Leg Cramps

[buffalogal]

Does anyone here get extremely painful cramps in the back of their calves everyday? I drink at least 85 oz of water a day (not enough, but more than I used to). I also take a potassium supp. every morning.

In the last two weeks they have gotten worse, to the point of waking me up at night 2 or 3 times. I stretch after every leg workout/HIIT session and it doesn't seem to be helping. I've tried eating bananas hoping that would help, but they affect me too much to eat them often.

Thanks all - any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[nikkita]

maybe you need to take more water.

on the other hand, do you take a multimineral?

 

[serapio2]

let the calve muscle recovers, try not to use them too much for a week, maybe your calves are complaining for the hardwork.

 

[buffalogal]

Thanks Nikkita and serapio.

I do take a multi-vitamin. I think my problem may be related to not drinking enough water. I'll try that along with giving them a rest for awhile and see what happens.

 

[strawberry2]

I was going to ask the same question for you guys:
When I do heavy workouts (weights), some days - more than others, the muscles I'm working out (particularly arms, chest). Therefore, I'm not able to workout to my FULL potential and it frustrates me! I REALLY am wanting to have each workout to be beneficial and able to do all that I can do (like anyone). I do get plenty of rest. And even last night, I had not worked out my triceps for a week, due to a bad bruise that was trying to heal.

Any suggestions as to what might cause these cramps? Or better yet, how I can avoid them to the best of my ability? I will watch my intake of water (even though normally I'm pretty good about that). And I do take at least 5g of L-Glutamine per day.

 

[Sassy69]

Cramping is due generally to:
- not enough water
- not enough potassium
- not enough calcium / magnesium

 

[buffalogal]

Cramping is due generally to:
- not enough water
- not enough potassium
- not enough calcium / magnesium

Thanks Sassy! Wasn't aware of the connection between cramping and calcium/magnesium. I'll try to keep an eye on that, along with upping my water intake.

 

[courtneybcca]

yeah I have the same problem from time to time... sassy is dead on

 

[Mrs.Extra_strong]

Cramping is due generally to:
- not enough water
- not enough potassium
- not enough calcium / magnesium

Yes Hit that one one the head

 

[Extra_Strong]

Yes Hit that one one the head

Damn now that is one hot bitch ;D

 

[Sassy69]

To be specific, magnesium is the cramp issue but it need calcium to absorb better.

 

[gjohnson5]

5 drop of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate sublingual...

 

[gjohnson5]

Works for my allergies anyway

 

[Mrs.Extra_strong]

Damn now that is one hot bitch ;D

big kisses for you!

 

[thelion2005]

I was going to ask the same question for you guys:
When I do heavy workouts (weights), some days - more than others, the muscles I'm working out (particularly arms, chest). Therefore, I'm not able to workout to my FULL potential and it frustrates me! I REALLY am wanting to have each workout to be beneficial and able to do all that I can do (like anyone). I do get plenty of rest. And even last night, I had not worked out my triceps for a week, due to a bad bruise that was trying to heal.

Any suggestions as to what might cause these cramps? Or better yet, how I can avoid them to the best of my ability? I will watch my intake of water (even though normally I'm pretty good about that). And I do take at least 5g of L-Glutamine per day.

I got a beauty of a hammy cramp after a terrific workout.

Traced it back to creatine with too much coffee and not enough water.

If I was getting calf cramps and more in other muscle groups, I'd think about 1 set less and more electolytes.

 

[Extra_Strong]

clen gets me.. cramps in strange places like my neck and suck..

 

[buffalogal]

I got a beauty of a hammy cramp after a terrific workout.

Traced it back to creatine with too much coffee and not enough water.

If I was getting calf cramps and more in other muscle groups, I'd think about 1 set less and more electolytes.

Thanks for all the info guys and gals! I woke up three times last night with cramps in my calf.

This was after I had done sprints earlier in the day. I laid off the real intense calf work and interval training for five days and they still came back with a vengeance. Drank over a gallon of water yesterday as well, and didn't seem to help. Hmmm...

 

[nikkita]

Thanks for all the info guys and gals! I woke up three times last night with cramps in my calf.

This was after I had done sprints earlier in the day. I laid off the real intense calf work and interval training for five days and they still came back with a vengeance. Drank over a gallon of water yesterday as well, and didn't seem to help. Hmmm...

what do you take for calcium/magnesium supplementation?

you need to make sure that your multivitamin includes a multimineral

 

[buffalogal]

what do you take for calcium/magnesium supplementation?

you need to make sure that your multivitamin includes a multimineral

I take Centrum for my multi-vitamin. It contains 162mg calcium and 100mg magnesium. I used to drink a ton of milk but haven't had much in the last few weeks. Maybe I should think about upping that intake again?

 

[thelion2005]

Thanks for all the info guys and gals! I woke up three times last night with cramps in my calf.

This was after I had done sprints earlier in the day. I laid off the real intense calf work and interval training for five days and they still came back with a vengeance. Drank over a gallon of water yesterday as well, and didn't seem to help. Hmmm...

http://www.digitalnaturopath.com/cond/C466089.html

Lots of info here.

 

[buffalogal]

Excellent site!! Thanks so much lion. This is exactly what I was looking for!!

I especially like the following:

Doctors do know that those who are more muscular seem to have more leg cramps.

I think I'll take that as a compliment!