Did any of you all have terrible leg cramps after surgery?

Alrighty, I am a month out and now being bothered with leg cramps (mostly).  Every night for nearly a week I have had cramps in either my hamstrings, calves quads etc.  They are killers.  They cramp while I sleep and if I start to walking too much....they start to cramp.  I talked to the nut and she gave me a list of high potassium foods with sodium iodine in them.  Yummy   She also told me to call the PCP for advice and possible muscle relaxers.  Have done that and now he wants me for blood work next week.  Just didn't know if you all have experienced this and if so, HOW did you get past the cramping stage?   HELP....

Hi. Have you had any labs done recently? I know this sounds weird but I sometimes would get cramps when I ate high potassium foods. Not anymore though.  But it does sound like it could have something to do with your potassium levels or something that you may be lacking in your vitamins/diet. Are you making sure you are taking all of your vitamins everyday.  I never had cramps like that after surgery so I hope they figure out what is causing it so it stops. If they are anything like what I call a charley horse - Those things HURT!

Hey Sweet Pea!

I am so sorry to hear that you are having problems with leg cramping.  I'm not much help because I never had that.  I feel sure that you are taking all of your vitamins but sometimes there is just a little tweaking that needs to take place to meet individual differences.  You did absolutely the right thing!  Please let us know what your PCP finds out.  You are in my thoughts.

By the way, are you going to try to come to the lunch bunch this Saturday?  It is at TGI Fridays at Rivergate.  I hope to see you there.

Freddie

Well, I am two weeks post op and am awakened several times a night with leg cramps too.  Have always had a bit of a problem with that, but it is quite a bit worse lately it seems.  Mine are normally in my calves and in my feet.  Let me know what you find out.  I go back to the doc tomorrow and will ask.  I'm also having a very rapid heartbeat and don't know what is causing that.  Other than that I feel pretty good. 

I am doing exactly what the doctor has said to do.  (I am sort of a "by the books" type of gal.)  I have even started wearing the compression stockings at night again and during the day.  Along with moist heat in the mornings.  I just wi**** weren't my hamstrings.   I have to lie down once a day at work for 45 minutes to relax the leg muscles.  (This isn't easily accomplished when you teach 7th and 8th graders.)  I am taking Iron and Multi in the morning and multi in the evening and 1200mg of calcium thru the day in 3 different tablets.  Hopefully the labs next week will be helpful.  Thanks for listening to me.  Please keep me in your thoughts as I am sort of a BIG BABY  when it comes to constant pain.  On a happier note.     I hope to be at Rivergate on Saturday.  What time?  Well, the kids are headed back from either Art of Spanish so, I'd better get ready for them.

Yeah... sounds like a potassium situation to me or you may be starting to get dehydrated? Have you been getting plenty of fluids?? :-) I never had a problem with cramps though! Take care of yourself :-)