anyone get leg cramps?

[Chazmo]

Hi gang,

I was wondering if any of you get leg cramps during the night when you’ve ridden during the day… On average, I’m on the bike about 1.5 - 2 hours when I ride.

I occasionally get hamstring cramps at night (sleeping) which are sometimes a bit shocking and they can takes about 15-20 seconds standing up to straighten out and shake it out before I get standing up straight again as the cramp subsides completely. Usually it’s only one leg; I’m trying to remember if I’ve had a two-leg cramp… not sure. I tend to sleep with my knees bent. Not exactly fetal position, but usually not straight-legged.

I don’t think the issue is hydration as I drink a lot of fluids and I do take in a lot of salt/electrolytes. It could certainly be related to my meds (BP, cholesterol, diabetes type 2). But, whatever causes it it’s not consistent and it’s not enough of a worry for me to concern myself about it with my doctor. I don’t remember having leg cramps at night when I was a younger guy. I rode far less frequently, but I also rode a lot harder (all pre-ebike MTB stuff).

 

[Roamers]

My wife and I get leg cramps periodically. Reduced frequency after drinking Tonic (even without Gin). Dr. told my wife MgO supplements also helps.

 

[Bicyclista]

I have similar symptoms. One leg falls asleep and becomes painful. Getting up and walking around relieves the pain. I end sleeping less. But it's not necessarily on the days I have ridden my bike. It's random, about 3 or 4 nights a week. A doctor thought it was sciatica and prescribed physical therapy. The therapist gave me some exercises but they did not help. Now my primary care doctor thinks it might be a side effect of Crestor (Rosuvastatin), a drug I have been taking for years to control cholesterol. One of the factors for this side effect is age, and I am not getting younger. I am stopping Crestor for 14 days. Do you take a statin? If so, consult your doctor.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Best thing to do along with hydration is stretching. Touch those toes.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I don’t remember having leg cramps at night when I was a younger guy.

Nocturnal lower extremity cramps like that are pretty common in older adults, and the hamstrings are commom offenders. I wouldn't be too quick to blame yours on your riding.

Used to be thought that upping dietary potassium with foods like bananas helped, but can't say it had any effect during my fling with these @$^&%^*! cramps. Not sure why mine started or stopped, but they sure did hurt. Wasn't riding or running at the time.

Might be worth at least a cheap video visit with a doc to see if management's evolved since my time in medicine. Especially if you're losing sleep over it.

As always, believe NOTHING medical on the internet. The volume of mis- and outright disinformation is truly staggering — and potentially quite dangerous. Medicine strives to be a rational evidence-based science. Not perfect by any means, but a vastly better bet than any internet advice.

 

[harryS]

In the winter, when riding less, the cramps at night were really bad. A hot shower on the legs helped, if I was able to hobble over to the tub. I can't recall them happening at night since last winter, I think spinning the pedals must help keep the legs looser.

They used to suddenly occur after a round of golf, driving home in my six speed. Couldn't work the clutch. Awful.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Nocturnal lower extremity cramps like that are pretty common in older adults, and the hamstrings are commom offenders. I wouldn't be too quick to blame yours on your riding.

Used to be thought that upping dietary potassium with foods like bananas helped, but can't say it had any effect during my fling with these @$^&%^*! cramps. Not sure why mine started or stopped, but they sure did hurt. Wasn't riding or running at the time.

Might be worth at least a cheap video visit with a doc to see if management's evolved since my time in medicine. Especially if you're losing sleep over it.

As always, believe NOTHING medical on the internet. The volume of mis- and outright disinformation is truly staggering — and potentially quite dangerous. Medicine strives to be a rational evidence-based science. Not perfect by any means, but a vastly better bet than any internet advice.

Well I've never heard anything negative said about stretching from doctors, physical therapist, trainers. It's not a cure but a therapy and common sense needs to be exercised as well. Hell even my 98yr old mom is encouraged to stretch by her Healthcare professionals for general muscle health.
And what about internet medical websites? See Management and Treatment and then Prevention.

Leg Cramps

Leg cramps are sudden, painful, involuntary muscle contractions. Learn how to prevent and treat them.

my.clevelandclinic.org

Muscle Cramp

Simple self-care measures such as gentle stretching can usually treat muscle cramps.

osteopathic.org

Not saying that you should take any information as gospel... But consensus is just that.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Before getting back into cycling I used to get cramps at night after jumping around on stage at practice and gigs. Still get them but less frequently. Been trying to stretch more and eat bananas.

 

[teskow]

Magnesium at bedtime seems to help me as does tonic water.

 

[CanNik]

no never

 

[Chazmo]

Good thoughts, guys. I appreciate it. It’s good to know I’m not the only one who has these.

Nocturnal lower extremity cramps like that are pretty common in older adults, and the hamstrings are commom offenders. I wouldn't be too quick to blame yours on your riding.

Fair enough, Jeremy. Whether or not it’s due to riding I can’t say for sure, but I think it correlates for the most part. I’ll have to pay a little bit more attention.

They used to suddenly occur after a round of golf,

Hey, Harry. I don’t get hit with cramps so quickly after a ride. It’s hours later, when I’m sleeping that I get them, usually right after I’ve awakened already for some reason (bathroom, noise, whatever). I’m guessing in your case that with golf you’re tweaking some muscle group in a way that just doesn’t normally get exercised in your daily regime. I guess the cramping is a direct relationship to that. But, again, I’m just guessing.

Been trying to stretch more and eat bananas.

Magnesium

Sounds like good advice, guys. I’ll have to look up foods that have Mg., teskow.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I don't get them often at all... but when I do it's usually at night after some type of exertion.
Now this is internet medicine... but I feel when I exert myself but don't use my muscles to their full range of motion is when it's more probable.
Your magnesium levels may vary....

 

[6zfshdb]

I frequently get nighttime leg cramps after a extended ride. For me anyway, it appears to be a potassium deficiency. I can alleviate the cramps considerably if I stay hydrated and snack on a banana sometime during the ride.

 

[fooferdoggie]

feel lucky my leg cramps are from eating fat. All my muscle soreness comes from fat. 30+ years of nighttime leg cramps. a crap ton of water at night helped but that was at least 32oz then I had to add more water and magnesium, and then potassium I got from unsweetened almond milk with my fiber. once I found fat was the use, cutting way back almost eliminated them. my muscles have acted for 40 years now they don't of I control my fat intake pretty heavily.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I frequently get nighttime leg cramps after a extended ride. For me anyway, it appears to be a potassium deficiency. I can alleviate the cramps considerably if I stay hydrated and snack on a banana sometime during the ride.

Maybe that's why I don't get them often... I always have bananas in the house.

 

[Brian-s]

Hi gang,

I was wondering if any of you get leg cramps during the night when you’ve ridden during the day… On average, I’m on the bike about 1.5 - 2 hours when I ride.

I occasionally get hamstring cramps at night (sleeping) which are sometimes a bit shocking and they can takes about 15-20 seconds standing up to straighten out and shake it out before I get standing up straight again as the cramp subsides completely. Usually it’s only one leg; I’m trying to remember if I’ve had a two-leg cramp… not sure. I tend to sleep with my knees bent. Not exactly fetal position, but usually not straight-legged.

I don’t think the issue is hydration as I drink a lot of fluids and I do take in a lot of salt/electrolytes. It could certainly be related to my meds (BP, cholesterol, diabetes type 2). But, whatever causes it it’s not consistent and it’s not enough of a worry for me to concern myself about it with my doctor. I don’t remember having leg cramps at night when I was a younger guy. I rode far less frequently, but I also rode a lot harder (all pre-ebike MTB stuff).

I do, but I've got a dvt

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Gee thanks, I just got my first hamstring cramp in years — right after dinner. No riding today, just a typical long beach walk with the dog.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Gee thanks, I just got my first hamstring cramp in years — right after dinner. No riding today, just a typical long beach walk with the dog.

You're welcome mate!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

What about the saddle height, Chazmo? Have you ever set it properly?

 

[Chargeride]

I get crippling cramps on very long rides, ones that actually affect me for days later, anything more than 40 miles at average speeds.
So Ive set alarm at 39 miles,

All I can say, and I dont want to set off doom bells here, its just an observation of a recent conversation.
My mate Dan had leg cramps and night leg aches for a long time.
Turns out he has a very low white blood cell count, they tested for Leukemia etc obviously, nothing.

He had an interview about his general health and they have no suggestions, he is testing perfectly , there is no obvious link to his cramps, could be complete coincidence.