Extreme calf muscle cramping

This topic contains 3 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by Celticpurple 9 years, 7 months ago.

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Celticpurple

10:15 am
2 Apr 15
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Have been on 5:2 and paleo for approx three months now. Have lost a stone and down a dress size. Overall, feeling great except for the muscle cramping which is happening now and more. So extreme last night in bed I screamed, it’s particularly bad in the left leg. Muscle still aching today and cramping still happening so not doing fast walking today which I have come to love. Have bananas in my diet so not sure what may be going wrong? Help please as the pain is really, really bad!!!

Cakey42

11:44 am
2 Apr 15
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Hello cp and welcome. Your cramps may be due to a reduction in your salt intake.
Have a lick of salt or a stock cube in hot water and see if that helps on fast days.
It is worth it in the end, the weight goes down slowly and you learn something new every week on this journey.
Have a look in the faqs section, tab at the very top of the page?

QuietOne

9:38 pm
2 Apr 15
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Cramping can have many causes.

Night cramping, while you’re asleep is usually and indication of
a) dehydration
b) calcium, magnesium or potassium deficiency
c) over exertion of the muscle

or this may be caused by an involuntary spasm of the muscle caused by shortening or stretching the muscle. ie. point the foot and toes when falling asleep or flexing the foot.

First try extra hydration, especially if you are exercising. A sports drink such as Gatorade might cure the problem. Electrolytes not being in balance might be the culprit the major being a lack of sodium (salt). A dash of salt might be all that is needed. Water in cells follow sodium.

Hydration, salt, potassium, and magnesium. I take Cal/Mag 1:1 supplement 375 mg and a potassium supplement because I am on diuretics. The leg cramps vanished in a few days. Of course everyone is different and your mileage may vary. If they continue have complete blood panels done to find out what’s out of whack.

Your Dr. can be your best source of the cure.

Celticpurple

10:41 pm
2 Apr 15
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Thank you both for that, the cramping only seems to happen on my fast days and at night but it has never been as extreme. I’m going to watch for it now and keep a record. My fast days are Mon and Wed, so I have a few days now to see if it happens on non-fast days as well. Again, thank you the info, this has been the first negative since starting 5:2 so that’s not bad.