Let me start by stating that I have not yet been diagnosed, but BFS seems likely to me. Anywho...
A year ago, aged 52, I quit smoking. I also started exercising. In November I started running. I signed up for a charity 10km race which is on Sep 9th as a way of celebrating a year off the cigarettes. I have had a couple of problems, most notably tendinitis in the shins. I have been receiving excellent care from a physio and this problem is solved.
However, I soon started experiencing random lower leg pains. It became apparent that these were caused by "mini-cramps" - uncommanded muscle contractions. I slowly learned to differentiate between pains that I could ignore and pains that I shouldn't. I also do Pilates, and find that I do get full-on cramp very easily. Some weeks there's barely a leg exercise I can do that does not result in cramp in one muscle or another. In the meantime, the cramp-like pains started to extend to be occasionally in the arms.
I was taking an anti-cholinergic medication called Tolterodine, and thought that this might be casung the problem. My GP suggested I stop taking it, and that's when the fasciculations started. Also the cramp-like pains extended to the calf, foot, upper leg, glutes and elsewhere. Electrolyte problems have been eliminated as a possible cause, by the way.
Now here is the problem. I now have less than four weeks before my 10k race. I need to train, but I am finding it very difficult to know whether I am risking injury. Last week during a hill session I ran through an ankle pain, only to discover that I did have a minor sprain (now better, happily).
My physio can't help. My GP has referred me to a neuro, but the appointment is not until two days afer my race.
So, my question is this: can any of you who suffer the cramp pains offer me any advice? I'm on the horns of a dilemma here. If I train I stand the chance of not being able to race because of injury. If I don't, I'm afraid I may not get round the hilly course. Does any of you have a magic cure for the crampy thing?
A year ago, aged 52, I quit smoking. I also started exercising. In November I started running. I signed up for a charity 10km race which is on Sep 9th as a way of celebrating a year off the cigarettes. I have had a couple of problems, most notably tendinitis in the shins. I have been receiving excellent care from a physio and this problem is solved.
However, I soon started experiencing random lower leg pains. It became apparent that these were caused by "mini-cramps" - uncommanded muscle contractions. I slowly learned to differentiate between pains that I could ignore and pains that I shouldn't. I also do Pilates, and find that I do get full-on cramp very easily. Some weeks there's barely a leg exercise I can do that does not result in cramp in one muscle or another. In the meantime, the cramp-like pains started to extend to be occasionally in the arms.
I was taking an anti-cholinergic medication called Tolterodine, and thought that this might be casung the problem. My GP suggested I stop taking it, and that's when the fasciculations started. Also the cramp-like pains extended to the calf, foot, upper leg, glutes and elsewhere. Electrolyte problems have been eliminated as a possible cause, by the way.
Now here is the problem. I now have less than four weeks before my 10k race. I need to train, but I am finding it very difficult to know whether I am risking injury. Last week during a hill session I ran through an ankle pain, only to discover that I did have a minor sprain (now better, happily).
My physio can't help. My GP has referred me to a neuro, but the appointment is not until two days afer my race.
So, my question is this: can any of you who suffer the cramp pains offer me any advice? I'm on the horns of a dilemma here. If I train I stand the chance of not being able to race because of injury. If I don't, I'm afraid I may not get round the hilly course. Does any of you have a magic cure for the crampy thing?