JT Burkard

OUCH! I was awoken yesterday morning 6.45am to the most intense charlie horse on my left calf. It was a good thing my wife was up to feed the cats because I would have kicked her as I was reeling in pain. I looked like a fish flopping out of the water. No matter what position I was in, the pain would not stop. I finally rolled off the bed to stand up and hope to make it into the shower to hit it with hot water. I did that once before and it worked well. I couldn't even walk or hop and didn't make it into the bathroom. Just stood at the wall hunched over in pain until it got bearable. I was able to walk it off in about 2-3 minutes but man what a knot it felt like.

We had plans on hitting the local bike trail yesterday morning like we did last week but there was no way I was going to be able to do it. I was limping all day. I was doing stretches, hot patches, cold packs, I just needed to let this thing heal. She was disappointed but heard how much pain I had and knew it wasn't going to happen.

This morning I woke up in hopes it would be better for a July 4th ride (and my Birthday by the way) but the muscle is still sore. Should I just let this heal or do you think the bike riding will do good for the muscle spasm? I don't want to mess it up more.

I got my wife into riding with me now and she is now saying "Lets go for a ride". She wants to drop a few pounds with me and we are going on vacation in a few months so shes hoping for some thinner new clothing. I didn't want to disappoint her and I was looking forward to riding today since we missed out yesterday but I don't want to do more harm then good.

Any advice?

Street Pedaler

JT, first off, happy B-Day! I get cramps quite a bit, too. Especially in the summer. Mine are partly caused by neuropathy in my lower left leg due to spinal chord injuries but also partly from the fact that I sweat PRODIGIOUSLY when I ride. I lose a lot of electrolytes along with the water. Be sure to hydrate properly every day, not just on ride days. It takes a day or two to properly hydrate so, if you're riding regularly, you have to hydrate much more frequently. Also, for me, bananas help quite a bit. I need the potassium. This next one I don't recommend to anybody else but it does help me- I increase my sodium intake during the summer. I use Sea Salt and just put a little more than I normally would on my food. A lot of people are on sodium restricted diets and, if you happen to be, obviously this probably wouldn't be a wise idea for you. As far as riding, ride. Just be sure to stretch really well when you get through. If you cramp to the point that you're not able to ride, well, that'll tell you to stop, lol. Good luck and hang in there!!

ChargerDawg

Electrolytes... espically potassium are your friend.

Gatorade G2 for me, one bottle water, one G2 for long or hot rides.

goldfinch

It probably is what you say but those bad charlie horse pains can sometimes be from a blood clot, deep vein thrombosis, which is very dangerous as the clot can move to your lung. Maybe call your doc?

JT Burkard

I think I just moved my leg wierd. I ate a banana and loaded up on fluids yesterday. I am also taking a multi vitamin to add whatever I am probably lacking. My big question is not what caused the charlie but if I should ride today to wait another couple days.

Thanks everyone for their comments.

Nightshade

Yes, potassium IS your friend. I take one 500mg pill of potassium everyday or I'm laying on the floor with cramps so bad I get bruising.

1855Cru

I agree with all of the above, especially hydrating and replenishing electrolytes. I add Nuun tablets to my water bottles and often eat a banana before or during the ride. Stretching properly after a ride can also be very helpful. If you can still feel the knot with your fingers, a massage often helps work them out. Perhaps try and go for a short ride and see how it feels?

JT Burkard

I elected to forgo the ride today as we were having family and friends over to celebrate the day. I did some yard work, cleaned up the patio and the patio set and after about 1.5 hours of working around outside, my leg felt a lot better. I was taking it easy but still moving about better. If I press on the spot on my calf I can feel the soreness in he muscle but walking and getting up from a seated position is normal now. Yesterday, it was a different story with pain and limping.

My wife bought a bunch of bananas so I'll eat one each day and I am upping my water intake as well. I realized I don't drink the "8 - 8oz of water a day" that was always recommended. I don't drink a lot of soda, mostly ice tea or Vitamin Water with lunch and ice tea with dinner. Even though its fluids, I think plain water might do me well. Better to have a little more then a lot less.

Tomorrow I'm back on the bike again.

aenlaasu

Ooh! I HATE charlie-horses. I used to get them a couple times a year all through my childhood right through my teen years. Then I ended up with a DVT a few years ago and now they come much more frequently, always in my left calf right where the clot was. The frequency comes and goes, but I generally get more than 20 a year now. My husband just LOVES being awaken in the night by a screaming, flailing wife.

I tend to limp for a couple days after one and apply lots of heat.

BTW, happy B-day. A bit belated, but hey!