Question:
Has anyone experienced severe leg cramps after surgery?
Over the past week I have had the most painful cramps in my legs. It is in the calf, but in the front outside muscles. It causes my feet to pull outward. I get it in either leg. The only thing that I have tried is a tsp of mustard before I go to bed and that seems to work pretty good. I have called my surgeon, but have heard nothing yet. Thanks ED — Pankakes25 (posted on November 18, 2008)
November 17, 2008
This could be due to a lack of potassium. Have you tried smashing up a
banana and eating that to see if it helps?
Jacque
— letsonj
November 17, 2008
Hello Ed,
Congratulations on your surgery! You are on your way to a wonderful new
you.
As for the leg cramps, Oh Boy, I can relate to them. I use to get them
every night for about 2 months after my lapband surgery.
I would take Tonic water w/Quinine to help relieve the cramping. I know
you aren't suppose to drink carbonated beverages but I would pour the cup
in the morning and drink it before bed so there were no bubbles. Now I
make sure to drink lots of water during the day. If I don't do that
faithfully I get cramps in my legs again and know that I have not taken in
enough water for a few days.
Believe that these awful cramps will go away and you will be pain free in
just a short while.
Best of luck in your journey, you have lots of folks walking the path with
you.
Mary-Anne
— mannecote
November 17, 2008
I had a lot of leg cramps too. My doc told me to drink Gatorade in order to
get in extra potassium. It worked fairly well. Dehydration itself can cause
cramps as well. So...drink, drink, drink! Good luck!
— AprilJM
November 17, 2008
Hi Ed, Yes I have the same problem especially after working out I tried
bananas but did not work very well I talked to my pc doc and she gave me
potassium pills this has helped alot. I know another pill but I was having
to get up and walk and stretch my feet and legs several times a night. My
legs got so tight my toes curled to the sealing. RYN JULY 16 94 pounds
gone. Best wishes Tammi
— Tammi Sandoval
November 17, 2008
My husband ended up with bad leg cramps. His surgeon put him on magnesium
citrate. It helped him right away and if he forgets for a few days they
come right back....
— lori042499
November 18, 2008
It could be a lack of calcium or potassium or dehydration. I sometimes get
lower leg cramps and if I eat a banana, I'm ok. Please don't supplement
with potassium until you talk to your doctor. Too much potassium can be
bad for your heart!
— GlitterGal
November 18, 2008
it can often be a sign of either low potassium (eat bananas) or dehydration
(more water!).
— suezahn4me
November 18, 2008
Do you use Advair for asthma? That was the problem I had. They changed my
medication and it stopped. So it could be meds you are taking, also call
you Primary Care Doctor about the problem. Lisa
— ldillabough
November 18, 2008
Maybe you need potassium. I had some similar problems and taking potassium
did help.
— bariatricdivalatina
November 18, 2008
I don't know if you can have it but I have heard that if you drink pickle
juice it helps the cramping in your legs. I guess it's from the salt, but
if you get desperate enough, I know that cramps are not fun. Hope this
helps!
— slcompton
November 18, 2008
Tonic water is great and the ideas to let the carbonation dissipate is
excellent. I get cramps just about every night when I don't take tonic
water, except on weekends. I teach 6th grade so I'm on my feet all day and
I a few weeks away from surgery. Maybe the cramps will get better fter I
lose some serious weight.
— merryterry
November 18, 2008
hi im 6 1/2 yrs post op and i get horrible horrible cramps constantly. if i
eat a bananna it eases up alittle.
— deb44m
November 18, 2008
Hi Ed! I too experienced this and my surgeon told me to drink some V8. he
said it is the fastest way to deliver the electrolytes/potassium to your
body. If you look at the lable, you'll see that it is REALLY high in that,
compared to regular tomato juice. Give it a shot.....I promise it will
work! -Darlene
— dadebrito
November 18, 2008
Hi, I haven't had my surgery yet, but when I get leg cramps it's usually
because I'm dehydrated. Try drinking some extra water if you can, also a
banana may help. Sometimes cramps can be from a lack of potassium as well.
Hope the surgeon gets back to you quickly!
— jeannefitz
November 19, 2008
Great answers!
— disappear
November 19, 2008
Are you taking a calcium and vitamin A supplement? My parents use to get
these cramps when they did not take their calcium.
— cydthekid50
November 19, 2008
Magnesium is the culprit for me! I get severe leg cramps at night mostly
from mag deficiencies...I am diagnosed as chronically mag deficient...For
immediate relief from paralysing thigh cramps I take a TwinLabs Calcium
citrate with 500 mg of magnesium and it works within a few minutes with no
more occuring cramps for the evening. I also take a magnesium citrate
capsule as a supp....If you are having other symptoms such as feeling foggy
headed, ADD or ADHD, heart palpitations, anxiety attacks, breathing trouble
such as taking deep sighs, etc, these are also symptoms of mag defs! I get
all of these and they are awful! All it takes is a supplement daily! Get
labs anyway...but try about 500mg of elemental magnesium. It's harmless
although it can cause some loose stools which can be a good things for some
people! (ie. Milk of MAGNESIA) Mag can be toxic in really high doses after
a long time...but it is soooooo rare it's nothing you should worry
about....and it aids well in calcium absorption! So it won't hurt to try it
until you do go for labs! POh...and drink water! As magnesium is an
electrolye and does well if you are hydrating too! Good luck!
— .Anita R.
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