Muscle cramps out of nowhere

I have had muscle cramps twice in my life, 1 of which was exercise related(but not with a lot of weight, just 1 pound added).

The first muscle cramp happened when I was at the store and this was a couple years ago. It was in my abs and my back at the same time. I didn't exercise soon before or after the cramp back then so it couldn't have been from that. But boy was it bothering me. It was so bad, I wanted to take quinine as a muscle relaxer for it. I looked up interaction with phenobarbital(my seizure medication) and that combination is safe. But I didn't take the quinine.

The second cramp was several months ago and it was in my triceps this time. I did 10 bicep curls at 1 pound in both arms at the same time and after that, my left triceps muscle was cramping. This is the exercise related cramp.

The only thing I know of to relieve muscle cramps besides quinine is stretching the cramped muscle(or muscles as the case may be). I have been making sure that I am hydrated. Is there anything else I can do to relieve or prevent muscle cramps?

 

Hi Caters,

You might find this link interesting:-

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/legcrampsunknowncause/Pages/Treatment.aspx

 

Thanks for the link - some simple yet effect remedies for muscle cramps and how to avoid them.