Cramped out lake wading.

[Dancer]

Great morning, water clear & flat. Did a little community service finding nails, spikes, etc from around sand volleyball court. Pulled on waders and went on out. First hit, quarter than junk, junk. Than in about 3/half feet left ankle cramped. Man that hurt. Couldn't get it out. Finally put all my weight on it and it came out. Started using right foot for scooping, bingo same thing. Never had this happen before. Maybe getting old, maybe the waders, probably need more water time to break myself in. Sure glad I wasn't in deeper water.

 

[dgruff]

Glad you didn't have something bad happen! I get the cramps sometimes when I'm done, and back at home.
I've been in the water twice now, in the last two weeks. And what's frustrating to me, is recovery. Can't see squat once you start scooping. I just plain gave up on a couple of targets, but they were probably cans anyway.

 

[mudpuppy]

Hmmm, those cramps can really put a guy down...one way around this is to use your scoop like a hoe instead of a shovel...you might be low on potassium, so eat a banana and go back out!
Mud

 

[dgruff]

HA! Funny you should say that, Mud. My wife is ALWAYS trying to get me to eat a banana, lol.

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

Diabetic medication can cause cramping/charlie horse.

 

[John(Tx)]

I take a potassium tablet before heading to the water and it sure does help alot.....hate those cramps, they do hurt, I think age does have something to do with it, I'm 66....HH

 

[WaterWalker]

I was getting leg / ankle cramps quite frequently form water detecting. Spoke with my doctor and she recommended that I take 250mg of Magnesium daily. Blood work is still in the acceptable range for Magnesium and no cramps for over four years.

 

[Dancer]

I'm going to start hitting the Bananas first. See how that goes. The Potassium tabs next. If they don't help might have to see Doc about a complete overhaul. I'm 65, no sugar yet, wts. in line, blood pressure good. But that was couple years ago. So thanks for all the tips guys. I'm heading out soon for a little mud slinging.

 

[pasttom]

I am only 64 so I wait to have my legs cramp after I get home. I've read / been told by do gooders (wife) that muscle cramps maybe indicate lack of proper hydration. So have a drink with your banana! And make it water!

 

[Johnnyanglo]

Here's some causes of foot cramps:

Muscle fatigue or stress
Poor circulation
Malnutrition
Vitamin D deficiency
Obesity
Diabetes
Flat feet
Injury or trauma
Hormone imbalance
Increase in activities/exercises
Failure to stretch foot muscles daily
Dehydration
Thyroid gland malfunction
Improper footwear
Foot problems such as sore feet
Pinched nerve

I'd guess the main culprit: poor circulation caused by cold water on the extremities combined with fatigue of weaker foot muscles that get little use. I know I'm done detecting when my feet begin to cramp - usually at the 6-8 hour point. The kneeling and rising, the stepping on the scoop all combine to fatigue the weaker foot muscles. If I push it and stay longer then the foot cramps up big time, so I take the early warning as a sign it's about time to quit for the day. As a kid, I'd walk barefoot in the cold river water on roundish river rocks and within minutes that water and foot stress would have my big toe crossed over the other toes in one painful giant cramp - a dozen bananas wouldn't have helped uncross that toe. I'm thinking, the more you hunt the stronger the foot muscle becomes -- eventually you may be able to outlast your detector batteries.

 

[WaterWalker]

AARP.org just emailed out a quiz on leg cramps. It is an 8 fun question "test" and gives some good info on the subject.
Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium are by AARP to be the best helpers along with stretching to help prevent leg cramps.
Try un-tucking you sheets at night, waking up every two-three hours to stretch your legs.
Statins can increase the frequency of leg cramps.
And the origin of the "Horse or Charlie Cramp" nickname.

search for AARP.org leg cramp quiz - there is also an article on the subject for more info.

 

[togamac]

My answer for everything is to get on the bike religiously. I'm 73, ride the bike at least three times a week for 8-10 miles a clip and do water hunting with waders. The only time I get cramps is while sleeping if I forget to have a big drink of water before going to bed. Try it!

 

[Dancer]

Used to get leg cramps in bed once in a while. Wife seen a tip on putting thin, used bars of soap under bottom sheet of bed. (Down, between knee & feet.) Rarely get cramps in bed anymore.
It works for us, go figure.

 

[NEBeachcomber]

I am only 64 so I wait to have my legs cramp after I get home. I've read / been told by do gooders (wife) that muscle cramps maybe indicate lack of proper hydration. So have a drink with your banana! And make it water!

I'm 61 and I agree... improper hydration will definitely cause leg cramps. (I've experienced them and drinking water helped to relieve them.)

If your susceptible to leg cramps I would take a potassium table (or eat a banana) and drink a large glass of water before you go out to hunt. I'd also take along a bottle of water as well.

Happy (pain free) Hunting,
NEBechcomber

 

[pasttom]

Just adding an Amen to the bar of soap thing. My wife had horrible night time leg cramps and got talked into doing the soap as a 'what could it hurt'. No more cramps. She didn't feel comfortable with it because there is no reasonable explanation as to why it helps. I was getting some leg cramps in bed and made the mistake of saying so. She soaped my side and darn it no more night cramps. I really was conflicted as I didn't want it to work, but I didn't like the painful cramps more. So... What could it hurt?

 

[mudpuppy]

Thats Funny!

A bygum sliver of soap!?

I wonder what would happen if you put a banana underneath your sheets? Deducing a logical thought process pattern, I would surmise YOU would want a drink of water, and your WIFE would not need you around anymore!...
Mud