Leg Cramps At Night - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

heartlandguy · 05-06-2005, 05:20 PM

I have a slight tendency to get calf cramps when I cycle but a couple gulps of Gatorade suppress the cramps. This happens even though I eat a large banana daily.

Frequently at bedtime or in the middle of the night, I get a painful cramp in the calf or sometimes in the thigh. Walking around and eating another banana suppresses the cramp in 5-10 minutes.

Any suggestions to prevent the nighttime cramps?

Nixona · 05-06-2005, 07:02 PM

I think it's got something to do with your sodium or potassium levels being low or out of baland. Bananas are high in potassium and gaotorade has lots of sodium.

heartlandguy · 05-07-2005, 07:08 AM

That's probably right. I'm looking for a way to keep everything in balance. I certainly want to avoid excessively high levels of sodium. Also, I think I read somewhere that too much potassium is problematic. What's a good way to gauge when the levels are right?

goody2shuz · 05-07-2005, 11:14 AM

Of course Goody had to jump in here and I'm sure you knew that I would step up to the plate, my friend

Sounds like it's a low potassium thing~hypokalemia.....a banana, potatoes with skins, spinach & orange juice are good things you can use to replenish potasisum loss which usually comes after excesisve exercise and sweating. If you are on a water pill such as lasix this can further add to the problem and you should talk to your doctor if that is the case. Also, if you experience skipped heartbeats it is something you should definitely see your doctor about.....but doing as you did and getting relief is the way to go. I would add a good glass of OJ and more than the banana if this goes on until you find the nightly leg cramps relieved. You won't take in too much potasium via your diet.....it's when you take it in powder form that you may overindulge. Hope this helps out.....BTW, you may be losing potassium by sweating it up doing the pet project

Take it easy, my friend......Goody

heartlandguy · 05-07-2005, 01:45 PM

Thanks, Goody.

I do take a diuretic combo pill for hypertension once daily, Triamterene 37.5mg/Hctz 25mg. What kind of response should I expect from a doctor when I bring this up? I want to sound convincing.

Also, I bought some 90 mg potassium tablets last month but haven’t figured out how to incorporate them into my daily diet or exercise regime. What would you suggest, my friend?