Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 9/2/2008

Question
Please help I can't stand the constant pain cramps and never knowing when I will have a spasm.
I have cirrhosis secondary to autoimmune hepatitis. I am taking furesmide and spiralactone (diretics).  I believe my cramping is from these two meds.  But the doctors don't know.  I was wondering if you knew what could help.  I have tried magnesium  Would getting massages and chiropractic care help.  I have two ruptured herniated disc C3 & C4 and my hips get out of alignment.

Answer
cirrhosis, hepatitis, pain, cramps, spasm, medications, herniated discs,

Hello Shirley,

Sorry to hear of your conditions, sorry to hear of your leg cramps, spasms in shins and calfs.

First, as a Doctor of Chiropractic I readily refer questions on medications to Doctors of Medicine.  MDs are the experts on drugs.
Spironolactone and Furosemide questions should be referred to your drug specialists- the MDs.

From a public source: the book  "worst pills/ best pills" I will quote some information- you could find this on line or the library.

Furosemide (lasix): Heat stress alert-drink more fluids in heat.  Thiamine Deficiency- significant B1 is lost in urine with lasix. consult with physician, daily dose of 50 milligrams thiamine recommended. signs of potassium loss: irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps, muscle pain, tiredness or weakness.  ppgs 67- 68 "worst pills / best pills"  2005, Sidney Wolfe, MD.

Spironolactone (aldactone): ppgs 74- 75.  Heat stress alert.  Black Box Warning- spironolactone has been shown to cause tumors in rats. Spironolactone can cause kidney failure, retention of potassium, muscle paralyisis, mental confusion in older adults. signs of potassium imbalance: confusion, anxiety, irregular heartbeat, numbness, tingling, tiredness, weakness, heavy legs.

Perhaps your leg cramps/ spasms could be coming from these drugs. Check with your MDs.

Massage and Chiropractic should help.  Both are natural approaches to health that remove stress from your body, and build health.  Your Doctor of Chiropractic could be helpful with supplement advice as well.

Chiropractic will help with the C3 C4 disc herniations and the hip alignment.  Give your local DC a call.

Information I hand out in my office:

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Disk   Herniation

Herniated  disk  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   However,  the course of the condition is highly variable.   Some patients with a herniated disk literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar MRI findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.  

Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Although the course is highly variable, there are certain steps that are always helpful to follow:  Ice the area when painful-  10/ 15minutes on, 30/ 45 minutes off;  avoid certain postures and movements;  bend the knees when coughing or sneezing;  bend the knees when lifting anything;  do not extend legs straight out when sitting, laying down, lifting, or driving.   Avoiding certain movements and postures will prevent aggravation of the condition.   Practicing good postures and movement patterns will help the condition heal and be less painful.

Disk  Herniation  is often caused by, or often  concurrent with the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

         Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

Subluxation  is  a  serious  condition  identified  by  its  five  parts:
    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
    Pathophysiology:
         The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.   
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.     Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-   mechanical-   problem  requires  a   mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine

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I hope this helps, I wish you good luck and Good Health Narurally!, your Staten Island Chiropractor signing off,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com      (email newsletter)
http://www.GoodHealthNaturally.info