Calf Cramps
By Some Witch
@somewitch (2104)
February 9, 2025 3:22pm CST
Since I started doing the stationary bike, I've been getting calf cramps whenever I stretch in the morning. It still happens sometimes because I forget to not stretch. Not a big deal, it might be an excuse for a few extra minutes in bed except it hurts a little. I looked online for causes and therefore solutions, the most likely and manageable one seems to be mineral supplements. I take magnesium from time to time but maybe I need to be more consistent.
When I had my blood tested in December, both sodium and potassium were fine so I don't know if I should indulge in electrolyte drinks, except maybe as a treat. The amount of trips to the bathroom seem to suggest I drink enough, I don't feel thirsty and blood sugar was also fine. The only micronutrient deficiency the test revealed was vitamin D, and I've been taking daily supplements for that.
Have you ever experienced calf cramps, especially when stretching right after waking up? Do you even stretch when you wake up? Did you find a fix? Any suggestions?
Resting isn't an option, of course.
And the photo was generated by Gemini, again. Felt too lazy to find one on Pixabay, that site is flooded with AI generated content anyway.
16 people like this
16 responses
@DaddyEvil (141817)
• United States
9 Feb
I can tell you how to get rid of the cramps instantly... Keep some pickle juice handy when you think you'll be getting a cramp and drink a good swallow of pickle juice. The cramp will be gone just like that. (If you don't like pickles, I can tell you the recipe for the mix that pickles soak in. It's easy and something most people have in their homes already.)
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (162238)
• United States
10 Feb
Was it you who was telling @TheHorse "why" this works?
4 people like this
@TheHorse (223331)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Feb
@GardenGerty I do not know why it is supposed to work.
3 people like this
@lilacskies (4537)
• United States
9 Feb
I get so many cramps every time I exercise. I am definitely in bad shape.
2 people like this
@somewitch (2104)
•
10 Feb
@lilacskies It's inspiring to hear you exercise despite the pain you experience. Make sure to not push too hard though, do little but be consistent and you'll be in better shape eventually. 
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4537)
• United States
11 Feb
@somewitch I try to exercise at least once a month, but that's a pipe dream. I haven't exercised once this year, but I managed a whole six times last year. That was a personal record for me. Thank you. I will try!
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2104)
•
11 Feb
@lilacskies What kind of exercise would you usually do?
1 person likes this
@allknowing (141011)
• India
9 Feb
I get cramps too and it could be due to dehydration as I take diuretics. Yes lack of magnesium is also a cause.
2 people like this
@allknowing (141011)
• India
10 Feb
@somewitch The right kind of electrolytes such as magnesium could help. I am not sure about salt.
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2104)
•
10 Feb
@allknowing Apparently I drink and pee a lot, but water needs salt to get out of the system. I remember watching a video about that, like the salt molecules move the water from the organs to the bladder. As hydratation isn't about drinking water only, I think I might actually need more electrolytes. Even more salt in food should do the trick, we'll see.
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2104)
•
10 Feb
@rakski Me too, luckily! It's just when I wake up, my zombie brain must remember one thing - to not stretch - and I'm good to go. 
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (223331)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Feb
@somewitch Let us know if they work.
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2104)
•
11 Feb
@TheHorse It's going to take a while, unlikely I'm going to shop for groceries before Saturday, but who knows.
@somewitch (2104)
•
10 Feb
@TheHorse That means I should really indulge in electrolyte drinks! Can't wait! 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (346574)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Feb
@somewitch Mine is just Vitamin D.
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2104)
•
10 Feb
@JudyEv Free healthcare would provide me with free vitamin D supplements if I were to ask, but my mother got in the way and gave me her special D3 K2 concoction saying it's superior to generic vit D. Do you also take the D3K2 or just D?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (162238)
• United States
10 Feb
Muscle spasms, cramps, are pretty common when stretching, especially if you have just started exercising. I also get them when my body is cold. A remedy many swear by is a swallow of pickle juice. It is helpful, and in someone's post they told why. Most people think it is the sodium in the brine, others think it is the potassium in the vinegar. In the discussion I am remembering the person said it worked because the pickle juice triggers a gland in the back of your throat. I will have to see if I can find the comment.
2 people like this
@somewitch (2104)
•
10 Feb
@GardenGerty Thank you! I think I need(ed) more salt, I had a salty snack a few hours ago and felt manic and had one of the best indoor bike sessions in a while. Interesting how pickle juice is a well known remedy over there, you all seem to agree it works while it's the first time I hear about it.
@wolfgirl569 (111794)
• Marion, Ohio
9 Feb
I seldom get cramps. I walk them off when I do
2 people like this
@somewitch (2104)
•
10 Feb
@wolfgirl569 Oh, I don't think I'd be able to walk them off. But they go away in a matter of seconds, minutes at worst, thankfully. It helps I wake up dazed so it's annoying but not too much.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (82565)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Feb
I have had some in my life but not for a very long time, I hope you find a way to stop them,
2 people like this
@somewitch (2104)
•
10 Feb
@RasmaSandra Thanks, I think I'm very close to a breakthrough. The plan is to add more salt to my meals and perhaps get some gatorade. Sounds good. 
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (106761)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
10 Feb
I have dealt with minor pain in the back of my right shoulder due to my sleep habits in the bed.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (106761)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
11 Feb
@somewitch I changed my sleeping position at night.
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2104)
•
10 Feb
@Deepizzaguy Ouch, not fun! Did you change sleeping position or got some special pillow for that? I tend to sleep on my belly which is not that great for my back.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118280)
• Anniston, Alabama
10 Feb
Yes when I stand on my feet for 8-9 hours. Vitamins do help.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118280)
• Anniston, Alabama
11 Feb
@somewitch magnesium at night. 5000 vitamin d 3 / k2 daily.
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2104)
•
10 Feb
@andriaperry Aww! 
Any specific vitamin? Or do you take multivitamin?
Any specific vitamin? Or do you take multivitamin?1 person likes this
@nela13 (58807)
• Portugal
13 Feb
@somewitch Salted peanuts is a good snack if you don't have high blood pressure.
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2104)
•
13 Feb
@nela13 Yeah, I've mostly met people who had to eat less salt and I guess high blood pressure was the reason. I realized I feel better since I've started being a little more generous with salt in my food, so maybe I'm the black sheep that actually needed to have more than less. 
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2104)
•
12 Feb
@nela13 True, I wouldn't have guessed I was one of the many people with vitamin D deficiency but the blood test result was clear. I should also cut on coffee as it appears it interferes with vitamin D absorption but whatever. 
Due to its diuretic effects, I guess it doesn't help with magnesium either.
I plan to buy salted peanuts next time I shop for groceries, they're supposed to be rich in magnesium and I like them.
Due to its diuretic effects, I guess it doesn't help with magnesium either.
I plan to buy salted peanuts next time I shop for groceries, they're supposed to be rich in magnesium and I like them. 1 person likes this
@Scarred4Lyfe (696)
•
10 Feb
I don't know anything about cows but I can put you in touch with a few dairy farmers that might know something about calves.
1 person likes this
@Scarred4Lyfe (696)
•
11 Feb
@somewitch I do have quite a bit of trouble with them (legs) during hot weather if I get too dehydrated or drink too much caffeine - they especially like to strike just as I wake up and s-t-r-e-t-c-h before getting up - which is an instinctual move..
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2104)
•
11 Feb
@Scarred4Lyfe Right, caffeine causes dehydration.
I don't think I have too much, like 3 espressos and a can of energy drink sometimes. 
I drink enough water, so I'm going to add more electrolytes to my diet (salt).
I don't think I have too much, like 3 espressos and a can of energy drink sometimes.
I drink enough water, so I'm going to add more electrolytes to my diet (salt).1 person likes this
@somewitch (2104)
•
10 Feb
@Scarred4Lyfe I was tempted to post a photo of a baby calf, but the cat got in the way.
I was tempted to post a photo of a baby calf, but the cat got in the way.1 person likes this
@grenery8 (13526)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
13 Feb
@somewitch never heard of gemini site, thanks
. same with me and my neck, arm, shoulder feels; i't's also me exercising non stop. i hope my new doctor got my old chart and will tell me something new or not. but, yes, food is very important here. i read that one man in england decided, due to tight budget to eat 3 same meal courses until his late days. i mean, not sure if i can do that
i hope cramps will subside
. same with me and my neck, arm, shoulder feels; i't's also me exercising non stop. i hope my new doctor got my old chart and will tell me something new or not. but, yes, food is very important here. i read that one man in england decided, due to tight budget to eat 3 same meal courses until his late days. i mean, not sure if i can do that i hope cramps will subside1 person likes this
@somewitch (2104)
•
14 Feb
@grenery8 I had a cramp this morning but generally I'm doing better, thanks.
Hopefully your new doctor knows stuff and is willing to share.
I could eat the same meal once a day, but it has to be one course and once a day at worst.
Hopefully your new doctor knows stuff and is willing to share.
I could eat the same meal once a day, but it has to be one course and once a day at worst. 1 person likes this
@somewitch (2104)
•
11 Feb
@grenery8 It's been months, I haven't stopped exercising despite the cramps.
Hopefully it won't cause anything long term, I'm otherwise fine. I'll try getting more electrolytes, even more salt in food.
Gemini is very good at generating photos, you can try asking to generate one and keep on asking until it forgets what the main prompt was. I wanted a cat stretching but with his eyes closed, eventually it started giving me cats who would sleep. 
Hopefully it won't cause anything long term, I'm otherwise fine. I'll try getting more electrolytes, even more salt in food.
Gemini is very good at generating photos, you can try asking to generate one and keep on asking until it forgets what the main prompt was. I wanted a cat stretching but with his eyes closed, eventually it started giving me cats who would sleep. 1 person likes this
@luisadannointed (7245)
• Philippines
12 Feb
Isn't it because you just started doing that and your body is adjusting to it? But I hope you already get rid of the pain. Aja!
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2104)
•
12 Feb
@luisadannointed It's been a while, my body should have adjusted already. I will try changing my diet, adding more salt and magnesium-rich foods.
@thedevilinme (4256)
• Northampton, England
10 Feb
you're getting old ( or risky in bed) ;-)
1 person likes this
