Chronic lower back and calf pumps

[MR-FQ320]

Right, so, had problems with calf and lower back pumps before this particular steroid cycle, basically I can't run or jog say a mile before front/side of calf / shin bones pump like craZy. Back is equally as bad, can't even Hoover up for 10 mins before I become debilitated, had to get rid of my road cycle because of the position it put me in. Now I'm on cycle the pumps have doubled in intensity, frequency and for longer periods. Tried supplementing with Taurine, 5g made little difference. Had blood tests and X-ray with docs, all came back normal. Thoughts and ideas please.

[kelkel]

Consider Potassium FQ?

[MR-FQ320]

Not yet Kel, a little research and I'm finding no real dosage amounts, apart from the national herb and vitamin store (holland and barrett), stating no more than 4x99mg to be taken in one day, i will be purchasing some and running a trial whatever, thanks man.

[MR-FQ320]

5 large bananas, 5g taurine 2 ibuprofen 2 paracetamol made zero difference. The only thing that caused some relief is this stuff applied locally.

[MR-FQ320]

Lying down with legs at 45' up alleviates the pump as well. Gonna try and borrow some gravity boots

[kelkel]

Is it more a pump or mild cramping?

[MR-FQ320]

Pretty sure it's a pump.

Laid decline on an ab board for a few minutes in the gym tonight, pain alleviates greatly, did some hyper extensions and good mornings, now it's crazy pump twice as bad as it's been all day, managed to drive home, laid on bed for 15 mins with legs at 45', pain disappears.

I'm thinking that there's too much downward pressure on my spine when normally standing or bending and that I actually need to put work in to strengthening lower back, stretching out the spine regularly, maybe some core stability exercises.

[Khazima]

Pretty sure it's a pump.

Laid decline on an ab board for a few minutes in the gym tonight, pain alleviates greatly, did some hyper extensions and good mornings, now it's crazy pump twice as bad as it's been all day, managed to drive home, laid on bed for 15 mins with legs at 45', pain disappears.

I'm thinking that there's too much downward pressure on my spine when normally standing or bending and that I actually need to put work in to strengthening lower back, stretching out the spine regularly, maybe some core stability exercises.

Remember to keep your spine neutral during all exercises. I suffer really bad lower back pumps as well, especially during deadlifts, squats and bent over rows. I couldn't imagine doing good mornings and I cut out hyper extensions a long time ago haha.

The way I deal with it is just by using a foam roller between sets and bending over all the time to stretch out the lower back, it feels like it lets some of the blood flow out of there, also hanging off a chin-up bar is some temporary relief. When it gets really bad I just lay down.

[lovbyts]

They may also be unrelated. The shin pumps as you call them sound more like shin splints. You might try a different running style as in not such a long stride or make sure you are not coming down to hard on your feet, a smoother stride.

Are you using new or different running shoes? You might try so new/cushier ones or ones with a bigger arch support?

[Flatus78]

Dear MR-FQ320
Regarding your calves problem, maybe you have chronic compartment syndrome, aka exertional compartment syndrome, i.e. usually affects the anterior compartment of the shin where you find the m.tibialis anterior(one of it functions is to dorsiflexing the foot). Somtimes physio can help, e.g. if they massage across the musclefibers to "loosen" up the fascia surrounding the muscles. Other therapies are NSAIDs and stretching, and lastly op. to open the fascia if conservative treatment does not help.

Best of luck, and hope you eventually figure out what your problem is, this was just a suggetion or tentative diagnosis. Please give us some feedback on how things are going, maybe we can learn somethings.

[MR-FQ320]

Right, I eventually booked myself in at the docs, had blood tested and X-rays, they came back all clear. He suggested to see a physio guy, so a month later I had my appointment with him, he says my posture is unnatural, my hips are tilting forwards and would be tipping water out of the the front if hypothetical buckets of water would be attached to my hips, he gave me some exercises to do that stretch my lower back and mobilises it, he also suggested Pilates. Done some of those exercises for a few weeks and the pain is easing, not tried running yet but I am hoping it will solve that too.