Analgesia related cramps, and hydration

[Suzy R Sopham]

With orienteering being such a physically demanding sport and the likelyhood of injury, I was wondering how many people take prophylactic analgesia before they run?

I personally always take an NSAID (eg. ibuprofen / nurofen / voltarol /aspirin) before I run, but was interested in an article entitled “NSAID Use Increases The Risk of Developing Hyponatremia during an Ironman Triathlon� in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (Vol. 38, No. 4), the authors concluded: “This study shows that NSAIDs are commonly used in ultraendurance events and that their use is associated with an increased risk of the development of biochemically diagnosed exertional hyponatremia. The effect is likely due to an alteration of renal function.�

Hyponatraemia (low blood sodium concentration) can lead to symptoms similar to dehydration (lethargy, confusion, muscle twitching, headache, nausea&vomiting) and also muscle cramps. On a warm day, an orienteer can also lose sodium from excess sweating, and then dilute their sodium levels even further by over-hydrating with large volumes at the finish.

I have started using the camelbak catylist (waist-belt water carrier) whilst running, and going for the philosophy of small amounts of fluids regularly and often, and an electrolyte sports drink afterwards. I've noticed that I don't cramp-up anywhere near as much!

I was just wondering what other people's views are on stopping cramps / hydrating.

[ifititches]

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... wsid=41989

should take you to review of an article on runners' hyponatraemia which hasn't appeared in JRCM yet, even though I'm sure I've read it somewhere. Low Na+ can be dangerous from a heart point of view too, as well as the confusion.
It's never occurred to me to take analgesia prophylactically, unless I had a long-standing and explained pain to start with, which I could safely suppress. Pains are usually your body trying to tell you something, so don't think I'd want to suppress one that hasn't happened yet!

[Adventure Racer]

I agree with ifititches on the taking analgesia prophylactically. Afterwards by all means if you need it to reduce inflammation, or even during in the case of a long race (ibuprofen is the A Racers drug of choice!) I can't actually see the point of taking something like this beforehand just in case you get an injury (or is it just for normal muscle soreness - in which case even more dodgy?) Is likely to mask a niggle which might otherwise make you stop and protect it. Not to mention the fact that most of these sorts of drugs do have their side effects - ibuprofen certainly can cause kidney problems if taken regularly over the long term, hence why although I do use it I try not to use it too much - only if I have an injury where I want to reduce the inflammation.

Hyponatraemia has caused deaths (a woman in the Chicago marathon?) so is not something to be taken lightly either. Your solution of using a camelbak is highly recommended though, and something more people should try when training, as good hydration is very important.

Thank goodness for cut-and-paste - I'd never have managed all those long words otherwise (though still had to Google NSAID)

[Toni]

I've only taken ibuprofen twice while racing - after the running section of the rat race in edinburgh last year as my legs were already tightening and I thought it might have an effect that would help me start out on the second day. The second time was yesterday between Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike as otherwise I thought I would struggle to get out of the van for the next leg. If I feel this bad having taken some ibuprofen I dread to think what I would be like without. Although you may tell me that in such small quantities it didn't help at all - I have no idea....

Three peaks was awesome though - 10 teams of 6 from Leeds Met and the Rugby League. 19hours 3minutes for us.

[grubby]

duplicate

[grubby]

Assuming a base level of fitness, I have only ever been able to run for a max of two and a half hours. When I discovered salt tablets, (now only available as 'slow release' tablets) I was able to extend my races to maybe three and a half hours.
Obviously, this is no good for mountain marathons which I have always enjoyed (!)
The answer is Quinine sulphate, taken on prescription. (Just go to your Doc and explain the situation) However, this only usually takes me to about five hours but by replenishment of the Quinine, salt tablets and water, I just about get by. I had a moderate 'bang' of cramp in the C course of the LAMM this year which wasted 6 minutes while I rolled around gnashing my teeth. Didn't drink enough.
Ladies - I believe the muscles of the womb are about 5 or 6 inches long and go into painful spasm during labour/child birth. My quads are 16 inches long. . . . . when they get cramp. . . that's real pain !!

. . . I'll get my coat. . .

[Copepod]

Most babies (head to bum length only, as they are curled up inside the uterus) are longer than 5 to 6 inches, nearer 16 inches (or the length of Grubby's quads) when they are born, so presumably, the uterus muscles are longer than 5 to 6 inches at childbirth?!? And childbirth / labour (especially the first one) usually goes on longer than a 3 or 4 hr race.

[grubby]

. . . . . . I thought it was like shelling peas. . . . ??

[Tatty]

So how many babies have you had?

[housewife]

I recently got shingles at the start of a cycling holiday. Shingles is really pretty painful, and I was prescribed some painkillers called tramadol, which I was advised to take on top of the full dose of paracetamol. We averaged 120k a day and I felt absolutely no muscle or joint pain or stiffness at all. These drugs were good!!! No use for orienteering as they make you drowsy. I can see how people gat addicted to paikillers now though.