Question:
Has anyone experienced severe leg cramps after surgery?
I am 6 wks post-op from RNY. I went back to my Dr. and he had labs drawn which all came back within normal limits. I am taking a magnesium supplement and potassium supplement over the counter ,which he okayed, along with the rest of my vitamins. But I continue to experience severe cramps in my calf that then runs down around my shin and even into my ankle. It gets so bad that I can hardly walk, which makes the cramping worse. It takes several minutes of massaging and manipulating my leg to different positions to even gain relief. — tammy J. (posted on March 10, 2009)
March 10, 2009
I am nearly 5 yrs post op, and get them nearly everynight while sleeping.
I used Quinine sulfate caps, which got rid of the cramps, within minutes
,but calif took it off the formulary, and now can only get from the net.
Good luck and don't beat your legs up, that ends up more painful. Cindi
-230#
— DollyDoodles
March 10, 2009
Becareful, I have fibromyalgia and whenever I am not getting my fluids in
properly I get severe leg cramps. Water is such a critical part of your
day.
— jenniknowles
March 10, 2009
yes usually when i was not getting in enough liquids.
— Alvernlaw
March 10, 2009
I used to get them, but now I make sure I get plenty of liquids and eat a
banana a day. Good Luck!!
— [Deactivated Member]
March 11, 2009
I would also ask your doctor to send you for a ultrasound and venuous
dopplar of your legs to rule out blood clots and cysts. It sounds like
cramps but years ago when I had what I thought was a leg cramp, it turned
out that it was a blood clot. Because I thought it was just a leg cramp, I
didn't go to the doctor, and the clot broke up, went to my lungs, and
caused a pulmonary embolism which kept me in the hospital for 8 days. I
don't mean to scare you, but it's better safe than sorry in these kinds of
situations. Good luck!
— ads2e
March 11, 2009
I am 4 weeks post op and having occastional cramps in my calfs. For me it
usually means I'm not getting enough water. Probably best to follow up with
your doctor. Good luck!
— jeannefitz
March 11, 2009
I was having the same problems just this week. I am only one week out and
was afraid that it could be blood clots. I went to the doctor and he said
that if I wasn't getting at least 64 oz. of fluid that would cause the
cramps.
— hlopez
March 11, 2009
Do you have asthma? Do you use Advair? This ended up my problem with leg
cramps. When the medication was changed the leg cramps stop. Have your
doctor check any medications you are still taking and make sure none of
them have leg cramps as a side-effect.
— ldillabough
March 11, 2009
I still get charlie horses in my calf muscles. Most of the time it happens
when I don't take enoug liquids in or if I forget my calcium. Hope this
helps.....
— phyllismmay
March 11, 2009
I take Magnesium citrate capsules for the same cramps and worse...I am
chronically low magnesium...I often pop 1-2 chewable Twinlabs brand calcium
citrate (It has 500mg of magnesium) for instant relief...I take them
EVERYWHERE with me! My spasms are crippling and can start in my toes and
work up my calves and inner thighs and the pain is so excruciating I have
had to scream for help from my family to get me some magnesium....
Magnesium deficiencies are rare and docs rarely run tests for it at
all...Up until recently was there even a way to test for magnesium...Blood
tests may come out normal even if you ARE magnesium deficient because they
have not yet found a truly acurate way to test for magnesium since it is
found at the cellular level and not so much in the blood!(From how I
understand it) Just for your info...I don't know what kind of magnesium you
are taking...but I take 800 mg of magnesium citrate capsules
regularly...but in bad spasm I just chew the calcium with mag to get it to
my blood ASAP! It's never failed me...Not ever!
— .Anita R.
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