HELP! Calf Cramps

[CorsairMac]

Ok ladies - I love all the support everyone has given to - well - everyone and now I need some help. I'm a commuter biker, runner, hiker and I lift weights. My ride home from work everyday is 6 miles uphill - about 1300'+/-. (OK Everything in Albuquerque is either uphill 1000'+/- or down hill 1000'+/- wheeee) I noticed on Tues that my left calf started feeling like it would cramp. By Wed night I was massaging the heck out of it. Both calves are feeling tight and this morning during my run my right calf tried to cramp. Anyone got any ideas why they're doing that and what I can do to prevent it? I do stretches - whole body - with focus on the calves right now and I don't wear pumps or heels so thats not an issue. I do have to be careful with recovery foods because I'm gluton intolerent so I can't tolerate most complex carbs. Open to any ideas/suggestion/similar experiences! And thanks in advance for the help & support!

[Trek420]

can you tolerate bananas? potassium in vitamin form? I find when I don't get enough I'll cramp.

[JanT]

Calcium is important, too. And given your location and level of exercise, make sure you're drinking, drinking, drinking water. When I don't drink enough, and when I'm really tired physically (too much work, not enough sleep, and exercise on top) I tend to cramp more. So, I continue to exercise, drink more, remember to take my vitamins. That helps me; hope it works for you. If you add the bananas, potassium, calcium, and hydration, and continue to cramp, you probably should consult your doctor. Good luck!

[CorsairMac]

thank you, thank you, thank you!...Jan...yes I drink drink drink!...I prolly drink more than I should and on the days I mix all three events I drink an eletrolyte mix - but it may not be enough! I did take some extra calcium Wed night but both you N Trek made a wonderful point - I may be burning more than I'm replacing! (ok..that would be a duh but sometimes you need to get hit over the head with it!)......I'm going to try increasing actually 3 things - potassium, calcium and magnesium and I prolly need to start carrying the electrolyte mix in my water bottle. It only takes 1/2 hr to get home...but thats climbing all the way! Thanks so much for the "hit in the head"....I'll let you know how it works!

[CorsairMac]

Jan - I just saw your location!.....I moved here from Chandler originally (to Chandler from Indiana) and I want to get Back to AZ so bad!.....New Mexico gets too cold for me in the winter (yeah, whiney baby here) - I LOVE the heat!....counting the years until I can get back to AZ!

[KkAllez]

I've had trouble with cramps in my left calf. I had a doppler run to rule out thrombophlebitis. What I figured out studying the meds I am on is that the birth control pills I took to fix my periods were clashing with the Advair, that caused the periods to get screwy in the first place. Advair can also cause thrombophlebitis, leg cramps, and edema.

You might want to check any meds you are taking and see if that may be the problem. My leg is still sore but I am hoping that things will clear up soon.

And here is something I learned from SCUBA diving: as soon as you feel that leg cramp pull your toes up. Pointing toes will make it worse. Dorsiflexion stretches out the muscle and stops the cramping.

[fultzie]

wow-- i never knew that about Advair. creepy... i had read about some other side affects (and knew about the screwy period bit). does it matter what concentration it is?

[CorsairMac]

actually I can't take Advair - or any other steriodal inhaler. It makes me lose my voice. I am on several allergy meds but the leg cramps didn't start until I started back into cycling. I've since increased my calcium - which makes me sleepy (sometimes ya just can't win), my potassium and my magnesium and the leg cramps are getting much better. I also invested in clipless pedals this weekend which seems to help because now I seem to be using my whole legs more - if that makes sense. That is interesting to note tho about the Advair - I have a friend who IS on it and shes also on the Depo shot. I'm going to pass that info along as a - FYI!