Intolerable muscle cramps: Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium?

[Celina]

Hi out there,

 

So, I've been having some MAJOR muscle cramping (in my calves, thighs, and glutes) bad enough that it kept me awake at night a couple nights last week and made it really hard to sit OR stand for much time while at a 3-day workshop.

 

This started while I was traveling and I did stay compliant in terms of food choice during that time although but did miss two breakfasts, subbing in Larabars. I immediately started taking potassium, magnesium, and calcium and am upping my veggies with those in them.

 

Is this a common whole30 experience? 

 

If this is relevant: yes, I workout. I do CrossFit but when this started I was not working out planning instead to do yoga in my room during the workshop. Today at CrossFit my muscles completely seized up during a deadlift (not a form issue).

 

Any thoughts? I'm worried that I'm actually NOT getting some important nutrients even though I've been following the plan faithfully (except those two breakfasts that had Larabars).

 

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you might have,

Celina

[amberino21]

I think magnesium is a big one, also salt intake and dehydration?

 

a lot of processed food is full of salt, so when you cut that out, you aren't getting much - I salt our food with a good quality salt (Himalayan or celtic). it's delicious!

[Megan Claydon]

I second the salt and water intake...My muscles (especially calves) will let me know when I have been negligent of these two items. Salt your food and drink plenty of water. These two things are easy to forget about when you are traveling. 

[Celina]

Hi there,

 

thanks for those suggestions. I do drink a TON of water. . . probably 3-4 liters a day and almost always have to pee. While traveling I made a point of salting everything but it was just table salt there. 

 

"Amberino" you mentioned what my diet might have been like pre-whole 30. It certainly was not the Standard American Diet (well most of  my adult life it was close-ish to the SAD) but I had slipped into eating processed gluten-free foods, GF energy bars and other gimmicky foods. Does it make sense to you that the cramps would start so late into whole30 AND/OR that they would start after just one day of travel? 

[amberino21]

If table salt is different to what you use at home, this could be an issue? Table salt has none of the minerals "good" salt does.....and effects your body differently! How long have you been back for?

[Celina]

Hi Amberino,

 

I've been back now for 6 days. My doc said to take the supplemental minerals for two weeks and then slowly taper to see if it happens again. (And yes, at home we use Celtic Sea Salt and Kosher Salt.) But, now that I think of it maybe we use more of the Kosher and less of Celtic so I'll also up that.

 

thanks thanks

[carolinaBlue]

Magnesium has really made a big difference for me. My feet and calves used to cramp for hours most nights and nothing helped except to walk on cold floors. But, there's only so many hours I can walk around every night (right??) and floors aren't cold in NC in the summer, or the spring, or for most of the fall! So obviously I had to find a better remedy. I use 2 - 3 teaspoons of Natural Calm each night about an hour before bed & shazam, no more debilitating cramps in my extremities. Plus, the magnesium has had a positive effect on my sleep - I can get right back to sleep if I wake up in the middle of the night.