Solution to leg cramps

I have found (at various times) that all of the following lead to leg cramps for me: Dehydration Cold water Anaerobic sets (the cramps show up in the following aerobic set) Hard kick sets (the cramps show up in the following swim) Sudden increases in distance swum pregnancy chemo The first thing is to avoid the triggers. (Keep hydrated, increase swim distances slowly, etc.) I have also had luck taking Enduralyte to make the cramps go away. There are other products as well.

When the leg cramps come after a lot of flutter kicking, I do 100 ***. the flexing of the kick loosens up the leg muscles.

Magnesium works. Use it for intensive swim camps worked each time

I've been getting tons of cramps lately. They often start in my toes, progress to my arches, then move up to the calf muscles and--after tennis--into some weird muscles on the inside of the upper thighs (weird in the sense that it is almost impossible to figure our what the opposing muscle is for these, and thus you can't do the old trick of contracting the opposing muscle to relieve the cramp.) A couple years ago, I read something on pickle juice in the New York Times and have been planning to give it a try. I will post back after a week or so of imbibing. How much should you take, and when should you take it? I found one site that gives prescriptive advice: about two ounces of pickle juice about 10 minutes before exercise begins. Here's an excerpt: Sidebar - A Shot A Day We have been using pickle juice to prevent and treat muscle cramps at the University of Northern Iowa for the past three years. Primarily, the athletic training staff has used it as a last resort in treating or preventing exercise-associated muscle cramps. When all of the previously mentioned preventive techniques—proper conditioning, nutrition and hydration, and stretching—have been tried and have failed, we add pickle juice to the athlete’s pregame regimen. We have found that by giving two ounces of pickle juice to the athlete 10 minutes before exercise, even the most chronic cramper can remain cramp-free during high-intensity exercise. Pickle juice also seems to effectively treat acute muscle cramps. We first found this out when an athlete who was on a pickle-juice regimen forgot to take his dose before a game. When he suffered severe bilateral cramps in his gastrocnemius, he was taken out of the game and given two ounces of pickle juice. The cramps were completely gone within 30 seconds. We have tried this technique with other athletes and found it to be universally effective, with the great majority of cramps not recurring. Usually, two ounces of pickle juice will treat and prevent any cramp. There have been a few situations where the athlete was suffering from muscle cramps in more than one area, or the cramp was in a large muscle group, like the abdomen, and he or she was then given additional pickle juice. It is imperative that the athletic trainer advise the athlete to continue hydrating, keep a balanced diet, and to take pickle juice in moderation. Additionally, we have treated muscle cramps by giving two ounces of straight vinegar to athletes who were experiencing an exercise-associated muscle cramp. It was found that the involuntary contraction went away in 15 to 30 seconds and did not recur. Although the straight vinegar has worked, it is very difficult for athletes to consume straight vinegar. Pickle juice is more palatable and has been accepted better by the athletes. Vinegar is the obvious common ingredient in both mustard (which is used by some athletic trainers) and pickle juice. But, as yet, there is no experimental research that has explained the mechanism of how these treatments work. You can read the whole thing at www.momentummedia.com/.../cramps.htm

If the cramps seem to be mostly in her calves have her try 1/4" heel lift in her running shoes. The foot motion of swimming and running are totally opposite and can totally confuse the achilles and calf muscles. If she has a rigid foot (high arches that tend to supinate) a full length soft orthotic with high arch support could help. A slip-lasted, curve-lasted shoe would help too. Good luck :)!

Speaking from experience, potassium can really help with leg cramps. It is very important to get the potassium from food sources. Cantaloupe, bananas, orange juice and milk are all great choices. I run a lot and usually consume 3 different servings of potassium rich foods a day. If you up your potassium intake (again, food sources, not supplements) you should notice a difference quickly. Also, make sure you are drinking enough water.

For me, leg cramps while I'm swimming is the best predictor of high TSH and a need for an increase in meds.

Magnesium works. Use it for intensive swim camps worked each time Magnesium also does work. Be advised, do not buy magnesium citrate. It is a laxative. People have made this mistake before, don't be one of them haha.

www.usms.org/.../articledisplay.php Do you like HEED? I've tried various sports drinks and found them to be okay, but eating a banana to be simpler.

Hi Bruce, I really hope someone has a solution that helps her - whether it is fruit, supplements, insoles pickle juice. But, with that said - she may be stuck with them. I don't want to sound pessimistic, but I sure feel that I am stuck with my cramps. I have suffered from toe cramps since I swam age group. I would often have to get out and stretch my feet/toes. Now I'm a bit older (52) and I still suffer. Mostly toe cramps (and up into the calf). Some days I cramp the quads and others the hamstrings - but mostly that'll be towards the end of a long set where I did more kicking than usual. But, mostly it is in my toes and arches - kicking set then pull set w/ a buoy is a sure way to set it off. I am a stomach sleeper. I now sleep with my feet over the end of the bed instead of flat out behind me. I often stand behind my chair at work with the balls of my feet up on the caster "arms" of my chair, stretching my calves. I can stand bent at the waste and step on my fingers - can't put my palms flat on the floor - but, still not bad flexibility in the legs & still I cramp. I say all that 'cause I have tried many things. From Steve Born's article, linked to by Lump, I wonder if I don't have "Inherited abnormalities of substrate metabolism" I swim 3500 yds/day x 6. I've been working with my doctor to try to deal with this. I take a prescription potassium, otc calcium, magnesium. I drink water as soon as I get out of bed, eat, then swim then have chocolate milk. I can take water, or not, while swimming and still have cramps. I'm certainly not shy on food sources - today's intake included 2 bananas, 1 orange and an apple. My average is actually one of each but the bananas were getting over ripe! :banana: I've not tried the pickle juice and will give it a shot. Fortunately 2oz is probably not enough to cause gastric distress while swimming - so where is my little shot glass of pj? Any one have any thoughts on adding the pickle juice to the hydration water? Home made pickle-aid! :D I've not cut out my evening beer or wine, but as pwb noted that could be a cause, now - I can't blame consumption on cramping when I swam age group! I haven't had a drop today, so that experiment is started. Funny thing, my cramping problem is all leg, calf, arch, foot. I've never had arm or shoulder cramp problems even with long pull sets with paddles - Weird. I wish her the best of luck and maybe someone will post a magic bullet! I'll be following this thread and will post my results on no alcohol and yes to pj. Cheers, PT