7 weeks post op, lots of restless leg issues, ideas?
I feel your pain! For 3 years I had terrible leg and foot cramps at night to the point I dreaded going to bed. I tried everything from restricting unnecessary walking, increasing potassium, being hyper alert about dehydration, etc. I was up 2-3 times a night using hot soaks or standing tearfully in a hot shower....my labs were perfect and my primary MD just shrugged. By accident I was checking the 3 medications I take and discovered muscle cramping is a side effect when you're taking Prilosec, Nexium or PPI's....that interfere with magnesium absorption. I've taken Prilosec for 3 years. bingo. I now take 400 magnesium oxide and the cramps are essentially GONE. It's been like a miracle. If I feel cramping returning I take 800 for a few days. I hope you find an answer because it can be night time misery... for sure.
Thanks guys! I have my yearly physical coming up with my primary care doctor next week so I will mention it to her then. My next lab draw isn't for another month but I will ask my PCP to check on my iron levels anyway (I do have a history of anemia, especially when I was pregnant with my daughter). In the meantime I will up my fluids, I'm usually at least 80+ oz. a day anyway but it can't hurt. Thanks for all of the advice and information!
HW: 306 Day of Surgery: 299 Current Weight: 172
Pulled up some lab results that I had post op, just for some info (excuse the tables they were messed up when i copy/pasted):
On 6/22:
| MAGNESIUM | 1.5 - 2.1 mEq/L | 1.7 |
| SODIUM | 136 - 144 mmol/L | 139 |
| POTASSIUM | 3.2 - 5.2 mmol/L | 4.5 |
| CHLORIDE | 101 - 111 mmol/L | 104 |
| CARBON DIOXIDE | 22 - 32 mmol/L | 24 |
| UREA NITROGEN | 8 - 20 mg/dL | 12 |
| CREATININE | 0.44 - 1.03 mg/dL | 0.88 |
| GLUCOSE | 74 - 118 mg/dL | 91 |
| ANION GAP | 5.0 - 17.0 | 11.0 |
| CALCIUM | 8.9 - 10.3 mg/dL | 9.3 |
| BUN/CREATININE RATIO | 14 |
On 5/15/2013:
| IRON | 40-175 mcg/dL | 82 |
| TIBC | 250-450 mcg/dL | 394 |
| TRANSFERRIN SATURATION | 15-50 % | 21 |
| FERRITIN | 10-154 ng/mL | 28 |
