kq2dc7

Needing help, I'm new to biking and started doing it to lose weight but in the last 9 months it has become an addiction. I'm riding 15 to 20 miles 5 days a week and occasionally ride 5 to 6 miles on single track trails. The mountain bike is a garage sale mongoose but the majority of the miles are on a trek verve.

The problem is at night my legs have a weird feeling. It is not pain or numbness just a different feeling that is starting to make sleeping hard. The feeling is in my thighs.

Anyone else ever had this feeling? If so what did you do to help it?

TakingMyTime

Have you tried stretching before bed? Personally, I found a good stretch before bed can make a world of difference in not only how my legs feel, but how well I sleep that night. I can't hurt to try and it doesn't cost you anything.

AnthonyG

Magnesium deficiency is a likely culprit. Its a big can of worms that I won't go into details about yet I suggest you do some research on Magnesium.

Phil_gretz

Hydration
Stretching
Magnesium

These need to be a routine part of your day. Every day. Do you have a sports physiologist or sports therapist close by? You need someone who can take a close look, examine your range of motion and discuss your routine, and give you guidance better suited to your particulars.

Have you had blood panel(s) run recently? Your GP can order these, but you need a sports oriented physiologist to go through the results with you. The base comparison numbers for "normal" is against an increasingly unhealthy population, so that must be factored into consideration. Excellent sports/health doctors know this, the rest don't care.

MoAlpha

The internet is truly a wonderful thing. We have the patient diagnosed and treated without even having to hear his complaint!

sdmc530

Have you seen a doctor? Seriously, medical issues that might not even be an issue should be diagnosed by a doctor. Probably nothing but a dehydration issue or could be something that needs medical attention.

See you doctor if you can for your own health sake.

Good luck!

nomadmax 

I'm as DIY as you can get, but for health problems I go straight to a board certified doctor for a face to face appointment.

pdlamb

With the symptoms presented the average doctor will prescribe either Tylenol or oxycodone (if they haven't been arrested yet).

OP, we need more of a description than "different feeling in my thighs."

Kedosto

You're in the wrong forum. This isn't "Doctor Forums" this is Bike Forums. You wouldn't stop by your local bike shop to ask them about chest pains or your doctor's office to ask them about adjusting a shifter, right?

Go see your MD.


-Kedosto

Phil_gretz

The original question: Uncomfortable legs, have any of you experienced this, and what did you do? [paraphrased]

This isn't really a medical question, per se. Any more than, "pollen makes my nose itch. What do you guys do for that?" is a medical question.

Many of us have raised children, cared for aging parents and siblings, been to our share of emergency rooms, studied personal and home health care, and learned a lifetime of information about the common human condition. We're pretty well qualified to offer suggestions, ranging from "get more sleep" or "rest more" to "go see your doctor". Any or all of these may be helpful for the OP.

I've been athletic and involved in all sorts of sports for 50 years, and have had most of the common ailments, from sprains, dislocations, cracked bones, herniated discs, concussions, muscle tears, muscle spasms, overuse injuries, crashes, bee stings, dog bites, tick bites, poison ivy and diaper rash. In the OP's case, I stand by my initial advice:

- hydrate
- supplement essential cat-ions
- stretch

followed by:

- physical therapy
- bloodwork

if the condition persists. I might have added "don't ride so much if you're not a pro" to that initial list. Take a rest day.

canklecat

Implying this can't be solved with essential oils, a juice cleanse and some mindfulness.

kq2dc7

This is something that I have never experienced prior to starting the bike riding. That is the only reason I asked here. I am diabetic so I have frequent blood work done and will be going to my Dr in the next week.

In the last nine months I have turned my health around losing 55 pounds and eliminating the need for 3 prescriptions.

hillyman

The Metamorphosis into a cyclist maybe. The Merckx be with you

livedarklions

Hot shower before bed sometimes does the trick for me.

TimothyH

Thank you for this my friend.


-Tim-

clengman

You got the restless leg? I've been feeling a little bit of that at night every once in a while. It's a very strange sensation, not painful, more like the tickle you get in your diaphragm right before a hiccup, except it's in my calf.

I agree with everyone else who says if it's troubling you, you should ask your doc about it.

canklecat

Well done! Seriously, you're on the right track. Path. Bike lane. Wherever you ride.

livedarklions

Didn't see the diabetic part before I posted earlier--definitely discuss this with your doctor. It may very well be nothing, but neuropathy can result in some weird symptoms, and I'm sure you know diabetes can cause that.

Mazel tov on the weight loss and health improvement!

I hope this turns out to be nothing that a hot shower won't treat.

sdmc530

reply of the day, you win! LOL

BobbyG

Most excellent!

canklecat

Yup, losing 55 lbs in less than a year is danged impressive.

My optimal weight is around 150, where I am now. But 15 years ago I was up to 205. And I sure didn't have the self discipline to lose it in a year. I made minor changes in my diet, eliminated most sugars and carbs and gradually got down to 175 by 2015, when I resumed cycling. But the weight didn't come off quickly. I had to cut out most beer to lose the rest. I still have a beer a couple of times a month with friends after group rides. But I don't keep it at home anymore. That really pared down the stubborn belly pudge.

As for the leg discomfort, definitely something to discuss with your doctor. Diabetes is nothing to fool around with and changes to diet and supplements that might be trivial to other folks could be potentially serious with diabetes. Anything that affects your circulation and neuropathy should be discussed with a doctor.

While I enjoy chattering about health, fitness and diet tips, there are limits to how useful these can be when folks have potentially serious health issues.

For example, I had surgery for thyroid cancer last year (doing better now), and had to gradually increase my dosage of levothyroxine. I've been wiped out most of the past year, with only a couple of days a week when my energy level feels close to normal and I can ride the bike a little harder or a little farther. I'm very impatient. But the endocrinologist will approve an increase only every 6-8 weeks, after blood tests, starting at the minimal 25 mcg last year, more recently up to 75. I'm always tempted to just take a little more to experiment. But I don't. Not since a bone density test indicated I have the same osteoporosis and joint deterioration that plagues the rest of my older family. It's a delicate balancing act between metabolism, bone health and the energy level I want.

Occasionally I whine to cycling friends about still lacking my usual energy and stamina. Recently a well meaning friend, who is also a medical specialist (not a doctor), suggested several OTC supplements including some that are purported to boost testosterone. I'm always skeptical of such claims. And I haven't seen any significant improvements using DHEA, pregnenolone and other OTC stuff I've tried. Creatine, maybe, although mostly it makes me pee a lot. But some of the supplements my friend suggested could hinder my thyroid and bone health, by interfering with that delicate metabolic balance. And there's no evidence that the oral versions of HGH type supplements (somatotropin) actually do anything useful. I thanked my friend but decided to just be patient, follow the advice of my various doctors and specialists, and wait a few months to see if my energy gets back to what I'd consider normal.

justslow

Possibly restless legs syndrome? I periodically experience this and it's danged uncomfortable. It comes and goes for me. Your doc is your best friend in this.

livedarklions

I'm anti-supplements generally as I think almost all of them are snake oil, and so poorly regulated that most of them have labels that lie about what's in the bottle. If you buy this otc stuff, you really don't know what you're swallowing.

You probably know more about this than me, but if I had a cancer history, I wouldn't go near creatine. That's an experiment not worth doing.

Here's hoping your powers are restored soon! I'm glad to hear you are doing so well already. Big fan of your posts.

Dan Burkhart 

You could consult with your doctor, or,.....

bakerjw

Great job! It is amazing what a good diet and exercise can do for ones health. I once shaved 52 points off of my LDL in 2 weeks with diet and exercise..