Cramps everywhere

[cbtengr]

It is hot here and I do a lot of work outside not because I have to but because I enjoy working outside. I sweat like crazy I will change t shirts at least 3 times a day and completely soak through my jeans or shorts. At a minimum I drink at least one gallon of liquids throughout the day. I have a home made gatorade concoction that I drink also. A gallon of it has 2 tsp's of salt , 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup corn syrup, 2 Tblsp lemon juice and a sugar free flavoring. I drink at least 1/2 gal. of this a day. At night I have also been drinking a cup of pickle juice, I heard this was good for curing cramps.

While working I am fine but at the end of the day I will eventually begin to get cramps everywhere. Tonight my wife had to cut my steak for me because my hands kept cramping up. From head to toe I cramp up, The leg cramps can particularly be very painful and last quite awhile.

Am I not getting enough salt to replenish my losses during the day? Are there foods I should be eating more of that would help? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Gypsy]

That sounds awful, I hope you get some good info to help alleviate this. Take care.

[tonyz]

Eating bananas always helped me.

Also, I use these in the heat and humidity of summer - Amazon has them (worked in SE Asia summer heat/humidity, also). Must drink lots of water with them. I’m sure the docs here have better info.

“Medi-Lyte Tablets by Medique
Manufacturer: Medique Products
Tablets helps provide rapid rehydration and nutritional support for muscle cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and more*
Each tablet contains Calcium 10.8 mg, Potassium 40 mg and Magnesium 12 mg
Tamper-evident foil packets with English and Spanish labeling
* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”

[Peregrino]

The current "flavor du juor" at work for oral re-hydration is Drip Drops (https://dripdrop.com/). I stumbled across them at an Expo on post and checked with my medics when I got back to the office. The medics confirmed the hype and provided the NSN (which doesn't do me a damn bit of good!). Not having access to them through the supply system, I had to go on line to get mine. I ordered a 24 piece sample pack and can tell you that I've been sufficiently impressed that half of it found its way into my range bag and I've used/given away most of that. I'll be ordering more soon. I find it significantly better than Gatorade and I've personally seen it work on incipient heat casualties. (Knucklehead kids that think they're inured to NC summer heat/humidity even when exercising strenuously!) Since I've started carrying/sharing the DripDrops in my range bag several members of my regular crew have also added them to their kit. Usual disclaimers, MOO, YMMV (but I think you'll benefit from checking it out).

[PRB]

You can get cramps from under hydrating and from over hydrating.... I work outside in 110 degree's here in Az and do not drink anywhere near that much.

We've had SFAS candidates stroke out from to much hydration too.

Not saying that's it but you have an imbalance of some type....you should get some blood work done when you are in that kind of distress.

[cbtengr]

Originally Posted by PRB

You can get cramps from under hydrating and from over hydrating.... I work outside in 110 degree's here in Az and do not drink anywhere near that much.

We've had SFAS candidates stroke out from to much hydration too.

Not saying that's it but you have an imbalance of some type....you should get some blood work done when you are in that kind of distress.

I can appreciate what you are saying, I do not drink a gallon in a short period of time but over the course of 6-8 hours. I know it is hot in AZ, when you are working do you also sweat like crazy? From what I gather a persons body handles a lot of water per hour. Hard to find a consensus as to intake, eight 8 oz. glasses seems to be a rule of thumb but then again I read where you cannot drink too much, not buying that theory. I have to find a balance.

Perigrino: I got some Drip Drop will have to find a cheaper place to purchase other than Walgreens. Very pleasant taste, I need to define when I am dehydrated vs. no longer dehydrated. The box says an adult can have up to 16 8oz. serving per day that would be a gallon. At what point do you find yourself taking it? And how much do you take over any period of time.

Jim P Definitely will look into upping the magnesium and potassium levels. I have never been a nutrition follower, I just eat. Can I take supplements and have them be just as effective or do I need to get these nutrients from food?

I appreciate all the replies, thanks!

[twistedsquid]

NUUN and Hammer nutrition have drop in tablets that I find work GREAT on my long rides to prevent cramping. Cheap, effective and in my bug out bag. Sounds like you may be overhydrating?

[JimP]

try upping your potassium and magnesium levels?

[Trapper John]

Originally Posted by cbtengr

It is hot here and I do a lot of work outside not because I have to but because I enjoy working outside. I sweat like crazy I will change t shirts at least 3 times a day and completely soak through my jeans or shorts. At a minimum I drink at least one gallon of liquids throughout the day. I have a home made gatorade concoction that I drink also. A gallon of it has 2 tsp's of salt , 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup corn syrup, 2 Tblsp lemon juice and a sugar free flavoring. I drink at least 1/2 gal. of this a day. At night I have also been drinking a cup of pickle juice, I heard this was good for curing cramps.

While working I am fine but at the end of the day I will eventually begin to get cramps everywhere. Tonight my wife had to cut my steak for me because my hands kept cramping up. From head to toe I cramp up, The leg cramps can particularly be very painful and last quite awhile.

Am I not getting enough salt to replenish my losses during the day? Are there foods I should be eating more of that would help? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Some excellent advice here, esp. Miclo18D Some simple key indicators to evaluate hydration status:

1. Input = Output monitor urine output every 4 h and adjust intake accordingly.
2. Color- Urine should be straw colored and ~ 1 pint every 4 hours. If dark, drink more water. If clear, drink less water.
3. Take 2 salt tabs, eat 1 bannana and drink 1/2 canteen (1 pint) water every 4 hours.
4. Quit whining, ruck-up and press-on soldier!

[cbtengr]

Last two days back outside getting physical, sweating as usual. First day by the end of 6 hours I had had enough, arms and hands were cramping up pretty good. When I got home I had 3 doses of the Drip Drops over a 1.5 hr. period and ate some muskmelon which is a good source of potassium. Cramping finally settled down.

I have been adding Trace Mineral Drops to my water for the past 6 days and trying to up my magnesium intake by eating cashews.

Today I worked 4 hours before calling it quits, in a five hour period I drank 3 qts. of water and never urinated once. Cramping was bad when I got home so I had a dose of Drip Drops and some pickle juice which seemed to help eventually. I did go into my Drs. and got a blood draw when the cramping was going on, hopefully the results will provide some info as to what is going on. I have been a hard worker my whole life and do not wish to change that any time soon. Thank you for all the replies!

[Gypsy]

Originally Posted by cbtengr

I did go into my Drs. and got a blood draw when the cramping was going on, hopefully the results will provide some info as to what is going on. I have been a hard worker my whole life and do not wish to change that any time soon. Thank you for all the replies!

I'm really glad to read you went to the doc, I hope they figure this out and you can get back to it! Your work is so important but your heath is paramount. All the best.

[cbtengr]

Originally Posted by Gypsy

I'm really glad to read you went to the doc, I hope they figure this out and you can get back to it! Your work is so important but your heath is paramount. All the best.

Thanks! I am gonna post what the doc said about my results. You know the trouble with youth is that it is wasted on the young. LOL!

[cbtengr]

Potassium 4.8 Magnesium 2.1, Doc was pleased with my Electrolytes but says my kidney function is down. He says drink more water. Kinda frustrating.