Midnight Calf Cramps

S

Safeboy43

0
Hey,

Have any of you guys ever had one of those cramps in your calf? They last any ware from 10-20 seconds and they hurt like a son of a b*tch! I always get them at night whenever I take a day off, most notably from running. Yesterday night was bad. I must've been up about 7 times almost screaming in agony.

Would anybody be able to tell me what causes these and how to prevent them?

Thanks in advance, :eek:
Safeboy43
 
That can happen if you have a potassium deficiency. Add some to your diet. Bananas and broccoli are loaded with potassium. Also make sure you are fully hydrated.
 
I thought I was the only sucker who got them!!! I haven't had them recently but I have had midnight calf cramps and hamstring cramps which I think are even more painful!
 
Yep, SXI is right. Cramping in the absence of physical activity is a sign of potassium deficiency.

If you try to up the potassium in your diet and keep well hydrated and are still suffering from cramping, then you should probably see your physician, as there are many things that can cause K deficiency.
 
illiniphase4 said:
Yep, SXI is right. Cramping in the absence of physical activity is a sign of potassium deficiency.

If you try to up the potassium in your diet and keep well hydrated and are still suffering from cramping, then you should probably see your physician, as there are many things that can cause K deficiency.
Click to expand...

Hmm thank you. That's very odd as I drink water like crazy (8 - 10 glasses per day), eat at least five or six servings of green and orange veggies a day and have like 4 bananas a day if we have them around (You could see why they aren't around long :D )

At first I thought it might have been that I hadn't "stretched" the muscles by exercising that day and they were not relaxed upon resting. Perhaps it is a K deficiency. I will work on getting some more of that in.

Thanks very much!,
Safeboy43
 
One thing you might consider. I had that begin happening a few years ago--every night, cramps in my calves that were very painful. I finally went and saw a doctor who ran some tests and found out that my thyroid had stopped working right and wasn't producing enough hormone naturally. Once I began taking thyroid medication all the cramps stopped. Other symptoms I had that were associated with that were fatigue, rapid weight gain, and the loss of body hair on my legs mostly. So if you think you're getting enough potassium, then you should probably see a physician, if not to find what's wrong, at least to find out what's not wrong.
 
I have these too. I usually wake up like a second before they actually happen, and when I feel one coming on, I just clench the hell out of my shin muscle (the opposite of the calf, not sure of it's name) and then my calf can't crap. Just hold that for 20-30 seconds and slowly relax it and you'll avoid them when they do happen.
 
I used to get leg cramps in bed when I was younger, like in college. I really never do anymore.

Muscle cramps, from what I've read, are also caused by magnesium deficiencies. Green vegetables, especially salad greens (like Swiss chard) and spinach, are good sources of magnesium.
 
If you can find a reputable source that says why cramps occur I will eat my shoe because as far as I know no one has found physiolgically why they occur.

I got some in my calfs a couple of weeks ago but I rarely get cramp.
 
I am up posting right now at 4:30am because after 2 hours of sleep I got one in my FOOT (always do) and here I am. They suck!
 
OMG...the pain is just incredible, the muscle just cramps-up & tightens like it's gonna pull a tendon off the bone! I've had 'em so bad that I'm limping for a couple days afterwards!

Aside from any hormonal or neurological issues:

Hydrate
Dabble with some of that recovery-drink stuff, electrolytes must be maintained!
Potassium
Magnesium
Stretch well after working-out and just before bed
Jacuzzi jet on back of calves, good after exercise or before bed
Massage on calves to really break-up & loosen muscle

If you can get a tottsie-roll pillow or ball, lay on the floor with your back down. Place the roll or ball under your calves and roll back & forth to massage the muscle. You want to encourage blood-flow, muscle tension release and general circulation.

I have not done this, but I have thought to use some velcro bands around the calves placed loosely just to help restrict muscle contraction in the event of sudden cramping.

I have very large calves, and when they cramp....I almost wish someone would use a 2x4 and knock me out; the pain is just unbearable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My wife doesn't take me serious anymore when I cry-out for cramp massage in the middle of the night, I played the ****-cramp one too many times.:eek:
 
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