Everybody varies on this stuff but we all get some sort of symptoms...

For cramps--one of my clients tried an over the counter muscle spray on her cramps one night and it worked! My PT clients are encouraged to have "Stoppain" around in case they wake up sore the day after we work out...apparently the stuff works on cramps. It's at Walgreen's and it's about $8.00. The good thing about this product is that you spray it, wait about 5-8 minutes and the smell is gone with no smeary or oily stuff left on the skin and doesn't hurt clothes.

Calcium--there is a new calcium product that a rep was handing out at my local bike shop called Sportslegs (www.sportslegs.com).
I take it the day before and morning of a ride. Seems as if it helps me with the leg-lag thing. I like it.

Drinking--yeah, yeah, I know a little wine helps thin the blood and I've been known to take a jigger to feel "normal" during my period, BUT, drinking the night before a ride really messes with your liver balance. The liver stores the glycogen and helps with the sugars so that when you wake up, you can move your muscles without cramping. So, if you drink, the liver is dealing with more than it's usual stuff, plus the period. I find it makes a difference to not have any wine and rely on asprin, rest, plans for the ride.

As far as age goes, oh heck, we're all gonna' dry up someday!
And I never had problems, PSM, cramps until my late 40's either.
In fact, I never had ANY of that stuff until just recently...it sucks.
Terry