What should I do for an aching leg/cramp?

[DizzyDesii]

I biked for only like an hour each day Mon-Friday. Then Saturday i sat around. Sunday i was at the casino for 6 hours but i was prob only standing for 2-3 hours. I caught a charley horse/leg cramp around 2 this morning while sleeping. It eased up but now that im awake, i can hardly walk. I've been hoppin from room to room. I’ve used heating pads, rubbing alcohol... like what else should i do? Ice pack? Tylenol? This has never lasted more than a few seconds but its going on for hours. #LegCramps #FeelFreeToList #ToCatchACramp

Ice

Heating Pad

Rubbing Alcohol

Take a tylenol

Stretch

Massage

Other

Updates

+1 y

I was hoping to continue exercising on the bike later today. Is that prob not an option?

Updates

+1 y

Thanks everyone! My problem was probably dehydration 🤦‍♀️ I drink 1-3 bottles of water maybe every 2 days. I def skip days 🙈

[Prof_Don]

Eat potassium. Bananas, tomatoes and potatoes are common high sources of potassium.

Stretch your legs (even if u have to lay in bed to do it).

Eat more protein to aid your muscle recovery.

[DizzyDesii]

Thanks

[Prof_Don]

Also forgot to mention... lower your physical activity with your legs. Take a day or two off from cycling 😛

[DizzyDesii]

Thats when the spasm started. I exercised Mon-Fri. Did nothing Saturday/Sunday. Caught a cramp at 2am Monday morning and it lasted until 2am Tuesday morn

[Prof_Don]

That’s because your muscles are recovering & growing. Stretching right after any physical activity with your legs (like cycling) will very likely prevent cramps.

[NightOwl8801]

Stretch it out and massage it little by little...
Drink some pickle juice to help with cramps it almost immediately starts to help.

[DizzyDesii]

I heard pickle juice helps but i hate pickles so i had to suffer a while lol

[NightOwl8801]

Water with alkaline in it should help just as good if you don't like pickles/juice...
Quinine or tonic water can help too

[MORPHEUS_12]

I have muscle aches as well from time to time and I have found that soaking in a bath with magnesium flakes and/or using Theraworx Relief which is a very light solution that comes out of a pump that is foamy. I rub it whenever I hurt and it helps greatly. Even if you are too physically tired to soak in the tub you can use a kitchen dish bin and run hot water and add the magnesium flakes to dissolve and the magnesium will absorb through your feet. Either way they all work.

[DizzyDesii]

Thank you!!

[_food_lover234]

you need to take cod liver oil or omega oils, its good for your joints. I'm a professional dancer and leg cramps are the ordinary for me. my secret weapon, calcium magnesium powder. i get the strawberry lemonade flavor, put it in water and drink before or after an intense workout. magnesium is suppose to be good for your muscles. it also means your depleted in some minerals, and stretch. hope that helps. also fluid.. lots of fluids

[DizzyDesii]

Oh wow thanks! Does magnesium also mean its gonna make me do #2? Lol

[_food_lover234]

haha I don't know, but all i know is it works really well. just read the instructions on the bottle because i think ur not suppose to take it before a meal or something.

[Finchie40]

I am with ya , I been dealing with sharp pain in my right leg for awhile now , it comes and goes , I know exercising is what caused it , it doesn’t hit me everyday. But when it hits its sucks , I been taking Pain pills to take the edge off , the joys of getting older

[DizzyDesii]

Yea i hope i dont have to deal
With this constantly

[FreyaRed]

Ibuprofen instead of tylenol, hot bath for better blood circulation and drinking a lot to get rid of the lactic acid in affected muscles.
Massage could help too, but from someone who is competent in relaxation of muscles, otherwise... Ugh! I won't even imagine the pain

[DizzyDesii]

I think i drank 2-3 bottles of water befoee i felt to bloate to drink anymore. I also took a bath and drank potassium from powerade. I used the heating pad and rubbing alcohol. None worked. I have no bananas or ibuprofen. Im gonna try an icy hot patch but its now 2am the next day and this started 2am yesterday. Im still in pain

[Hans222]

E is the solution, that's in every first aid syllabus. That girl is better in it than us, but stretch the muscle for like 15 seconds and you'll be okay 😁👍
Don't forget to think about the cause... have you had enough to drink? Dehydration is the most common cause of cramps.

[DizzyDesii]

Yea i think im dehydrated

[OlderAndWiser]

Yes, you were probably dehydrated and that can lead to potassium deficiency. Get some potassium pills or capsules (relatively cheap) and take a few every day and the charlie horses will stay away. And, of course. . . stay hydrated!

[DizzyDesii]

Thank you :)

[Jjpayne]

I'd say yes, Tylenol or ice pack, maybe an icy hot wrap too

[DizzyDesii]

Thank you

[Jjpayne]

You're welcome, I had a long day :) and another one coming tommorrow too...

[Flower7]

Tylenol probably won't work for that. You would need an anti-inflammatory like Naproxen or Ibuprofen.

[DizzyDesii]

Yea tylenol def ain't work cause im still in pain

[Flower7]

Those ones that I listed are better for muscle pain.

[JDavid25]

I can only say to stretch it out and hydrate... They say cramps happen when the body is not properly hydrated.. Although, I don't know if you hydrated yours..

[DizzyDesii]

Lol yea i drink water like once every two days 🤣

[JDavid25]

Aw yeah, then shoo you need to hydrate that body.. LOL..

[CHARismatic110]

You're over exerting yourself. I think we had the talk about drinking enough water. Especially once you start working out consistently.

[DizzyDesii]

Yea its just so haaaard. Last spring i drank 9 bottles a day and most of that was the same hour before GAG told me its not smart to drink it that close together. Now that i dont do that, its hard to drink more than 2 a day, if even that

[CHARismatic110]

Pace yourself. Get a gallon and mark times on it so you know how much you have to drink that hour.

[All4ur_pleazure]

Have you tried using a foam roller? I’ve used on a few times when I have cramps in my legs. That and some stretching always helps.

[DizzyDesii]

I've never heard of that. Whats is that lol

[All4ur_pleazure]

I can’t upload a pic to this reply. But you can usually find them in Walmart in the fitness area or on amazon. They’re great for sore muscles and cramps.

[DizzyDesii]

Okay i just looked it up. Would i just roll my leg over it?

[All4ur_pleazure]

Yeah. Do it for a few minutes and you should be fine.

[All4ur_pleazure]

And hydrate. Stay hydrated for sure.

[Purplemonkey24]

I always massage the area with warming oils or soak in hot water for a couple hours and slowly walk around a small distance. Goodluck I hate leg cramps

[DizzyDesii]

Thank you i’ll try

[Purplemonkey24]

No problem :)

[Purplemonkey24]

I've noticed stretch before and after workouts help for a future tip :)

[zoeadams3]

For that long and in this heat, it might also be electrolytes. Are you sweating a lot? Find a sports drink that has potassium and magnesium.

[DizzyDesii]

Oooh i forgot i have powerade and gatorade!

[Rab1901]

A combination of massaging, stretching and hot showers works best. Also drink a lot of water and have protein. Don't have sugary and salty snacks.

[DizzyDesii]

Lmao you say this as im eating sugary/salty snacks 🤣 and yea i drink water maybe once every other day 🙈 im workin on it

[Rab1901]

Oh that's not good. Seltzer water or club soda is a good replacement if you want something fizzy. Some people hate it but I enjoy it especially the flavored ones.

[DizzyDesii]

I have some bubly? Lol that new fizzy water. Think it counts?

[Rab1901]

I don't know too much about it but I think it should be good. way better than soda. thats for sure.

[alice55]

Just wait, nothing will really help (at least personally nothing help it I just ignore it and it go away some hours after).

[DizzyDesii]

Mine lasted a whole 24 hours. Rn its tense but at least i cna walk again

[abc3643]

Drink a shitload of water.
Take a hot bath with epsom salts.

[DizzyDesii]

Drinking lots of water is the hard part. But ill try

[abc3643]

Get Gatorade.
That's exactly why it was created... to help University of Florida football players ("The Florida Gators") rehydrate and replenish minerals and electrolytes during the game.

[abc3643]

http://www.gatorade.com.mx/company/heritage

BORN IN THE LAB
In early summer of 1965, a University of Florida assistant coach sat down with a team of university physicians and asked them to determine why so many of his players were being affected by heat and heat related illnesses.

The researchers — Dr. Robert Cade, Dr. Dana Shires, Dr. H. James Free and Dr. Alejandro de Quesada — soon discovered two key factors that were causing the Gator players to 'wilt': the fluids and electrolytes the players lost through sweat were not being replaced, and the large amounts of carbohydrates the players' bodies used for energy were not being replenished.

The researchers then took their findings into the lab, and scientifically formulated a new, precisely balanced carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage that would adequately replace the key components lost by Gator players through sweating and exercise. They called their concoction ‘Gatorade'.

PROVEN ON THE FIELD
Soon after the researchers introduced their Gatorade formula to the team, the Gators began winning… outlasting a number of heavily favored opponents in the withering heat and finishing the season at 7–4.

The team's success progressed even more during the 1966 season, with the Gators finishing at 9–2 and winning the Orange Bowl for the first time ever in the history of the school. Word about Gatorade began to spread outside of the state of Florida, and both the University of Richmond and Miami of Ohio, began ordering batches of Gatorade for their football teams. Orders from other college football programs across the country soon followed, as playing without Gatorade on your sidelines began to be likened to playing with just ten men on the field.

Today, Gatorade can be found on the sidelines of more than 70 Division I colleges as the official sports drink of their men's and women's intercollegiate sports.

[HOAAH]

When I had leg craps, the doctors said that I needed more potassium so eat a banana.

[DizzyDesii]

Thanks

[_no_one_]

According to naturopathy ice packs are the best. Massage can help to loosen up those muscles and u needa walk so as to get used to that pain.

[DizzyDesii]

Thank you

[_no_one_]

Your welcome

[pepperhicks]

Fluids, water is good. A banana. Work from the inside out.

[DizzyDesii]

Thank you

[mimi051998]

Simple stretches and massages can help relax the muscle. Heating pads can accelerate the relaxation process, while an ice pack can help numb the pain.

[DizzyDesii]

Yea i may have to try I've cause this heating pad ain't workin

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

My Chiropractor always told me to place ice on sore muscles
or aches from Arthritis

[DizzyDesii]

Thank you

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

You're welcome :)

[Pighttussy]

The goal is to increase blood flow. So warm bath, massage, heating pad, or oitnment for the same are the best options.

[DizzyDesii]

Oooo i didn't even consider ointment

[Aakash_Hangargi]

Take a tub of hot water put some salt dip your leg in it sit peacefully for 35 minutes enjoy a good read

[DizzyDesii]

Thank you :)

[Phoenix98]

Epsomsalts, stretching, heat/cyro therapy or stuff like icy hot.

[DizzyDesii]

Thanks! I do have epsom salt andwill prob use it later for a long warm bath. As for icy hot. I have a patch. Will that do?

[Phoenix98]

It probably does the same thing so it should be fine.

[Dargil]

The best NSAID is Naproxin. Aleve. Reduces swelling and suppresses pain.

[DizzyDesii]

I have neither of those on me but i can try to get an aleve from my grandma. Or maybe thats advil 🤦‍♀️ Dang I don't know but i’ll ask her if she stops by

[Dargil]

Advil is ibuprophen. Aleve is Naproxin Sodium. You can take (3) 200's.

[ScottSummers]

i think everyone already gave good advice, i would rest for awhile in your place.
Also that stretch girl wth, is that real?

[DizzyDesii]

Lmao she superflexible

[IndyZee]

Cold compress (frozen peas or corn works well), massage, stretching and Aspircreme.

Drink Gatorade, ingest more potassium (eat bananas, supplements)

[DizzyDesii]

I got a powerade in the freezer. Im gonna thaw it out

[IndyZee]

Gatorade would be better...

[DizzyDesii]

I dont think i have any atm

[Anonymous]

An1, looks like they beat me to the punch, cramping is often linked to water consumption. However some post workout potassium can also help with muscle fatigue. I would suggest some Kiwis.

[DizzyDesii]

I've never tried a kiwi outside of candy. They just look so hairy lol

[Opinion Owner]

Cut them in quarters, but be careful one end has a stem piece. When they're ripe they are super sweet, but if you like a little sour try them a little less than ripe. The rind is just like most fruits avoid it and get to the good part.

[worldscolide]

i would go with a combination of stretching and massage..

[DizzyDesii]

Thanks

[Tstrbrainer]

I have no idea?

Good to see you after sometime

[DizzyDesii]

Yea i just needed a break :)

[jessicasissy]

You definitely need to drink more water. However leg cramps can also be caused by a potassium deficiency, so I find eating a banana and lightly massaging the muscle calms it right down

[SuccessfulHornDog]

Water and minerals. Specifically potassium and magnesium

[DizzyDesii]

Thanks

[EnglundUberAlles]

Short answer: Stretch the muscle. Some people say you can pinch it but I haven't known that to work. Long answer: Have more magnesium in your diet.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/eZ3_dwD4oKU

[najekim]

Sounds like you may have a spasm. A hot tub would help.

[DizzyDesii]

It lasted a little over 24 hours but im ok niw

[najekim]

Icy Hot works most the time for me.

[simplelikeme]

Drink lots of water and walk it off. There's too many acids built up in your muscles.

[DizzyDesii]

Thank you

[simplelikeme]

Your welcome

[Jakeofalltrades93]

I heard that the potassium in bananas helps with that

[DizzyDesii]

I ate all the bananas last week. I won't be able to get more til Saturday. What other food has potassium?

[Jakeofalltrades93]

no idea

[Anonymous]

Pain pill, water, massage, ice if it keeps hurting but with some kind of paper towel so it's only cool, doctor if it hurts more than a couple days.

[DizzyDesii]

Thank you

[AkshiJanjua]

Apply some pain relief cream/gel, it may swell for a couple of days

[DizzyDesii]

I have icy hot heat patch. Will that work?

[AkshiJanjua]

yes ice will help prevent the swelling

[Makeushiver]

Potassium- a good natural source are bananas. Routinely stretch muscle, wrap it. Let me massage it

[MrTuxedo]

Ice and pain relief gel.

[DizzyDesii]

Yea i dont have that but i have icy hot patches. Does that work?

[MrTuxedo]

Doubt it, but you can try.

[John_Doesnt]

Use a magic wand to massage yourself.

Just relax

[JosyJosy]

Stretching is what I do

[DizzyDesii]

Thanks

[AdithyaR]

Stretching, massage and a hot shower should help.

[DizzyDesii]

Thank you

[Trooper205]

Try Potassium! Bananas, Gatorate, it helps!

[DizzyDesii]

I think i still have gatorade. My powerade is frozen atm lol. Taking too long to unthaw

[ThatGuy133]

Drink more water and take some Tylenol

[DizzyDesii]

Thank you :)

[CaptainLegal]

You should buy a cream for cramps

[DizzyDesii]

Im using some arthritis hot but it ain't workin

[bannacookies]

Other: rub/massage castor oil. It works for me.

[DizzyDesii]

Thanks

[justcurious2019]

Rub some icy hot on your tight legs

[DizzyDesii]

Yea i just put on an icy hot patch now

[justcurious2019]

@DizzyDesii how are your legs

[DizzyDesii]

Still hurts

[justcurious2019]

@DizzyDesii i would rub them if i was there

[justcurious2019]

hows your legs @DizzyDesii

[TallAnon]

Stretch and drink additional water

[DizzyDesii]

Thanks :)

[TallAnon]

2L of water every day!

[Aphrodite_1998]

Stretch is best what I do.

[DizzyDesii]

Thanks

[Aphrodite_1998]

Your Welcome

[Cryptic-Game]

I think stretching is the best idea.

[DizzyDesii]

Thanks

[Agape93]

Eat more potassium

[DizzyDesii]

Lol i won't be able to go grocery shopping for bananas again until like Saturday. What other food has potassium?

[Agape93]

Not sure honestly lol

[Tstrbrainer]

Guvava?

[Hotboy_booblover]

Have more water.. do stretching excercises

[DizzyDesii]

Yea i def need water

[Dongtai]

Milk and tape

[DizzyDesii]

I haven't drank milk since age 3. Im not a fan of it. But whats tape for?

[Dongtai]

It was absolute bullshit. Don’t listen to me 😂😂

[Smf1989]

Heating Pad and take tylenol

[DizzyDesii]

Thank you

[Anonymous]

I always put my feet up when I get leg cramps.

[DizzyDesii]

Mine are up but i have ahabit of bending my leg so its making it tighter

[Mehzmeh]

Try eating a banana.

[DizzyDesii]

Im out of em :(

[Mehzmeh]

Oh, get some as soon as you can. Because, it would put potassium in your system. And prevent that from happening again.

[LEADFOOTboi]

always stretch?

[DizzyDesii]

Yea sumn i hardly do

[LEADFOOTboi]

excersize needs strechtinnngggg

[Karin_Anna]

A good massage always helps me.

[mrgspoter]

Banana, or juiced

[DizzyDesii]

Thanks

[mrgspoter]

And possibly a good stretch the correct way. Did it work

[DizzyDesii]

It lasted 24 hours. Its still tense but i can at least walk now

[mrgspoter]

Ye that's diff, you caught me being man I didn't read it all.. stretch n hot baths maybe something like deep heat I try to avoid painkillers and such stuff.

[mrgspoter]

I just thought random cramp didn't see bike part but..