BAD leg cramps at night.

Anyone experience this post-op? Never had it pre-op.
Every now and then I get bad leg cramps while sleeping and have to jump out of bed and walk it off. It's the muscle on the front of my shin and my foot locks up...really painful.
I've read it could be dehydration, potassium or calcium deficiencies but i doubt it.
I take all my supplements religiously, drink 100+ oz of fluids per day and eat 2 bananas per day for potassium and 3-4 glasses of milk per day along with my calcium supplements.
My bloodtests have been perfect, last one was just 2 weeks ago.

Try magnesium citrate pills (not the green liquid used as a bowel prep, but the pills). It is suppose to help.

Scott

I've found that post-op they can occur as a kind of dump, especially if I do a lot of exercise and then eat something high carb. The only thing I've found that helps is stretching before bed (or severely cutting back on carbs, of course). Could be dehydration related, but as I recall this is not high on the list of possible causes. 

But then a late stage dump is just things moving too fast through the small bowel, so it could be moving your electrolytes too quickly through the intestines and causing cramps 1-2 hours after you eat.

Hope this Helps,

Dave

I take two potassiums a day plus a banana or two a day as well.  Magnesium pill supplements I also take ater a hard leg day or long run for cramp prevention and recovery.  A recent discovery; I couldn't sleep one night so I drink a cup of OJ and ate 2 packs of pop-tarts to knock myself out. (NOTE:  I had done 1 pack before and it was very effective; dump to fall alseep).  Being an American with the more is better mentality, 2 packs sounded like a prescription for passing-out.  I slept but about 3 hrs later I woke up with horrible lower (shin area and upper foot) leg pain and cramps. I gotoup and walked it off but suffered for, about an hour,....dumping time,...go figure. 

Soooo, if the supplement and water aren't the problem,...maybe look to diet and intake those last few hours before bed.  

I have also benefited from compression knee length dress socks during the day, especially if I am on my feet alot.  But don't sleep in them as they will reduce the circulation and that causes pain too.

Hope that helps, and if it doesn't,..I hope it was at least entertaining.

Joe 

Thanks! I doubt its my diet though, I eat extremely healthy and wouldnt even think of touching sugar. I'll try the compression socks if i cant figure this out.

I guess I'm not the only one that dumps on purpose to help fall asleep.  LOL

Fruits and vegetables high in potassium: oranges, tomatoes, raisins, spinach, and bananas.  I keep that list handy on my wall in front of the computer to remind people.  I'm wondering if adding a little salt to your diet might help...sodium-potassium exchange...from my college days.

Here's a list of foods high in potassium. I know bananas get a lot of credit, but actually a potato (if you eat the skin) has about twice the amount of potassium in it. Believe it or not organic black strap molases has a lot of potassium, but is the nasty thing you will ever try to get down your throat!!!! OMG I gagged it down for 2 days and gave up.


http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/food/potassium-foods.htm

Adam,

I sympothize with you. I too used to get very painful cramps, but not in the calves like a typical leg cramp, but in the front of the shin and the ankle where it meets the  top of the foot. I thought these were very unusual spots for cramps. Prior to these I never had cramps in these locations, only in the calves.
I spoke with several Doctors but to no avail. They either felt bad or gave the typical advice about a lack of potassium or a lack of water. But no matter what I tried, I would get them occasionally to the point that they would bring me to tears. Then like magic they stopped. I haven't gotten them in quite a while?? I guess I'll never know what caused them, but I'll never forget them.
PS I also have Diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both feet, which might have something to do with it?
Sorry I couldn't help more, but I do feel bad for you, they can be extremely painful. Good luck,

Dan

Thanks man thats exactly the same location! Hopefully mine just stops too...haha