Charlie Horse - Is it a vitamin or mineral deficiency?

I have maybe had two or three charlie horses in my life, but this week alone I have had three.  Anyone experience an increase in these since surgery?  I seem to recall it being some kind of vitamin or mineral deficiency.

Thanks,

Val

It can be due to a deficiency. Are you taking calcium? Sometimes it is salt, sometimes potassium or magnesium.

Up until Wednesday I was only cleared to take a multi-vitamin.  I have since started taking calcium, B12, and iron.  I think I will start taking a potassium too.

Don't take potassium unless you know you are low.

I got charlie horses really bad in my calves after surgery.  Partly because of dehydration and partly because I just jumped into my calcium supplement at full dose.  I was told too much calcium too fast can cause the charlie horses as well. 

I'd say it could be dehydration too...I used to get charlie horses a lot in college after a longgggggggg night of drinking

I used to get them when I was low on potassium,   eating a few dill pickles helped with that.

When my potassium is on the lower end of normal, I get really bad Charlie Horses.  Now that I am taking potassium daily,  I have not had any.   Bananas/ Orange Juice/ Red Meat/Salmon/Cod all are great sources of potassium.