I went surfing, when I got out I could barely walk

Has this happened to anyone else? The water was cold, like 55 degrees farennheit I think, but I was relatively comfortable in my 5/4 front zip.

But when I got out I could barely walk. Researching, I found this does happen, but I had never heard of it before.

Also, its been almost a week, and even tho it gets a little better every day, my legs are still pretty stiff and sore. Been stretching and mild exercise every day.

So I’m almost 70, and have arthritic hips (one has been replaced), but this is a new one for me.

Has anyone here experienced this or heard of it?? (Growing old sucks!)

Almost sounds like you describing the claudification of PAD.
If it persists, you may want to see a vascular specialist.

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Googling “claudification of PAD” … peripheral artery disease - will keep an eye on it, and do some more research, thnx for the headsup.

I have struggled with night time leg cramps for years. But my diet is healthy, weight is good, regular cardio exercise, so doesn’t seem like I’d be at risk for PAD.

But clearly something is going on

@Huck, for sure, growing old is not easy. I admire that you are still getting out and getting wet.

-20F this morning here. Sending warm thoughts and some entertainment your way. It’s been a great long while since I have been frozen into a wetsuit.

Ice Beard Surfing

Wow!! No chance I could surf that

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Diet and exercise are critical. But it is hard to eliminate genetics.

In retrospect, when I was 60, I had temporary claudification while I was at a professional conference once. It was a real chore to walk a few blocks. I suspect I threw a clot while traveling which cleared by the end of the conference. I was lucky!

If it persists, you might want to have it checked out.

TX winter surf could get very cold. Only problem I had was numb feet without booties. I avoid cold water these days.

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Another possibility for your nighttime leg cramps could be low blood potassium.
Low sodium V-8 is a quick source of potassium.
I watch my potassium intake very closely, without exceeding RDA.

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I used to have this problem more than I do now; I think getting a better wetsuit helped a bit. I find that often when I get out I am surprised by how hard it is to walk up the stairs, and sometimes I get leg cramps near the end of a session. I attribute that to my not relaxing and being too tense. I’ve spoken to doctors about these symptoms, and have been told to do more warm-up exercises before going in, and to take magnesium at night. As for being able to relax more, that depends a lot on the conditions …

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Carefully managing magnesium and potassium intake can make a significant difference. I do this.
Knock on wood, but I have never had muscle cramping problems exercising or during strenuous physical activity.

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Ricky - this parallels my experience in several ways, including the leg cramps toward the end of the session (well once the leg cramps start, that is the end of the session lol).

Looking up the explanation of claudification (pain) of PED, I can see too many similarities to my situation to eliminate the possibility. On the other hand, there are a lot of issues associated with PED that just don’t apply - smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise, high blood pressure, none of those apply to me. But as stoneburner pointed out, there can be other issues.

I have been taking potassium and magnesium supplements, and also find drinking pickle juice helps with the cramps.

I also have a new 5/4 wetsuit. So I was comfortable during this surf session, and did not experience any leg cramps. However, I did notice some leg weakness that affected my pop up, which I attributed to having pulled a muscle in that leg recently just by popping out of bed too quickly one morning (to break up a cat fight outside my window). I compensated on the next wave, and managed to pop up ok, Got two more waves, which went well, but I noticed a lack of leg strength.

So I am healing slowly, every day gets a little better, but its been almost a week and it is surprising to me that my legs are still a bit stiff and a bit sore. I will definitely have to keep an eye on this situation, and maybe I need to be more regular with my supplements.

My bad, it is spelled “claudication,” as in “Intermittent Claudication.”
Don’t let it get worse. It can be treated.

The Stand-UP and Step-Up exercises I do are very effective leg exercises that can be done in a small space (2’ X 6’) — inside during any type of weather.

I hope you’re feeling better soon Huck. Definitely get checked out. I had an issue many moons ago with a terrible wetsuit. I toughed it out in Winter long enough to get 2nd stage hypothermia once where my muscles were starting to lock up and stiffen. They were a bit sore and stiff for a few days after.
Sounds like you have a good wetty though.

Thnx for all the replies! I appreciate the input, I am still trying to process this.

Yes, thankfully diet & exercise have been a priority for years. Genetics I have no control over but thankfully there is no history of heart problems in my family. My mother & sister suffered from high blood pressure, but it has never been a problem for me. The water was cold, about 55 degrees, but my wetsuit kept me reasonably comfortable. I am thinking the cold water had to be a factor, but it wasn’t like an ice plunge. Feet were not numb. If it continues to be a problem I will take your advice & have it checked out.

Claudication, got it. Good catch, I didn’t notice, even after googling it.

Thnx. I have a manual of exercises & stretches that are helping. Its been a full week now, and while the pain is nearly gone, there is still a lingering soreness. Very strange.

I don’t know if you are in the U.S. but health care here is a joke. I could call today, and get an appointment in maybe 6-8 weeks. A general practitioner would see me and refer me to a specialist. That would take another 6-8 weeks. The specialist would offer to prescribe me some pain meds, maybe some muscle relaxant meds, and likely some physical therapy. They would say keep an eye on it, and if it gets worse come back. The physical therapy is a list of exercises you are given on a clipboard, check them off as you go and turn in your clipboard on the way out. So I will hold off to see how things go first. I was gonna go surfing today but California is on fire between me & the beach, so I will wait. The wetsuit is a pain to get on, but pretty warm & comfortable once its on.

Thankfully neither have I. I have had leg cramps at night, and sometimes while resting, occasionally while surfing, but never while exercising or doing strenuous physical activity.

Hey Huck, no I’m in New Zealand, no better here sadly! I’m sorry to hear that you’re close to the fires for some reason I thought you were further South than that. I hope you’re safe. As with many things in life, maybe surfing will be the cure??!!

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Update. I went surfing again a few days ago. Could not even stand up, too much pain in my right leg (my front leg as I pop up).

I have a dr.’s appt scheduled but its looking and feeling more and more like its probably a hip arthritis issue, once the cartilage is gone and the hip joint is bone on bone this is what happens.

I went thru this on my left hip and had it replaced a few years back.

So I will likely have to make a decision on another surgery, but looks like my surfing days are over, at least for now :frowning:

I may start another thread on quitting surfing at age 70, as I consider paipo surfing, SUP, or maybe just hanging it up. Just thoughts to consider until I know more.