Muscle Cramps 9 years out???

Hi everyone, I had my surgery in 2004 and my labs have consistently come back very low in protein and albumin. For the past two years I have been suffering from the most extreme muscle cramps, at first in my calves and thighs, but now can also include my extremities (feet, hands) and arms. These episodes are extreme and can last up to 3 hours - not your typical charlie horse. The only thing that relieves the cramping is chugging on pickle juice. I am well hydrated (64 oz. of water a day) and take potassium and magnesium regularly, as well as all the other vitamins recommended for post-surgery. The cramping episodes come several hours after exercising, even very moderate, short walks. Is anyone else going through this? My doctor can't figure our what's going on. Thanks, would really appreciate hearing your insight. Maureen

Its got to be nutritional deficiencies! I was having massive foot cramps, it was suggested to increase calcium, within 2 days it went away. Who knew?

Chugging pickle juice?  However did you think of that?

Being that it's working, perhaps sodium is low?  It's time to see someone who can really help you dig into your nutritional needs.

Try magnesium. Made a world of difference for me and lots of water

What's your Vitamin D level? Low D can cause muscle pain.

i had this. doc put me on calcium mg tabs that fiz. then put a banana in protien shake. i no carbs. but, once got i levels straight. they stopped. but, they have gone back out of wack. will start to have them again. but, i know what to do.

Thanks for your reply. I mix a protein shake every a.m. with a half banana and take potassium and calcium every day, as well as magnesium. My protein levels are shockingly low, have been for the past 5 years, even though I am ingesting over 80 g. of protein a day. I suspect this has caused some sort of metabolic malfunction in the way my muscles process what they need. My doctor can't figure it out - and I can't keep living like this, the pain is unbelievable. Really don't know what to do.

Is this your primary care doc or a bariatric specialist. You know it may have nothing to do with your RNY it could be something entirely seperate from that. At any rate seeing a bariatric nutritionist would be a good start. Then perhaps a neurologist, it could be nerves misfiring. It could be hundreds of things, but first you have to get a doc that will at least attempt to help you and if nothing else maybe a pain specialist could figure it out or at least help you with the pain. Living with pain is just draining, I've been there so I know how frustrating it can be.