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#200828 - 04/22/18 10:45 PM Muscle cramps
Jim M Offline
member

Registered: 11/23/03
Posts: 430
Loc: Kitsap Peninsula, WA
Forgive me if this is a duplicate. I thought I posted it, but now, hours later, I do not see it.

I have had cramps from time to time and always atraibutee it to a hard hike with lots of elevation gain. Quadriceps, leg bicep, and calves. I generally stay hydrated and often eat salty snacks. But last week after a very easy hike I got cramps. I had a salty soup for dinner and I drank 16 ounces (half liter) of Gatorade when I hit the sack. I got up to pee in the night (seemed like a lot of pee so I assume I was not dehydrated) and had cramps in my legs again. I tried Calcium supplement with Vitamin D once and that seemed to help, but only did it once (small sample size, a statistician would say); any ideas?
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#200832 - 04/23/18 10:58 AM Re: Muscle cramps [Re: Jim M]
Pika Online   content
member

Registered: 12/08/05
Posts: 1814
Loc: Rural Southeast Arizona
Low potassium can cause cramping of the large muscles. Might be worth looking at.
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#200833 - 04/23/18 11:28 AM Re: Muscle cramps [Re: Pika]
BZH Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/11
Posts: 1189
Loc: Madison, AL
yup I agree with Pika. Its easy to replace the electrolyte sodium, but potassium is bit harder

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#200834 - 04/23/18 11:35 AM Re: Muscle cramps [Re: BZH]
4evrplan Offline
member

Registered: 01/16/13
Posts: 913
Loc: Nacogdoches, TX, USA
Originally Posted By BZH
yup I agree with Pika. Its easy to replace the electrolyte sodium, but potassium is bit harder
Banana chips?

ETA: https://draxe.com/top-10-potassium-rich-foods/


Edited by 4evrplan (04/23/18 11:36 AM)
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#200839 - 04/23/18 02:04 PM Re: Muscle cramps [Re: Jim M]
Bill Kennedy Offline
member

Registered: 02/27/18
Posts: 332
Loc: Portland, Oregon
If it's a persistent problem, a visit to the doctor is probsbly advisable.

Thermotabs (often called "salt tablets") contain potassium as well as sodium and other electrolytes. Sold at Walmart and Walgreens, but not in all areas of the country:

http://www.numarkbrands.com/products/thermotabs/

REI sells these "Medi-Lyte" supplements in little packets in their first aid section (note there's no sodium):

https://www.mfasco.com/first-aid-supplies/electrolyte-replacement/medi-lyte-tablets-250-x-2.html

I keep a few of each in my first aid kit.
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