If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
HELP! question about foot cramps
Recently, mostly while swimming but sometimes while at work, I have started
to get the WORST foot cramps. I had been mowing before I went swimming for about 3 hours, and i had plenty of water while doing this (not sure if its related but it seems to be since I do not seem to get them as often if I dont walk or mow first). They are sort of like a charley horse because the more I try to stretch out my arch the worse they get and then my calf will start up as well. I had to get out of the pool the other night after only 22 of my 35 laps completed because I was pretty much incapacitated by it. My friends magic answer was "Eat a banana or drink some gatorade before you swim you probably need potassium" but neither is low carb and I already take a vitamin and extra calcuim daily. What might be another solution that IS lower carb? -- Low Carb since 11/12/03 235ish/175/135 Goal for June: 165 for a loss of 10 lbs. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
HELP! question about foot cramps
"Lily" wrote in message
. 167... Recently, mostly while swimming but sometimes while at work, I have started to get the WORST foot cramps. I had been mowing before I went swimming for about 3 hours, and i had plenty of water while doing this (not sure if its related but it seems to be since I do not seem to get them as often if I dont walk or mow first). They are sort of like a charley horse because the more I try to stretch out my arch the worse they get and then my calf will start up as well. I had to get out of the pool the other night after only 22 of my 35 laps completed because I was pretty much incapacitated by it. My friends magic answer was "Eat a banana or drink some gatorade before you swim you probably need potassium" but neither is low carb and I already take a vitamin and extra calcuim daily. What might be another solution that IS lower carb? Oh! I feel for you. My first month low-carb I had some SEVERE muscle cramps in my legs and feet. Worse than ever before. Somebody told me to try taking a Magnesium supplement. I looked at my multivitamin bottle and it only had like 15% of the daily value Magnesium. Anyhow, I added a magnesium supplement to my daily pills and after a week of it kicking in, I have not had a single cramp since. Good to know, because even before low-carb, I used to get an occassional calf cramp, and couldn't go more than 2 weeks without a toe cramping. On low carb, the cramps became worse, and that charley-horse type cramp you describe woke me up from sleeping. So that is my suggestion. -- Spring LC since 1/1/04 260/215/170 |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
HELP! question about foot cramps
"Sprgtime" wrote in news:w46dnQnU9Mo0U17dRVn-
: I looked at my multivitamin bottle and it only had like 15% of the daily value Magnesium. I take a cal/mag/zinc three times a day on top of my multi but maybe it is still weak because the mag/zinc parts seem low now that you mentioned it. I will look into maybe a higher ratio of those when I need to restock in a week or so. -- Low Carb since 11/12/03 235ish/175/135 Goal for June: 165 for a loss of 10 lbs. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
HELP! question about foot cramps
Ask your doctor for a blood test to see what you're deficient in before
adding more supplements. I was taking 500mg calcium/day for the last 7 years. When I went LC, I added 500mg magnesium and 100mg potassium because my plan recommended them. But then I started having heart palpitations and my skin got dry and leathery. My blood test showed that I was slightly over the limit for potassium (the heart palpitations) and a lot over for calcium (the dry leathery skin). I've since stopped all supplements except for a daily multi and magnesium. I'm getting everything I need from the food on my new eating plan so don't need the supplements. It's a lot safer to find out for sure what you need rather than trying to self-diagnose and possibly run into more problems. on Mon, 07 Jun 2004 02:52:33 GMT, Lily wrote: I take a cal/mag/zinc three times a day on top of my multi but maybe it is still weak because the mag/zinc parts seem low now that you mentioned it. I will look into maybe a higher ratio of those when I need to restock in a week or so. ----- Bev |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
HELP! question about foot cramps
Lack of magnesium and cramps seems to be a common theme - I saw an
article in the coeliac support group on the point. One book I read on minerals and vitamins suggests a daily does of between 500mg and 1000mg (Lieberman & Bruning's The Real Vitamin & Mineral Book). Other authorities suggest in the range 250mg - 500mg. David -------------------- http://www.supavit.com |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
HELP! question about foot cramps
You can buy potassium supplements or try a little lite salt.
-- Nancy S+13 Atkins Off and On Since 1999 Back on the Wagon Since May 30, 2004 Gotta Remember This Is a WOL, Not a Diet! 180.5/177.5/125 "Lily" wrote in message . 167... Recently, mostly while swimming but sometimes while at work, I have started to get the WORST foot cramps. I had been mowing before I went swimming for about 3 hours, and i had plenty of water while doing this (not sure if its related but it seems to be since I do not seem to get them as often if I dont walk or mow first). They are sort of like a charley horse because the more I try to stretch out my arch the worse they get and then my calf will start up as well. I had to get out of the pool the other night after only 22 of my 35 laps completed because I was pretty much incapacitated by it. My friends magic answer was "Eat a banana or drink some gatorade before you swim you probably need potassium" but neither is low carb and I already take a vitamin and extra calcuim daily. What might be another solution that IS lower carb? -- Low Carb since 11/12/03 235ish/175/135 Goal for June: 165 for a loss of 10 lbs. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
HELP! question about foot cramps
Please be careful with potassium!
A pharmacist and my doctor have told me that if you take in too much, it may negatively affect your heart rhythm. I asked about it at a local pharmacy, and the pharmacist was very concerned that someone would consider it without a doctor's recommendation. Our pharmacies will not stock it on the outer shelves - you have to ask for it (like iron and 222s). I asked my doctor about it, and she stated that nobody should take potassium unless they have a deficiency, and the only way to confirm a deficiency is to do a blood test. It really scares me when I see people nonchalantly state that they take potassium, in the same manner they would say they take a multivitamin. Deb 230/208.5/135 June 2002 - 260; Dec 2002 - 210; March 2004 - 230 Goal for May 31 - 209, reached on May 30 Goal for June 30 - 199 nanekitoo wrote: You can buy potassium supplements or try a little lite salt. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
HELP! question about foot cramps
barrdbarrbarr wrote:
It really scares me when I see people nonchalantly state that they take potassium, in the same manner they would say they take a multivitamin. Yes I am thinking the same as well. When there are so many natural (and cheaper) sources for potassium, I don't understand why people went straight for the pharmacist whenever they're told they need some minerals / vitamins. One of the major thing about low-carbing is to eat natural living food, you don't need the pharmacist all the time!!!! |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
HELP! question about foot cramps
Ada Ma wrote in
: It really scares me when I see people nonchalantly state that they take potassium, in the same manner they would say they take a multivitamin. Yes I am thinking the same as well. When there are so many natural (and cheaper) sources for potassium, I don't understand why people went straight for the pharmacist whenever they're told they need some minerals / vitamins. One of the major thing about low-carbing is to eat natural living food, you don't need the pharmacist all the time!!!! I agree with you two because I don't try to first medicate. I think the broccoli sounded better LOL -- Low Carb since 11/12/03 235ish/175/135 Goal for June: 165 for a loss of 10 lbs. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
HELP! question about foot cramps
barrdbarrbarr wrote:
Please be careful with potassium! A pharmacist and my doctor have told me that if you take in too much, it may negatively affect your heart rhythm. this is true, but it can be taken effectively only when a person has muscle cramps and not taken the rest of the time. it shouldn't be a problem if used that way. still, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about it. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Glycogen weight question and a status update | JJ | Low Carbohydrate Diets | 27 | April 19th, 2004 10:51 PM |
Leg cramps and potassium question | Eileen Dougal | Low Carbohydrate Diets | 12 | March 22nd, 2004 08:26 AM |
Gum Question?? | jcd | Low Carbohydrate Diets | 9 | February 6th, 2004 06:40 PM |
2PD TWO POUND DIET IS SHIT! I GAINED 30 LBS ON IT! | Jeff Engels | Low Carbohydrate Diets | 96 | November 3rd, 2003 11:49 PM |
Cramps and Medication | Brian Worthey | Low Carbohydrate Diets | 4 | October 7th, 2003 05:10 PM |