Cramps...in your shin?

[Cycle-swim]

I’ve spent hours online reading about leg cramps, causes, etc. While it appears many get them during their ride in the calf, I get them about six hours later in my shin. I guess one would identify the muscle group as the tibialis.

Ultimately what happens is I’ll wake up late at night/early morning with a cramp. Usually it’s in one leg (rarely both legs simultaneously). The cramp doesn’t jolt me out of bed like a calf cramp might, this cramp simply causes my foot to sort of contort and bend. While I don’t jump out of bed immediately, ultimately I do get up because it almost becomes unbearable: so I get up to apply my body weight on my foot to “stretch” or “pull” the muscle to make the cramp go away. And then I quickly try to fall back asleep! :-)

But then, the cramp will either come back again within an hour or so, or worse, happen in the other leg! Never at the same time…

While I do take supplements, especially magnesium to help better absorb the potassium, nothing seems to help. Sometimes when I “catch” the cramp early enough, I’ll rest my other leg on top of my cramping leg to “prevent” the muscles from contorting my foot. I’m thinking about getting some blood work done to measure my nutrients.

Anyone else here had, or heard of such an occurrence? Everyone I’ve talked to about this to date have all looked at me like I’m crazy… :-)

 

[CXRAndy]

Nothing wrong with getting blood done. Don't be too surprised if they don't highlight a deficiency

Have you thought of taking a little bit of salt too?

I usually get calf, or hamstring cramps after a hard ride.

My last couple of rides, I've taken a little bit of salt in my drinks and coincidentally not had any cramps 🙏

 

[Cycle-swim]

Nothing wrong with getting blood done. Don't be too surprised if they don't highlight a deficiency

Have you thought of taking a little bit of salt too?

I usually get calf, or hamstring cramps after a hard ride.

My last couple of rides, I've taken a little bit of salt in my drinks and coincidentally not had any cramps 🙏

Salt is an interesting possibility. I am notorius for eating very little salt; I'm one of those who believe there's already plenty of salt in the food we eat (processed, preserved foods, etc.). Problem is: I eat food from scratch. So it's not like I'm getting much sodium from fast food. Even fluids: I might have a Coke once or twice a year. Otherwise it's mostly water that I drink...

How much is "a little bit of salt" in your fluids? Are we talking 35 mg. or...?

 

[vickster]

Try an electrolyte tablet in your water and see if it helps?

 

[CXRAndy]

I just sprinkle a bit in a litre of water, so you can taste it. Try it, it won't do any harm to take it a couple of times as an experiment.

If your cramps abate, it's a success.

 

[gavroche]

Don't know if this simple task will help but I drink a full glass of water before going to bed and I get less cramps as a result. It is not 100% foolproof and it certainly helps.

 

[Cycle-swim]

Don't know if this simple task will help but I drink a full glass of water before going to bed and I get less cramps as a result. It is not 100% foolproof and it certainly helps.

That would make sense -- to drink a glass of water before bed -- as I do sweat alot while biking. Even if it doesn't help w/ cramps, people tend to be dehydrated to begin with... Thanks for the reminder!

 

[Cycle-swim]

I just sprinkle a bit in a litre of water, so you can taste it. Try it, it won't do any harm to take it a couple of times as an experiment.

If your cramps abate, it's a success.

Will try that today! To be honest, on occasion I love to purchase some good mineral water (the saltier more 'minerally' they are the better). Might be my body craving something it needs... Thx!

 

[Cycle-swim]

I just sprinkle a bit in a litre of water, so you can taste it. Try it, it won't do any harm to take it a couple of times as an experiment.

If your cramps abate, it's a success.

True. I'll give it a week or so and see what happens...

 

[Cycle-swim]

Try an electrolyte tablet in your water and see if it helps?

The obvious is sometimes forgotten! (i.e. Gatorade) So much perspiration...not only water is lost...but also minerals.

 

[vickster]

The obvious is sometimes forgotten! (i.e. Gatorade) So much perspiration...not only water is lost...but also minerals.

Just drop a SIS or high5 tablet or similar in in your preferred flavour in your water bottle (I wouldn't drink anything the colour of antifreeze like Gatorade )

 

[CXRAndy]

I know that all these electrolytes sachets contain the perfect balance of salts, minerals, essential micro nutrients.

But the major ingredient is salt. Here is a Hi5 tabs nutrients details

 

[CXRAndy]

Gatorade is loaded with sugar, fine if you're training at high intensities, but really not recommended as they're addictive for all the sugar they contain

 

[CXRAndy]

The obvious is sometimes forgotten! (i.e. Gatorade) So much perspiration...not only water is lost...but also minerals.

Terrible product, might as well use Redbull coz they're really good for you

 

[vickster]

Gatorade is loaded with sugar, fine if you're training at high intensities, but really not recommended as they're addictive for all the sugar they contain

Can get sugar-free in the US but still still the colour of antifreeze (and obviously sugar replaced by aspartame or similar)!