muscle cramps for newbie

pchick · 07-04-2009, 11:19 AM

Hey folks,
I'm extremely new to this whole idea of lowcarb eating... but I'm doing really good! It's almost been a week, but yesterday and today I've been having some crazy muscle cramping in my arms and legs... does anyone know if this is normal?

Also... I broke down yesterday and had an atkins bar ~ I really needed something sweet after almost a week and I think it brought my carb count to almost 30 for the day. I'm really hoping it didn't mess me up.

brandyxoxo25 · 07-04-2009, 11:32 AM

Yes, the cramping is very normal. For me it only lasted through the first part of my first journey. Once my body got use to this WOE the cramping in my legs stopped.

wannabethin55 · 07-04-2009, 11:46 AM

Yes, I think it is normal. On my first week into this WOE, I had severe calf pains. I started drinking more water and someone at my health food store recommended taking Glutamine.

pchick · 07-04-2009, 12:25 PM

boy, that's good to know, I'm glad it's normal ~ plus that means I'm doing something right

I'll start drinking more water and check out the glutamine ~ thanks!!

JoSkids · 07-04-2009, 12:25 PM

Magnesium helps with cramps and I belive people use potassium too.

shapeup1 · 07-04-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pchick

Hey folks,
I'm extremely new to this whole idea of lowcarb eating... but I'm doing really good! It's almost been a week, but yesterday and today I've been having some crazy muscle cramping in my arms and legs... does anyone know if this is normal?

Also... I broke down yesterday and had an atkins bar ~ I really needed something sweet after almost a week and I think it brought my carb count to almost 30 for the day. I'm really hoping it didn't mess me up.

I take a potassium supplement and its gone.......I also use "nosalt" which is potassium cloride

Jennyl · 07-04-2009, 03:53 PM

I had horrible cramps in my leg when I started atkins. I would wake up in the middle of the night yelling. I took potassium but that gave me heart palpatations. I started taking calcium and that worked great

lighterbeing · 07-04-2009, 04:57 PM

I get some wretched charley horses, which will have me crawling down the hall. I was given a prescription strength potassium supplement by my md and it helped. In my research into the matter, I found that the muscle cramps can either be caused by a lack of calcium, magnesium, potassium, or by dehydration. So I make sure I have all those supplements on board and the cramps have stopped. I use a powder, emergen-c, they have a low carb version, a couple of times a day for the potassium and C, and take both calcium and mag citrate. If you are doing lots of protein with not many vegetables, the most common lack will be the potassium.

Chaela · 07-09-2009, 08:29 PM

I had a doozy of a cramp this morning. When I went to stretch my legs
before getting out of bed, my left calf started cramping. It wasn't at the
hurting stage yet, and to prevent the pain from starting, I sat straight
up and grabbed my left foot to yank it up, away from the direction
the cramp was taking it. I had to laugh because, here I am having a
tug-of-war with my leg over my foot! And it was a strong cramp -- I
had to pull hard to straighten my foot out.

I know I could have
gotten out of bed and stood on it, which stops the cramping right
away, but I knew also that before my feet hit the floor the cramp
would be big-time excruciating, judging from the force that was
building up behind it.

BarbDe · 07-09-2009, 08:32 PM

GNC has a combination Calcium/Magnesium/Potassium. I think it's called Calcimate Plus. Check into that - it helped immensely with the cramps.

Remykins · 07-09-2009, 08:33 PM

Remember, you are getting less water with low carb, so make sure to drink up!
And i hope your cramps go away.

ProteinMonger · 07-09-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarbDe

GNC has a combination Calcium/Magnesium/Potassium. I think it's called Calcimate Plus. Check into that - it helped immensely with the cramps.

I'm gonna threadjack. As I type this my boxer is mimicking yours. They are such great dogs.

daisymae · 07-09-2009, 10:46 PM

If you're having leg/arm cramps .... you MUST take CALCIUM !!! ... and preferable Calcium Citrate with Magnesium added.

For some reason, lowcarbing makes your body need Calcium ...

pchick · 07-10-2009, 12:54 AM

Thanks for all the great info! I started taking some emergen-C's since I have some already... but I'll be getting some suppliments this weekend. I'll make sure to get some calcium/potassium/magnesium. I'd like to just eat whole foods that provide these minerals ~ I'll have to do some more research on that.
Yoga is helping me with the cramps too, and I try to drink half my weight in oz's of water per day, for me that's 96oz which I think is good. Luckily I've been a healthy eater before starting this diet, so I'm used to drinking a lot of water.

Cereal Killer · 07-10-2009, 02:26 PM

Good thread. I get them on & off and have been LCing for years. I did not know there was a supplement to help. Thanks guys!

fawn · 07-10-2009, 05:04 PM

It's a mineral deficiency most particularly potassium. Magnesium helps to relax the muscle......a nice mineral supplement or Apple Cider Vinegar works very well.

FloridaShell · 07-11-2009, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fawn

It's a mineral deficiency most particularly potassium. Magnesium helps to relax the muscle......a nice mineral supplement or Apple Cider Vinegar works very well.

Yes, I agree with you Fawn.

suncstgirl · 07-11-2009, 08:43 AM

The initial loss of water retention... and subsequent dehydration gave me horrible leg cramps. Water water water. You will pee alot at first until your body becomes accustomed to being well hydrated. And yup... supplements are key.

SkeeterN · 07-11-2009, 08:43 PM

Without potassium I get bad cramps. I also take calcium magnesium and zinc.

VGrace · 07-12-2009, 01:03 AM

I was just about to post the same question,thank you all for the suggestions!

pchick · 07-14-2009, 09:23 AM

Thanks for all the great info! I usually have a hard time having diets work for me, but with this low carb diet I've lost 5 lbs already!! I'm stoked!!
I've been drinking my water (going for 96 oz a day) and getting my suppliments through a daily vitamin (with potassium and magnesium and zinc) and I haven't felt those cramps since.
I went to the doc yesterday and they said my keytones were quite high (and they were worried) but I was happy because that's what will help me burn those fat cells!

fawn · 07-16-2009, 01:33 PM

awesome news! Don't worry about the ketone bodies present, as you are already aware, that's a good thing. You're a fat burning machine right now!

dgcashier · 07-16-2009, 02:06 PM

Even though I HATE tomato juice, I drink 5.5 oz can of low sodium V-8 juice when I even suspect a cramp coming on. Does the trick...it's loaded with potassium- 570 mg.
Also you can eat a banana, but that is higher carb. Food with postassium works much faster than pills and you won't have to worry about taking too much.

fawn · 07-16-2009, 02:13 PM

Eventually, when we move up the carb ladder our intake of minerals becomes higher therefore the need for supplementation decreases. Until then, it's a good idea to supplement.

PixieKGirl · 07-16-2009, 04:25 PM

4 monthes into LC and I still get leg cramps. I take all of the above supplements. I've noticed a big weight loss everytime it happens, so I'm not complaining.

Steve Parker, M.D. · 10-09-2009, 10:15 AM

I like the aforementioned theories that deficiency of magnesium, potassium, or calcium may be causing the cramps. If you have a cooperative doctor, she would be willing to check blood levels of those minerals to confirm which one is low. Then you wouldn't need to take all three as supplements.

Even if blood levels are in the normal range, sometimes a supplement will suppress cramps. We cannot measure minerals within the cells, only in the circulating blood.

maryvit · 10-09-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lighterbeing

I get some wretched charley horses, which will have me crawling down the hall. I was given a prescription strength potassium supplement by my md and it helped. In my research into the matter, I found that the muscle cramps can either be caused by a lack of calcium, magnesium, potassium, or by dehydration. So I make sure I have all those supplements on board and the cramps have stopped. I use a powder, emergen-c, they have a low carb version, a couple of times a day for the potassium and C, and take both calcium and mag citrate. If you are doing lots of protein with not many vegetables, the most common lack will be the potassium.

wow - didn't know the protein / veggie connection. thx... I am doing ok now that i'm on my protein shakes for breakfast - my 0 carb protein powder is loaded with potassium (810mg) so I don't need to supplement w/ the pills any more, and I don't cramp anymore

07-04-2009, 11:19 AM	#1
pchick Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 12 Blog Entries: 10 Gallery: pchick Stats: 197/180/135 WOE: plain low carb/ NO gluten /low glycemic Start Date: June 28 2009	muscle cramps for newbie Hey folks, I'm extremely new to this whole idea of lowcarb eating... but I'm doing really good! It's almost been a week, but yesterday and today I've been having some crazy muscle cramping in my arms and legs... does anyone know if this is normal? Also... I broke down yesterday and had an atkins bar ~ I really needed something sweet after almost a week and I think it brought my carb count to almost 30 for the day. I'm really hoping it didn't mess me up.

07-09-2009, 08:29 PM	#9
Chaela Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 1 Gallery: Chaela Stats: 150/145/??? WOE: An Atkins-esque low-carb approach Start Date: June 29, 2009	I had a doozy of a cramp this morning. When I went to stretch my legs before getting out of bed, my left calf started cramping. It wasn't at the hurting stage yet, and to prevent the pain from starting, I sat straight up and grabbed my left foot to yank it up, away from the direction the cramp was taking it. I had to laugh because, here I am having a tug-of-war with my leg over my foot! And it was a strong cramp -- I had to pull hard to straighten my foot out. I know I could have gotten out of bed and stood on it, which stops the cramping right away, but I knew also that before my feet hit the floor the cramp would be big-time excruciating, judging from the force that was building up behind it. Last edited by Chaela; 07-09-2009 at 08:31 PM..

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07-04-2009, 11:32 AM	#2
brandyxoxo25 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 2,560 Gallery: brandyxoxo25 Stats: 310/292/199 WOE: Making myself healthy through LC!! Start Date: 10/02/2009	Yes, the cramping is very normal. For me it only lasted through the first part of my first journey. Once my body got use to this WOE the cramping in my legs stopped.

07-04-2009, 11:46 AM	#3
wannabethin55 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 418 Gallery: wannabethin55 WOE: low carb Start Date: April 2009	Yes, I think it is normal. On my first week into this WOE, I had severe calf pains. I started drinking more water and someone at my health food store recommended taking Glutamine.

07-04-2009, 12:25 PM	#4
pchick Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 12 Blog Entries: 10 Gallery: pchick Stats: 197/180/135 WOE: plain low carb/ NO gluten /low glycemic Start Date: June 28 2009	boy, that's good to know, I'm glad it's normal ~ plus that means I'm doing something right I'll start drinking more water and check out the glutamine ~ thanks!!

07-04-2009, 12:25 PM	#5
JoSkids Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 5,079 Gallery: JoSkids	Magnesium helps with cramps and I belive people use potassium too.

07-04-2009, 03:53 PM	#7
Jennyl Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: calgary Posts: 28,531 Gallery: Jennyl Start Date: manana	I had horrible cramps in my leg when I started atkins. I would wake up in the middle of the night yelling. I took potassium but that gave me heart palpatations. I started taking calcium and that worked great

07-04-2009, 04:57 PM	#8
lighterbeing Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kennesaw, Ga. Posts: 318 Gallery: lighterbeing Stats: 260/244/160 WOE: Atkins with extra Veggies Start Date: June 2009	I get some wretched charley horses, which will have me crawling down the hall. I was given a prescription strength potassium supplement by my md and it helped. In my research into the matter, I found that the muscle cramps can either be caused by a lack of calcium, magnesium, potassium, or by dehydration. So I make sure I have all those supplements on board and the cramps have stopped. I use a powder, emergen-c, they have a low carb version, a couple of times a day for the potassium and C, and take both calcium and mag citrate. If you are doing lots of protein with not many vegetables, the most common lack will be the potassium.

07-09-2009, 08:32 PM	#10
BarbDe Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SE Florida Posts: 5,320 Gallery: BarbDe Stats: Quit smoking 11/4/07; 16/14/10 WOE: Low carb Start Date: August 2004	GNC has a combination Calcium/Magnesium/Potassium. I think it's called Calcimate Plus. Check into that - it helped immensely with the cramps.

07-09-2009, 08:33 PM	#11
Remykins MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 1,033 Gallery: Remykins Stats: 125/120 WOE: Low carb, JUDDD Start Date: May 6th 2009	Remember, you are getting less water with low carb, so make sure to drink up! And i hope your cramps go away.

07-09-2009, 10:46 PM	#13
daisymae Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 231 Gallery: daisymae	If you're having leg/arm cramps .... you MUST take CALCIUM !!! ... and preferable Calcium Citrate with Magnesium added. For some reason, lowcarbing makes your body need Calcium ...

07-10-2009, 12:54 AM	#14
pchick Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 12 Blog Entries: 10 Gallery: pchick Stats: 197/180/135 WOE: plain low carb/ NO gluten /low glycemic Start Date: June 28 2009	Thanks for all the great info! I started taking some emergen-C's since I have some already... but I'll be getting some suppliments this weekend. I'll make sure to get some calcium/potassium/magnesium. I'd like to just eat whole foods that provide these minerals ~ I'll have to do some more research on that. Yoga is helping me with the cramps too, and I try to drink half my weight in oz's of water per day, for me that's 96oz which I think is good. Luckily I've been a healthy eater before starting this diet, so I'm used to drinking a lot of water.

07-10-2009, 02:26 PM	#15
Cereal Killer Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Neon Jungle Posts: 3,532 Gallery: Cereal Killer Stats: 263/211/150 5'7" WOE: Straight Low Carb	Good thread. I get them on & off and have been LCing for years. I did not know there was a supplement to help. Thanks guys!

07-10-2009, 05:04 PM	#16
fawn Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 12,207 Gallery: fawn Stats: sz 18/4 WOE: Whole organic, free range, wild caught, pastured Start Date: February 7, 2000	It's a mineral deficiency most particularly potassium. Magnesium helps to relax the muscle......a nice mineral supplement or Apple Cider Vinegar works very well.

07-11-2009, 08:43 AM	#18
suncstgirl Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 577 Gallery: suncstgirl Stats: 5'4" 110lbs WOE: No (bad) carbs / High fat	The initial loss of water retention... and subsequent dehydration gave me horrible leg cramps. Water water water. You will pee alot at first until your body becomes accustomed to being well hydrated. And yup... supplements are key.

07-11-2009, 08:43 PM	#19
SkeeterN Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 13,834 Gallery: SkeeterN Stats: 170/115 WOE: Atkins Start Date: April 2004	Without potassium I get bad cramps. I also take calcium magnesium and zinc.

07-12-2009, 01:03 AM	#20
VGrace MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NM Posts: 1,429 Gallery: VGrace Stats: 180/153/135 WOE: LC Start Date: 06/22/09	I was just about to post the same question,thank you all for the suggestions!

07-14-2009, 09:23 AM	#21
pchick Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 12 Blog Entries: 10 Gallery: pchick Stats: 197/180/135 WOE: plain low carb/ NO gluten /low glycemic Start Date: June 28 2009	Thanks for all the great info! I usually have a hard time having diets work for me, but with this low carb diet I've lost 5 lbs already!! I'm stoked!! I've been drinking my water (going for 96 oz a day) and getting my suppliments through a daily vitamin (with potassium and magnesium and zinc) and I haven't felt those cramps since. I went to the doc yesterday and they said my keytones were quite high (and they were worried) but I was happy because that's what will help me burn those fat cells!

07-16-2009, 01:33 PM	#22
fawn Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 12,207 Gallery: fawn Stats: sz 18/4 WOE: Whole organic, free range, wild caught, pastured Start Date: February 7, 2000	awesome news! Don't worry about the ketone bodies present, as you are already aware, that's a good thing. You're a fat burning machine right now!

07-16-2009, 02:06 PM	#23
dgcashier Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 94 Gallery: dgcashier	Even though I HATE tomato juice, I drink 5.5 oz can of low sodium V-8 juice when I even suspect a cramp coming on. Does the trick...it's loaded with potassium- 570 mg. Also you can eat a banana, but that is higher carb. Food with postassium works much faster than pills and you won't have to worry about taking too much.

07-16-2009, 02:13 PM	#24
fawn Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 12,207 Gallery: fawn Stats: sz 18/4 WOE: Whole organic, free range, wild caught, pastured Start Date: February 7, 2000	Eventually, when we move up the carb ladder our intake of minerals becomes higher therefore the need for supplementation decreases. Until then, it's a good idea to supplement.

07-16-2009, 04:25 PM	#25
PixieKGirl Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 148 Gallery: PixieKGirl Stats: 172/148/142 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 3/11/09	4 monthes into LC and I still get leg cramps. I take all of the above supplements. I've noticed a big weight loss everytime it happens, so I'm not complaining.

10-09-2009, 10:15 AM	#26
Steve Parker, M.D. Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona USA Posts: 88 Gallery: Steve Parker, M.D. Stats: 170/155/155 WOE: Ketogenic Mediterranean Diet (not Spanish) Start Date: September 1, 2009	I like the aforementioned theories that deficiency of magnesium, potassium, or calcium may be causing the cramps. If you have a cooperative doctor, she would be willing to check blood levels of those minerals to confirm which one is low. Then you wouldn't need to take all three as supplements. Even if blood levels are in the normal range, sometimes a supplement will suppress cramps. We cannot measure minerals within the cells, only in the circulating blood.