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I have recurring muscle strains after losing weight

pze19
pze19 Posts: 4
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello all, I was hoping for some advice as I cannot find any answers elsewhere. I apologize for the length of this post. I would appreciate any advice as doctors have not told me anything solid IMO...other than "suck it up". :) This all started 2 weeks before I turned 30 in late Feb. UGH. In this entire time frame, I have lost somewhere between 40 and 50 lbs.

A few months ago (mid-Feb), I was injured *I think* while shoveling snow (lower right abdominal pain, also lower right side ab pain). I was worried about appendicitis (never had ab pain for more than a couple days and I was at a couple weeks at this point) and went to my PCP. I did say that I had some minor groin pain and they tested my urine and said I had a UTI.. they never sent my sample for further analysis, but they gave me 500mg of cipro for 7 days (2x a day) which I worry has screwed me up (e.g. floxing).... and I'm questioning whether I had that #*(@ UTI.

Anyway, I had blood work done since I was overdue for the lipid panel, cholesterol, glucose, etc, and all was well (except a low vitamin D level which the doc did not even acknowledge, but I will get to that later). At this point my weight was probably around 255-260... I don't know to be honest, as I did not own a scale at this time. The doctor said it can take 6 weeks for my strain to heal...

At 7 weeks I was not feeling better and went to ER thinking it was my appendix again... they did a CT scan and found a small inguinal hernia on my left side... only thing is that my pain was 99% on my RIGHT side this whole time... ugh so they referred me to a surgeon who I talked to.. he examined me and couldn't feel anything and told me to come back in a month... during this time I came down with some kind of stomach virus and I was worried about something else again and met with a GI specialist (despite this recent strain, I was concerned about having 5-6 BMs a day and figured okay might as well get this looked into)...she told me to try an elimination diet which helped and she had me do some more blood work (e.g. test for celiac) and stool tests (which came back good) and then to come back in a couple months... but anyway..

I came back to the surgeon a month later (late April at this point) and he said he couldn't feel the hernia at all, so I was very relieved at last! However, I told him I still have this ab side pain and he wrote me a script for a CT scan with contrast this time... ALSO I was having calf pain (new strain!?) at this time and I was paranoid about a clot so he wrote me a script for a doppler (which turned out to be okay, just a mystery strain.. I have no clue how I hurt my calf).

Ok, so after the second CT scan (mid May), the results were that there was no hernia! I was so relieved! Now that we're near the end of July, I still get some side pain now and then, but it's manageable. HOWEVER, I still have calf pain a couple times a week (goes away randomly) and I think I strained my front stomach muscles from mowing the lawn last week... I mean it seems like ever since this all started, I am getting muscle strains all over the place. I don't know if it's the poison aka cipro or what... but with my weight loss....

From mid-Feb through the end of March I probably lost 20 lbs.. mostly from anxiety and not much of an appetite since I was so terrified after googling my symptoms every 5 minutes. I was weighed at my initial GI specialist appointment and two months after that (late June), I was down another 17 lbs....and now a month later I'm probably down another 10-12lbs... now... since the initial snow shoveling injury, I have made some lifestyle changes:

1.) Eating less... couldn't tell you how much less in terms of # of calories, but less.. and my daily breakfast (at least 5 days a week anyway) is banana + oatmeal + granola.
2.) For over a year now I have been eating salads for lunch Mon-Fri... up until about 3 months ago I would cheat one day a week and get fast food (Taco Bell or McD), but I stopped that around March/April.
3.) Cut down on drinking... I used to drink quite a bit, but every since the injury, I hardly drink at all because I'm paranoid about coming down with an emergency (e.g. appendicitis) and I have booze in my system.. probably sounds crazy, but it is what it is.
4.) Eating much less carbs, specifically bread, white pasta, and white rice... oh and almost no red meat (maybe once every two weeks I'll have ground veal)
5.) I eat almost no dairy.. some cheese with sandwiches, but I no longer put milk in my coffee and I have not touched yogurt in months...mainaly because of the elimination diet success.
6.) I stopped drinking soda. Before all this happened, I drank maybe 2-3 20oz bottles of diet coke or diet caffeine free coke (I usually mixed with bourbon on weekends and during the week I would have one 20oz from the vending machine).
7.) I drink a lot more water now.. close to 1.5-2L a day + my morning coffee and evening tea.

Now, I am a dumb smoker... about 1 pack a day for 12 years, but the last year I started using Nic-Out filters and I smoke a little less now (under a pack a day maybe 3/4?)... which I know, dumb habit, but I figured I have lost like 45 lbs in the last few months so that's a big step in the right direction, and I do feel better (not winded) since using those filters.

For a while I was concerned about my weight loss (especially when everything on WebMD makes you think you have cancer), but the GI specialist said I shouldn't worry because my lifestyle/diet changes have caused the weight loss. She basically told me to tough it out and continue exercising even if it hurts! What kind of advice is that!? She looked at my blood work that was 4 months old at this point and said to take 2000UI of Vitamin D a day for a couple months.

I guess my other concern is that I seem to get muscle injuries VERY easily now. I found no link between weight loss and muscle weakness when searching. I ride a bike about 3-4 times a week (few miles at a time, nothing strenuous). I started the biking last year when I was probably 45-50 lbs heavier and never had strains from mowing my darn lawn. As I am sitting here now, my stomach muscles are hurting and it's driving me bonkers. Thankfully, this entire time, the pain was never extreme, but the fact that it's persistent for so many months just makes it emotionally exhausting.

I am thinking about finding a new PCP to be honest... there is one nearby who has a specialty with sports medicine, so maybe he can give me good advice on exercise/stretches and just another opinion in general.

Again, I am sorry for the length of this post, but I could use any advice/encouragement/etc. I am only 30, and I didn't expect to have these kinds of problems until I was 50...especially because I have lost so much weight. Friends/coworkers/family all say "hey you look great!" but it's not how I feel. Part of me is paranoid that I have something wrong with me (e.g. cancer or who knows) because I cannot seem to understand why I get all these muscle pains all of a sudden... did the cipro screw me up, or does it really take this long for your body to adjust?

Oh, in addition to vitamin D (taking 2000UI/day for a month now, although I probably forgot 3-4 days), I started taking a multi-vitamin just a few days ago, along with liquid magnesium (read it may help with muscle pain), and I am starting a low-mid strength probiotic as soon as it comes in tomorrow (I have never taken them before but I read that antibiotics = kills flora so maybe it will help with any GI issues I have been having?)...so am I crazy to be so worried when I'm 30 and having these 1st time health issues/concerns?

Replies

  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    When you begin exercising it's a good idea----maybe in your case--essential-- to start off your day with a stretching program. I'm alot older than you and have had OA for many years. I get up early before everyone else in the house and do 45 minutes of stretching 3 times a week--BEFORE I go to the pool and do 40 minutes of laps and 30 of water aerobics. This limbers me up, and I avoid pulling something. I have been doing this for 19 years now, so am speaking from experience. Your exercise should be light at first, and then gradually increase. Injuries are no fun and hold you back. Try walking alot at first, with the right shoes. I wish you all the best. :smile:
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    cliffs?
  • pze19
    pze19 Posts: 4
    When you begin exercising it's a good idea----maybe in your case--essential-- to start off your day with a stretching program. I'm alot older than you and have had OA for many years. I get up early before everyone else in the house and do 45 minutes of stretching 3 times a week--BEFORE I go to the pool and do 40 minutes of laps and 30 of water aerobics. This limbers me up, and I avoid pulling something. I have been doing this for 19 years now, so am speaking from experience. Your exercise should be light at first, and then gradually increase. Injuries are no fun and hold you back. Try walking alot at first, with the right shoes. I wish you all the best. :smile:

    I definitely do not stretch as much as I should. I played recreational softball last year and I stretched a few min before each game and it worked well. I have been doing light exercise this whole time tbh... I have not over-exerted myself (as far as I know), but I have not been a couch potato either. It's just strange that this all happened right as I was turning 30... like up until that stupid snow storm everything was okay (even if I did strenuous yard work) but now BAM. I mowed the lawn a few times since the summer started (hired a service the first couple months of my injury but wow were they pricy!). It's amazing how something so quick can cause such a long recovery (assuming my problems are muscle injuries and I'm overthinking about it being something more serious).

    Thanks for your wishes. :) I will have to train myself to wake up a little earlier and do some basic ab/core stretches.
  • SoLongAndThanksForAllTheFish
    SoLongAndThanksForAllTheFish Posts: 831 Member
    Wow thats a lot of text and conditions and issues. Cant go through all of that, but sounds like maybe you have muscles that cramp sometimes, and maybe some of the muscle pain is due to using/"finding" muscles you didnt use much before and let get out of shape. If your doctors don't find any issues, I'd try to gradually increase exercise, reduce caffiene/stress to help reduce muscle cramps and yes, "suck it up" when they do happen if the doctors don't find anything wrong, there is always some pain with exercising and getting stronger.

    For example last week I switched machines and started with about 20% less than I normally did on the other machine, but it still caused me muscle pain just to walk for quite a few days...everybody gets muscle pain if you do a new activity/motion/intensity/amount hard enough, its just the amount necessary to cause some pain generally changes as you strengthen.

    And then suggestions you know that will also help your healing/recovery ability:
    1) quit smoking (exacerbates muscle/joint pain in studies, makes you feel more pain, reduces healing rates and lung capacity)
    2) track the calories and get enough protein and macronutrients.
    3) watch your caffeine, high enough and this can increase resting muscle tension and increase probability to cramp/spasm
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    Hello all, I was hoping for some advice as I cannot find any answers elsewhere. I apologize for the length of this post. I would appreciate any advice as doctors have not told me anything solid IMO...other than "suck it up". :) This all started 2 weeks before I turned 30 in late Feb. UGH. In this entire time frame, I have lost somewhere between 40 and 50 lbs.

    You lost 40 - 50 pounds in 2 weeks? Damn!
  • Susanlove316
    Susanlove316 Posts: 28 Member
    Minerals may help. Smoking depletes some of them too. I found this about Muscle Cramps/ charley horses....but the point is these minerals help the muscles. Cramps are also more likely to occur if your body is low in minerals like sodium, calcium, and potassium, which play critical roles in muscle function. Poor diet, dehydration, and use of medications such as diuretics can all be associated with mineral depletion.

    A charley horse will usually go away after a few hours or days. However, gentle massage or holding the muscle in a stretched position will help resolve the cramp more quickly. Ask your doctor or physical therapist if you are unsure about specific stretches for certain muscles. Tight muscles will often respond to heat as well. A warm water bottle or heating pad applied in 20 minute intervals will help increase blood flow to the cramping muscle.

    To prevent muscle cramps, try these tips:

    1. Stretch regularly before and after exercising to increase your flexibility.
    2. Do workouts that match your level of physical fitness. Build up to harder, more intense workouts gradually rather than overusing and straining your muscles.
    3. Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of potassium-rich fruits and vegetables. Oranges and bananas are especially good sources of potassium.
    4. Stay well-hydrated before, during, and after exercise.
  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
    1) are you getting enough protein
    2) are you getting enough fat
    3) are you getting enough micronutrients -and especially electrolytes like salt and potassium? Low potassium is a common cause of muscle cramping
    4) have you considered that you may be making things much worse for yourself by stressing out over internet-diagnosis? Stomach pain is a pretty common sign of stress.
  • pze19
    pze19 Posts: 4
    Thanks for all the responses so far. :) I should clarify a few things.

    1.) I drink one coffee a day (1 small or med coffee from 7/11), so I do not think I have too much caffeine...I hope that's not too much because I have been drinking that much for years!!
    2.) I think I am getting enough protein because I load my salads with chicken and an egg
    3.) I am not sure if I get enough fat, but I would have to really think about it a bit more
    4.) @tameko2 - To answer your 4th question, I have considered that absolutely. My concern is that I have never had any health issues in my life. If I ever had muscle pain from shoveling snow or mowing lawns or playing sports, it lasted maybe 3 days max and the pain was never anything to worry about. I am now at 5 months of always having some kind of issue, so it has been very stressful. However, I am a religious person and have been getting myself to pray and meditate a lot more often. The worst (mentally) was probably the first 2 months after I was in my Google craze, but prayer has definitely helped me.
    5.) I think I get enough micronutrients...but you be the judge! :)

    Here is my typical weekday diet (looking back on it, there's no dairy):
    Breakfast - Banana + oatmeal packet + 1/4-1/2 cup of granola
    Lunch - Salad bar... they charge by the pound and i get about 1.1-1.3 lbs each time... I love mixed greens when they have them but usually romaine, then a scoop of pickled beets, chickpeas, a few slices of cucumber, red onion, 5-6 bits of broccoli, one boiled egg, some real bacon bits, some grape tomatoes, and I go easy on the dressing
    Snacks - Not daily, but maybe 3 days a week I will have a handful of almonds between breakfast/lunch and lunch/dinner.
    Dinner - 1/2 lb chicken breast (sometimes a little more/little less) + nice helping of rice/potatoes/quinoa/pasta + random veggie on the side (lately boiled baby carrots, but I'll grab whatever). I think I season my protein well with salt/pepper but not so much that it's overly salty.

    On weekends I typically have the same breakfast, but lunch is usually a sandwich or my cheat day (burrito, pizza, etc), and dinner can be the same as weekday or more takeout.

    In the course of the week I may go through the equivalent of one bottle of gatorade, maybe 1.5. I drink a lot of water and in the evening I usually have a cup of herbal tea (no caffeine). I don't snack after dinner at all. Maybe it's good that I don't like sweets like chocolate or pie (I'll have a small piece of dark chocolate maybe once a week if anything at all sweet).

    The stomach discomfort I feel the last 9 days feels like stomach muscles (GI seems normal though). It's between my waist and belly button on both sides like where my belly fat hangs hehe.
  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
    Any vitamins or supplements?
  • pze19
    pze19 Posts: 4
    A month ago I started taking 2000UI of Vitamin D daily. Just a few days ago I started taking a multivitamin (One a Day w/ Omega 3), but I did take another multi when I started the vitamin D (some random gummy vites I found at trader joe's). I also just bought some liquid ionic magnesium this past weekend which is 400mg per serving, but I probably take less than half of that (building my way up since I hear it can have a laxative effect at higher doses).

    For the record, I freaking HATE pills. I try to find anything in powder, gummy, or liquid format. :) I also ordered Probonix (liquid probiotic) that I will try this week.

    The specialist told me to take the vitamin D and the PCP said just take a multivitamin, but none of them said calcium (which I assumed at first since I eat no dairy except a few slices of cheese over the weekend if I have a sandwich).

    I don't know how I feel about vitamins yet. One day I'm reading that they're good for you.. then the next day I read that they are useless.

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