Long drives - leg cramps - any tricks

[ashman155]

Have you tried compression socks. That helps with circulation. Move your legs around if you can when driving, or take a 10 -15 rest and stretch your legs that is what I do.

[CaptBill]

Originally Posted by CountryB

Thanks for the tip on the potassium. I'll look at getting some OTC supplements. Can't hurt.

On the water - yes. That's a good ideal too - and then I will need to stop every couple of hours for that... - and get in some walking.

Yes, drink more water, but I'd bet that you also have a magnesium deficiency. Buy a bottle of Magnesium glycinate (highly absorbable), and start taking one or 2 every day, with a bottle of water. Bet your muscle cramps will be a thing of the past.

[moonmanvt]

Stay hydrated! We stop every 100 miles or so to just move around a bit. Usually we walk about 1/4 each stop.

[Bazou7101]

Originally Posted by CountryB

I'm writing to see is any one has dealt with (or has a solution for) leg cramps on long drives. I'm only good for a couple of hours (even just sitting in a plane or at a desk) before my legs start to get antsy. It's sort of like the start of a RLS episode (which I suffer from too).

Other than pulling over and walking around for a bit, are there any tips or remedies that I can use so I can get a few more hours of driving in before needed to stop for the night?

Any doctor will tell you that sitting for too long is bad for your legs as the blood circulation isn't done properly. 2 hours none stop is too much time sitting. Personally I stop every hour and walk around for 5 to 10 minutes to rest the legs, the back, the nerves etc. I like to check my tires every hour with a laser thermometer, take bearing temp as well. I figure it's all part of driving a big rig responsibly, after all I'm suppose to be on vacation.

[chiliman]

If you have not done so get your legs (and groin/pelvis area) checked for blood clots. It is an ultrasound exam. Painless but takes some time to do a good one.

Blood clots are nothing to fool with. I had a PE last December. It was not caused by leg blood clots and I did not have cramping but leg cramping can be a sign of excessive blood clotting. The cause of my clotting was a discovered cancer (discovered while diagnosing the PE).

I do have a sciatic issue which is caused by a small muscle near the Sciatic nerve in the buttocks region. Luckily my Sig Other is a massage therapist and that helps as well as a simple exercise I can use. That issue will periodically cause my one leg to get really sore and stiff.

Generally leg cramping at night, etc. is caused by a lack of magnesium not potassium. Magnesium supplements are easy to find. As we get older our body's ability to absorb magnesium from our food diminishes thus supplementation.

[mtmsfx]

Originally Posted by CountryB

I'm writing to see is any one has dealt with (or has a solution for) leg cramps on long drives. I'm only good for a couple of hours (even just sitting in a plane or at a desk) before my legs start to get antsy. It's sort of like the start of a RLS episode (which I suffer from too).

Other than pulling over and walking around for a bit, are there any tips or remedies that I can use so I can get a few more hours of driving in before needed to stop for the night?

I wear these.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Used to fly to Europe on business and these were great to prevent DVT.

[GrayDog]

Originally Posted by CountryB

I'm writing to see is any one has dealt with (or has a solution for) leg cramps on long drives. I'm only good for a couple of hours (even just sitting in a plane or at a desk) before my legs start to get antsy. It's sort of like the start of a RLS episode (which I suffer from too).

Other than pulling over and walking around for a bit, are there any tips or remedies that I can use so I can get a few more hours of driving in before needed to stop for the night?

you should alos stop at l;east every couple hours and get out for a few minites to stretch your legs and feet. And like others have stated, drink lots of water and have your potasium checked.

[Enjoy Life]

Walmart sells a ton of stuff for leg cramps.

https://www.walmart.com/search/?cat_...ery=leg+cramps

Hope you find something.

[Moira]

Theraworx for leg cramps, people swear by it.

[scaleram]

The six way adjustable captain's chair gets a workout starting at about hour 2. At hour 3, I stop at a rest stop, and walk around a bit.

[Renipladlo]

Well being old, it is very hard to miss any rest area for call of nature, this is amplified by how much coffee I drink before leaving for the day's drive. Since I get to stop so often, my legs don't cramp as a rule. However, take your wallet out of your pants, lower the front of the seat, so the flow of blood is not restricted. If you don't also drink lots of water, and stay hydrated, that will cause the cramps. Additionally, studies have shown, older folks don't get enough vitamin B-12, so you might want to get a supplement of that, get the sublingual type, it melts under your tongue, and it's listed in size as micrograms, around 2500 mcg every other day should be enough. If you take any heart/bp/blood thinners, then ignore this part, but every other day of travel, I take an aspirin this keeps my blood a little thinner, and I don't worry about cramps/clots in those long days of driving.

[picker]

Drink a LOT OF WATER............much more than you think you will need.

[sanfordja]

I sometimes get severe leg cramps at night. I take a couple teaspoons of mustard and within 30 seconds the muscles start to relax. Sounds crazy. My daughter told me this a few years back and I thought it was an old wives tale. I decided to give it a try thinking it was a crazy idea but, it has worked every time. I prefer the brown mustard but it works with the yellow mustard as well. Might be worth a try!!

[Karenys]

Don't know how to prevent them but Husband gets horrible leg cramps and a tablespoon of mustard (regular hot dog mustard) makes them go away within a minute. Worth a try.