From time to time I come across new Alpha friends who have been diagnosed with A1AD, and they are new to the various treatments, and I would like to share one today.
As is well known, when the lungs deteriorate, the survival mode of the body will take protein from the skeletal muscle system to use it to rebuild lung tissue, to allow a person to keep breathing. During the time when the body is in this state, the skeletal muscles weaken significantly, and many times will experience extreme muscle cramps that can put a person on the ground screaming in pain. To combat this, ensure that you get regular protein intake, and do not consume protein with sugar; the blood will first carry sugar, which will not allow the protein to get to the muscles, nor to rebuild the lung tissue. It is important to continue on a daily exercise routine, to constantly be keeping your muscles strong.
Should the muscles cramp, I use a fairly strong muscle relaxant. In fact, I try to take it when I feel the cramp coming on, before it strikes. If I do not catch it early enough, I beg someone to straighten my leg, or whatever muscle, and stretch the muscle, massaging it until the cramp releases. If the muscles deteriorate so much that it is your ribcage that cramps, then try to stay as calm as possible, and breath with your diaphragm while you wait for your ribcage to release. Try to hold onto something and get to the floor as soon as possible, to prevent head trama. Be sure that whoever is with you knows what to do, and how to help you.
Of course, it is always better to prevent those situations. Keep your bloodstream carrying protein, avoid sugar and processed carbohydrates, and carry your muscle relaxants and emergency medications with you at all times.
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