Piriton and cramp.

Sometimes a position change works to fend off the spasm (as I said I do tend to be able to control the quad cramps), but my cramps tend to come when I'm standing on the pedals or pushing really hard in a sitting position. As you've experienced cramp you know that if you get a bad dose in both legs 32m of climbing becomes almost impossible let alone 3200.

Rokkala wrote:

I've ended up with quad cramps in nearly every race i've done this year. Thought initially it might be getting used to the prolonged intensity, then maybe too much caffeine intake. Cut that out and still got it, and i'm always properly hydrated. So no idea what the cause is =[

Too much liquid can be a problem as it effectively dilutes your electrolytes. I use Hammer nutrition Endurolytes to keep my salt levels up, and throughout Autumn, Winter and Spring they've worked, which is why I think (hope) my current cramp problem is down to Piriton. Other thoughts - tonic water (quinine is the active anti-cramp ingredient) and Tums, the indigestion tablets. Dunno why they work but some people find they do.

Cramp, like hamstring pulls, seem to affect people differently. A few years back I "pulled" a hamstring playing football and was unable to play again for nearly 3 months, whereas some people claim to have hamstring strains and play again in a week or so. Same with cramps - I do have them at a manageable level, but also I have really debillitating ones. Worst was 3 or 4 years ago on a really cold day when I felt my quad muscles start to spasm and thought that I'd better stretch them. In a moment of stupidity I stood on the pedals to go up a slight rise which of course contracted the muscles, and instantly both legs locked rigid for a minute or so (seemed like 10) and only passed off as I made a controlled fall onto the pavement. After that I was done for and had to get a lift home, and those muscles seemed to be close to cramping for a couple of weeks afterwards, during which time I dared not ride. So I guess what I'm tryiing to say is that some cramps do cause longer term effects that only rest and stretching will cure, so perhaps you need to take a week or two off the bike, or at least spin very easily for a few days so as not to strain the cramping muscle.

One other thing that I found beneficial is a series of stretches and strengthening exercises "prescribed" to me by my Chiropractor. I went to him with a lower back problem yet I could feel the difference in my tendency to cramp, as well as my on bike comfort, within two to three weeks. It's surprising how many seemingly unconnected niggly ailments the Chiropractor treatment has helped, but cramp is one of the most significant.

Sorry about the nonsense Pinkerton, I didn't do GSCE Biology. Nevertheless I did Google homeostasis as you suggested and now wholly concur with your assertion that "If plasma potassium etc was "diluted" people would literally drop dead". However, I also discovered something called Hyponatremia. The description I found of that says: "A low sodium level (hyponatremia) may result from not consuming enough sodium in the diet, excreting too much (in sweat or urine), or being overhydrated. The sodium level may decrease when a person drinks a lot of water without consuming enough salt . My rudimentary grasp of O Level English leads me to read that as too much liquid effectively diluting sodium levels, and although sodium is an electrolyte I recognise that it is only one of them. So I apologise for my rash generalistion and will endeavour to be more specific in future and not say electrolytes when I should have said some electrolytes or even one electrolyte.

aguillar wrote:

I believe that Piriton is one of the very early anti-histamines and blocks a broad range of biological processes including the histamine reaction. This is why it had side effects like drowsiness. The more recent drugs such as cetirizine and levocetirizine amongst a number of others are much more targeted than piriton and have less side effects. Keep trying different ones, it is worth the effort to find one that suits you as I would say piriton is to be avoided where possible.

Took your advice Aguillar and have been on cetirizine hydrochloride for the last two days. So far so good - fewer hayfever symptoms than when I'm on Piriton and also less drowsiness. The bigger test will be tomorrow after I've ridden 65 miles with 1600m of ascent - if I don't cramp during the ride, and am not streaming in nose and eyes afterwards, then I'm converted for sure.

Thanks for the advice.

Radioactiveman - would never use Piriton on children except in syrup form as an antihistamine but it certainly does make you drowsy. My wife occasionally pops one before bed if she's had a couple of nights where she's had trouble dropping off to sleep and it knocks her out every time. When I've been on it this year I feel that if I stop, sit down and relax I'll be fighting off sleep within 45 minutes at any time of day, and waking up in the morning is hard which is a problem that I don't usually have.

rdt - I have to be honest and say that, at this stage, cetirizine is the most effective antihistamine I've ever used as it has almost completely nullified my symptoms and does so for as close to 24 hours as makes no difference. I'd almost be tempted to call it a summertime life changing discovery.