Muscle cramps during night AFTER a ride

[brok]

Try increasing your potassium intake also

[tulip]

Potassium. Bananas.

[CorsairMac]

and calcium. I get calf cramps really bad when I don't have enough calcium....and I would suggest using a supplement instead of trying to get it through eating, coz you're probably losing more potassium and calcium than you can replace with just food.

[TsPoet]

and calcium. I get calf cramps really bad when I don't have enough calcium....and I would suggest using a supplement instead of trying to get it through eating, coz you're probably losing more potassium and calcium than you can replace with just food.

I'm with CorsairMac - calcium suppliment (not Tums or anything else, a true suppliment) with a full glass of water. I like Citrical, but I'm sure any well-absorbed calcium suppliment would work, at least 400 mg.

[SandyGirl]

Oh great. I ran out of my bananas Monday! Sure hope I don't cramp up tonight....

[Running Mommy]

Sounds like magnesium to me.. Have you tried supplementing mag? Slo mag works the best. I have a HUGE problem w/ this. It sounds like your salt is in line, but potasium and mag may need to be supplemented. Try the mag first tho. I have a non athletic friend who wakes up at night with HORRIBLE leg cramps if she doesn't supplement magnesium. But don't take potasium and magnesium at the same time if you try both... Just a heads up.

[CorsairMac]

Sounds like magnesium to me.. Have you tried supplementing mag? Slo mag works the best. I have a HUGE problem w/ this. It sounds like your salt is in line, but potasium and mag may need to be supplemented. Try the mag first tho. I have a non athletic friend who wakes up at night with HORRIBLE leg cramps if she doesn't supplement magnesium. But don't take potasium and magnesium at the same time if you try both... Just a heads up.

yup - but do take Mag and Cal at the same time as they help each other with your bodys absorption.

[RoadRaven]

Potassium. Bananas.

Mmmmm... my partner gets cramp whenever he has supplements that are loaded with potassium.... but potassium seems to help me. Mebbe a male/female difference?

Calcium is very important like Corsair says - despite it being associated with bone strength, calcium really helps my recovery (roll on chocolate milk!!!)

[maillotpois]

I am so glad to see this thread!! In the last few months I have been having wake-me-up at night calf and occasionally thigh cramps. Not necessarily right after a ride, and I think some of it has to do with dehydration (got the worst one ever yesterday morning after being on a red-eye home from the east coast - and I know I wasn't drinking enough such that my feet swelled up!).

I eat a lot of salt anyway, and generally hydrate well on riding and non-riding days. I can't take a calcuim supplement at night because that would interfere with my thyroid stuff, but I generally take one in the a.m. and drink plenty of fortified soy milk. Anyway, I will try the vinegar and see if that helps.