it is difficult to open jars or hold a dish while washing it. The arm is numb. I've had ekg, blood work, x-ray which all came back fine. A doctor has ruled out a muscle problem since I can move my arm any way I want. He is leaning towards nerve damage and wants me to get a cat scan but I have no insurance to keep getting these expensive tests done. I live in a city where the main employer is a pharmaceutical co.(Pizer) and the doc want's me on Lyrica (made by Pizer) and its very expensive,( again no insurance), I don't know what I'm gonna do. This problem sucks and it's ruining my life.

find a way to pay for the cat scan, it could be something life-threatening like cancer.ask the doc for a payment schedule most will work with you.

[BigWheels]

I am not driving now. I have something going on with my arm which does occasionally spasm. It started out as severe pain in the left pectoral area just above the armpit and it was painful above the left elbow. The pectoral pain has subsided but the arm is painful all over now and it's like I have lost 80% of the strenght in the left arm, it is difficult to open jars or hold a dish while washing it. The arm is numb. I've had ekg, blood work, x-ray which all came back fine. A doctor has ruled out a muscle problem since I can move my arm any way I want. He is leaning towards nerve damage and wants me to get a cat scan but I have no insurance to keep getting these expensive tests done. I live in a city where the main employer is a pharmaceutical co.(Pizer) and the doc want's me on Lyrica (made by Pizer) and its very expensive,( again no insurance), I don't know what I'm gonna do. This problem sucks and it's ruining my life.

That stinks.

Are you working at all now? If so, will insurance kick in eventually?

[Jumbo]

You guys make think this is a no brainer but just last week I almost was overcome by heatstroke. I was working in the yard loading my trailer and it was hot out. I knew I was sweating and before I knew it I had stopped sweating and had the chills. Only then did I realize what was going on so I sat in the truck with the air on and got some fluids back in me. It can happen before you realize it. I keep a case of bottled water behind the passenger seat and was drinking water but just not enough.

[bjs24]

This may be odd but this is what i got. Ive been driving about 7-8 months and for the past month when i cough i feel pain from the top of my left ass cheek down my thigh. I can feel pain at other times but its worse if i cough, i can only assume its from sitting as much as i do now? Ive always worked on my feet 12-14 hours a day. I do walk around truck stops when i stop or walk around at stops. Just thought id add. be safe BJS

[NotSteve]

This may be odd but this is what i got. Ive been driving about 7-8 months and for the past month when i cough i feel pain from the top of my left ass cheek down my thigh. I can feel pain at other times but its worse if i cough, i can only assume its from sitting as much as i do now? Ive always worked on my feet 12-14 hours a day. I do walk around truck stops when i stop or walk around at stops. Just thought id add. be safe BJS

Sounds like your Sciatic nerve. That runs right down the middle of your cheek and down the middle of the back leg.

You could either go to a chiropractor or take a laxative, then you'll be afraid to cough.