Electrolyte help needed

I have always been very sensitive to dehydration since my DS.  Once I started using fake salt (potassium) I did a lot better.  I have always gotten a ton of fluids in as well.

But the last few days it has finally turned to summer here in the deep south and my  usual activities are causing me to sweat a lot and I am suffering from severe muscle spasms and pain. 

They start in the evening even before I go to bed.  I am having not just the good old foot cramps (I have had to wear tennis shoes to bed before to get any sleep at all) but muscle twitches and cramps all over my body.  Even my hands cramped last night and I woke up this morning sore all over.

Tonight has already started off with crampy feet.  I made a cake shake and put a spoon of fake salt in it but it ruined it and I couldn't eat it.  I know sweet potatoes are a good source of potassium but I just don't think I am going to be able to manage this with food and fake salt.

My wonderful medical student had to leave to go do an internship after her graduation so I have been handed off to a NP.  I'll see her as soon as they can get me in but the front desk folks already warned me that they won't sign off on my labs any longer.  "Get your specialist to do it."  yeah... right...I'll get right on that.

Any ideas for me?  I take Mag Citrate, OTC potassium and Calcium all day long but maybe I need to double up the Mag Citrate ?

~Becky

Are all your minerals in balance? I use a product called Selectrolytes by Morin Labs- it contains potassium, magnesium sodium and calcium . Its a liquid that you add to water and is very easy to get down and balances all the electrolites. I have a deficiency of mag so take a little extra magnesium on top of it as I have a tendency to get cramps also. When I follow my plan I am good. Also taking a hot bath with epsom salts helps with muscle cramps as magnesium is a muscle relaxant. Good luck. I know how painful it can be when those cramps come on.

Sharon

I like Sharon's ideas and the idea of increasing your mag cit and potassium. I hope the NP can help by running the right tests. It might be too soon to spring the whole laundry list of labs on her. Keep us posted.

--gina

I know it's not traditional but I have found the best solution to these symptoms is pickle juice!  Yes, pickle juice, not the pickles!  If you can not tolerate the taste, take them in a shot glass.  Two shots work wonders for the cramps and pain.  It's one of the fastest absorbing source of electrolytes.  Professional athletes use pickle juice to quickly cure dehydration cramps and pain.

Have you thought about using some of the sugar-free electrolyte replacement drinks instead of plain water?  A few years ago, I was training for a 1/2 marathon.  My usual issues with muscle cramping and magnesium magnified.  When I switched to drinks like Powerade Zero when I was walking/running, it went away.  This is in addition to my vitamin regimen.  Hydration, but not depleting electrolytes is essential.  Drinking plain water helps wash the minerals out of the body.

I am also experimenting with a magnesium oil now, in addition to my magnesium supplements.  I have heard good things about this.  Since it is absorbed through the skin, one can spray it directly onto the legs and feet.  Jury is still out, but I will try most things!

Hope this helps.

Sharon

Silly question - have you checked your sodium levels?  Maybe you need real salt?

Excellent question.  I use fake salt for the potassium, and never thought about needing real salt...  I'm also having cramps in my feet.  Guess I will start adding that back and see if it helps.

Hi Becky, I am very prone to leg cramps, especially at night. Some have been so bad that they sprained my muscles. I looked up all the highest potassium foods and made certain to consume them. I got OTC tablets and added them to my daily routine and still had some cramps, though less severe. My labs showed deficiency even after all my efforts so I now take prescription tabs once a day.

K-Tab 10 Meq (potassium chloride)

Hope you can get a prescription. I can feel crampy even if I miss a day or two so I am a malaborber of potassium, I guess.

Good luck

corrected for spelling

I remember reading that good ol' chicken soup is a great electrolyte replacer.  Make a pot... throw in a potato or two for extra potassium... a wide variety of veggies (maybe a bag of frozen mixed veggies)...a can of crushed tomatoes (also a good source of potassium)...and use some real kosher or sea salt...and give it a try. :)

If you are using only potassium instead of sodium, the balance could be off as well.  I agree with adding in some real salt as well. Even 1/2 -1 tsp should make a difference.

As for the whole not signing off on your labs, will your surgeon fax/email you labs? Even though I've lived in many different states, I've never had an issue with my NY-based surgeon's labs being approved.

The only thing I could do is send my surgeon my lab request and ask him to sign it.  To get all the labs anyway.  I'm going to start with the NP next week and see if she will order some if she refuses to sign my lab slip that has all of them  I'm bruising like crazy also so there is something going on.  It is time for my biannual labs anyway.

I am going to add some real salt, try Gatorade, and get labs.  Then go from there. 

Everyone who has replied to my post I send thanks!!!  I just don't have time for individual replies.

~Becky