Severe cramps and ADT

[Gym-rat]

I have led a very active life running long distance races and long bike rides. So I’m used to getting some moderate leg cramps after a long workout. I’ve been able to minimize them by taking electrolyte drinks.

Once I started ADT (Lupron, abiraterone, prednisone), I started getting severe leg cramps at night. So bad and long lasting that they made me nauseous. These were coupled with occasional toes curling suddenly and very painfully and also jaw suddenly clenching. All these occurred at night while sleeping.

I started eliminating various things from my diet trying to figure out if there was a connection. It turned out to be chocolate! I was adding a heaping tablespoon of cocoa powder to my protein shakes twice a day. Once I eliminated the chocolate the severe cramping in all forms went away. I tried adding smaller amounts back in my protein shakes but the severe cramps came back no matter how small the measurement.

The issue then was to determine if it was the Lupron or the Abi that was causing the cramps. Since I had to take both daily I could not find out until last week. Due to a spike in liver enzymes, the MO as me off Abi for two weeks. I added a heaping tablespoon of cocoa to the protein shakes the first day. No severe cramping going on three days.

So once I start back up on Abi I will again need to eliminate to chocolate from my diet. As much as I love the taste of chocolate its not worth the excruciating cramps.

Just wonder if anyone else found this connection between Abiraterone, chocolate and severe cramps? (or other foods that trigger the cramps)

[RunThru]

Great job to date! I had similar issues when I was on abi+pred. In the middle of a 30 mile bike hot day my lower legs cramped pretty bad. I'm pretty sure it had something to do with prednisone.

[Spyder54]

Gym-rat,

You have to drink a shxx ton of water. Probably 30% more than before the ADT2. That and banana’s and/or electolyte infused water.

Best, Mike

[Gym-rat in reply to Spyder54]

Good point! I always think I am drinking enough water but now that activity has increased I did not increase water intake. My wife measures her daily water intake. Looks like I need to do the same. Thanks!

[Lettuce231]

Fascinating, I used to like chocolate, but went off it. I read a handful of peanuts will help to combat cramps. Its worked for me.

Good luck 👍

[London441]

Agree with Spyder 54. You will not get a great deal of parallel input since your activity level, by your account, has actually increased on ADT. Which is good but very uncommon.

I have been there. Water, potassium, electrolytes. More than you think you need. Try it for a while, it can’t hurt and is much more likely to reduce or eliminate the cramping than titration of chocolate or anything else. When I cramp it’s always due to insufficient hydration.

[Gym-rat in reply to London441]

yes! Will definitely try this.

[sillyoyster in reply to London441]

Is gatoraid a good choice for electrolytes? What do you consider proper hydration?

[London441 in reply to sillyoyster]

Gatorade is a good choice for plenty of dextrose, which you don’t need any of. If it’s the ‘zero’ variety it’s plenty of sucralose, which you don’t need any of either. Artificial sweeteners tend to trigger overeating-especially carbs- which is why diet soda etc is a mistaken choice of the overweight.

Electrolyte fortified water with a natural flavoring is nice. Overall you probably don’t need to focus on it too much.

Hydration is everything to an athlete, but most of us are not working hard enough to need huge amounts of water. Be honest about how hard you’re working, but I just start each day with about 30 oz just to oil the machine so to speak. If this seems like a lot it may well be for you.

You can get by on small amounts, but many tend to neglect it to a degree that is unhealthy for even a modestly active person. IMO cramping is a clear signal from the body of not enough water. ADT and aging itself can exacerbate cramping so extra water is a good thing to try.

Again, short term it’s entirely harmless to drink more. If you find it helps there you go. If not then try other things. At the end of the day cramping might just one more thing you have to accept a bit of. I’m sure you already have some general experience with that😀

[sillyoyster in reply to London441]

Thanks for the reply. I will give extra H2O a go!

[Fightinghard]

ask dr to check potassium level. The extra hydration (good) can wash out too much potassium. Easy to suppliment

[birdwatcher2 in reply to Fightinghard]

Although there is no RDA for potassium the adult over 50 recommendation by other agencies is 3500mg. So one 99 mg pill is not going to do much. Fortunately potassium is in about everything we eat so a good diet gets you there. I have recently started adding more potassium rich foods and now I don't get the leg swelling from sodium intake. I don't have high blood pressure. A good diet would easily overcome any "wash out" of potassium from over hydration. healthline.com/nutrition/ho...

[RoseDoc]

I found pickle juice to be helpful

[CrocodileShoes]

I also get terrible leg cramps at night, and don't eat chocolate. For me, the only thing that help is to take an electrolyte supplement

[dagreer]

I get those same cramps from statins

[j-o-h-n]

Leg cramp? Push your toes backwards (towards your nuts or thereabouts)....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 06/26/2023 2:20 PM DST

[LongTimeRunning]

I'm a big chocolate fan and taking abi+pred. Haven't noticed any connection with cramps, but I've never been prone to cramps so there may be a connection. I ran a marathon earlier this month but, other than the amplified pain from running a marathon with only a couple of 16 mile+ runs in the bank and breaking in new shoes, no cramps. Took abi+pred before the race.