Muscle Spasms

I have pretty much accepted the fact that on a typical day I am in some state of dehydration regardless of how much I drink.  Lately though I have been getting frequent muscle spasms in my calfs. They aren't painful but you can watch my calfs and it looks like something is living under the skin, kida cool and freaky at the same time.

So my questions are:

1) Is this due to being somewhat dehydrated?  If so other than water and Low Cal G2 what are some things to drink or supplement to help with the dehydration.

2) I am still taking just the standard post-op Calcium, Multi with Iron and have recently added Glutamine as a post work-out supplement.  Is it time to look at possibly adding other supplements such as potassium?

Thanks.

I drink 32 oz of powerade 0 everyday and started adding magneseum about a year ago and haven't noticed it as much. I also drink 64 oz of water and protein shakes all day so i am probably near 200 oz of fluids whenyou add in all my crack ( diet mt dew).

so glad someone else admits to crack (mine's diet coke).  Between my shake, my water and DC, I'm at about 200 oz too!

You gotta have something you enjoy !!!!!!

Could very well be low potassium--but don't go crazy supplementing--it can be hard on the kidneys if you overdo it.  The body doesn't store it so you need a constant supply coming in.

Foods rich in potassium:

Foods with Potassium	Serving Size	Potassium (mg)
Apricots, dried	10 halves	407
Avocados, raw	1 ounce	180
Bananas, raw	1 cup	594
Beets, cooked	1 cup	519
Brussel sprouts, cooked	1 cup	504
Cantaloupe	1 cup	494
Dates, dry	5 dates	271
Figs, dry	2 figs	271
Kiwi fruit, raw	1 medium	252
Lima beans	1 cup	955
Melons, honeydew	1 cup	461
Milk, fat free or skim	1 cup	407
Nectarines	1 nectarine	288
Orange juice	1 cup	496
Oranges	1 orange	237
Pears (fresh)	1 pear	208
Peanuts dry roasted, unsalted	1 ounce	187
Potatoes, baked,	1 potato	1081
Prune juice	1 cup	707
Prunes, dried	1 cup	828
Raisins	1 cup	1089
Spinach, cooked	1 cup	839
Tomato products, canned sauce	1 cup	909
Winter squash	1 cup	896
Yogurt plain, skim milk	8 ounces	579

http://www.thepotassiumrichfoods.com/

Additional info:

http://www.highbloodpressureinfo.org/potassium-overdose.html

I've had to start my DH on potassium supplements due to the excessive sweating on the weekends when we run and do yard work....he was getting very fatigued and was getting muscle cramps.

I am hitting close to the 200oz mark but a large amount of that is simply water or crystal light as plain water tastes nasty.

I am usually 60+  ounces by the time I leave the gym and drink all day.

I basically Drink 24oz then eat something then drink 24 more then eat on and on and on  througout the day.

I'm wondering if I am drinking to much plain water and possibly diluting my levels and need to look at maybe more G2 or something.

Yes something with more electrolytes might help.

not sure if that is dehydration (although it definitely could be)... it happens to me after intense or long workouts on the bike or running.  i've always chalked it up to muscle fatigue and the tearing down/recovery process.... but i never thought too deeply about it.  in fact, my calves are doing it as i type this :)

Mine have been doing it almost non stop since finishing my run.  I guess I could consider it a built in massage

Hi Paul,

I'm still a noob so take it with a grain but I have this problem as well. It's getting better but it still happens about once a week or more especially when I am in bed and I stretch. I will wake up to the cramps in my calf and shoot out of bed to "walk it off."


When I was a teen I got these ( unknown reason @ the time) and just started eating a bananas a few times a week. Post-op I have started taking Potassium Gluc. appx. 500mg once a day and Magnesium 250mg and the cramps have really toned down. I started taking this about 6 weeks ago and the cramping has gone from everyday to just about one a week, if that.

I do notice if it's a day I have not hydrated enough I will get one. It seems your doing well in that department with 200oz in day? I go for a 6 month check in a few days & saw my labs beforehand which look great so no deficiency noted. But maybe I am on the path? Who knows. I really hope you cna get a handle on these because as you know they are no fun. Good luck to you!