Muscle Cramps

I'm 4 years out and have been in very good health the entire time.  However, a few months ago I started getting leg cramps at night.  They began to happen about once per week in the middle of the night and have now increased to several days per week, beginning in the early evening and continuing on and off throughout the night.  They started in the ankle/foot area, but as their frequency increased, they have moved up the leg to include calf muscles, and last night the cramps included inner thigh muscles up to the groin area. They happen in both legs, usually one or the other, but sometimes both at the same time.  Last night's cramps, which began about 7:30 PM, occurred 4 separate times over the course of a total of 5 hours, affected both legs at once, and one of those times actually lasted more than an hour.  I've never felt pain like that before -- it was so bad I almost asked my DH to take me to the hospital.   When they first started happening a few months ago, I was able to get out of bed and walk them off, but now they actually start while I'm wide awake, standing or walking or sitting, and walking them off no longer works.  I had my annual blood work done in May, was low on iron and vitamin D and started supplements.  Everything else was fine.  Could this cramping be due to a vitamin or other deficiency related to my WLS?  This has escalated to a point that I dread the end of the day but I don't know if this is something I need to call my PCP about if there's some vitamin or supplement I can take that will fix this.  (I'd like to avoid the hassle of taking off work and having him run a bunch of tests if all I really need to do is take vitamin X or supplement Y.) I wouldn't wish this on anyone but if any of you have been through something similar, please chime in. Thanks,

Hi Chris. I'm a nurse. Good rule of thumb - when pain is bad enough that you think you want to go to a hospital it requires medical intervention. Lab work and/or other diagnostic testing should give you an answer and hopefully allow for resolution of the pain. Second rule of thumb - any symptoms that last more then two weeks are not going away by themselves. I hope you feel better. Wilma

My grandmother's hair dresser was having leg cramp problems.  Hers ended up being from chronic dehydration.  Once they got her back fully hydrated and she continued to drink enough to stay that way I believe her problem was resolved.  SHe is probably about 4 or 5 years out from surgery.   Melissa

Chris I feel your pain!! I am 6 years out and experience the same thing.   Mine is virtually every night, but always the same leg.  I have had blood work done and tried medication, but I have not found relief, did I mention I have had this going on for over a year.  I also thought mine might be dehydration, but I make sure I get in plenty of fluids and still have problems.  I will be eager to here suggestions. Terri

I was having the leg cramps quite regularly, but my PCP put me on liquid potassium, 1 teaspoon a day (I put it in my orange Crystal Light cause its bitter), and they went away. At the same time, I upped my water/liquid consumption as well. I heard someone say once to eat a banana a day for potassium, but my doc said I'd have to eat a whole ton of bananas every day to get the appropriate amount. Hope that helps

So I'm not the only one!  I have the same problem, though not as often as you do.  I also feel your pain.  What do you do to relieve it in the middle of the night?  I have one of those long, skinny bean bag things and heat it in the microwave (though getting into the kitchen can be painful.)  Then I sleep with it! I have thought it was relative to dehydration but haven't solved the problem yet either. Sheryl

Some things that can potentially help with leg cramps is extra magnesium, making sure you are getting enough calcium, plenty of water, and sometimes potassium (but this last one should be done only under doctor supervision).  I knew I was doing all of the stuff I had mentioned, but I recently started having cramps again after being outside on a hot weekend during a dog show.  I called my PCP and he suggested that I take a product called Emergen-C.  I picked it up OTC at the drugstore (Sam's Club carries it in bulk) and do 2-3 doses a day.  It is a powder that mixes with a bit of water.  My cramps  have gone away.  It helps replenish mild dehydration issues, plus other important vitamins. 

Chris,  I had the same problem, but pre-surgery.  The only thing that worked for me was potassium.  I took it regularly, but also when I was cramping.  The potassium was the only thing that would stop the cramping.  I'm so thankful I don't still have them, I remember very well how terribly painful they were.  I suggest you follow Shiela's suggestion and get your doc to give you liquid potassium.  Keep it handy so that you can also take it when your cramping. I hope it works! Michele

Hi Chris, I, too, have the same issue, but mine stop at the knee.  They get so bad that my toes curl over eachother, and my foot cramps in the upward position and I have to jump out ob bed to make it stop and level out. Both my surgeon and my pcp state that it could be potassium and magnesium deficiencies.  I have to take Quinine, which is used for muscle cramps in Malaria patients.  It is slowly working since she increased the strength.  I eat alot of bananas, I am not dehydrated by any means, and I still get them, and have for almost 2 yrs now.  I am almost 2 1/2 yrs post op. I never had this issue before when I was big.  All I can suggest is labs.  Maybe your nut can figure out what is going on, or your pcp can.  I ask a ton of questions about what I can do to supplement, but all I hear is potassium and magnesium.  So I am doing what I can.  The cramps have lessened, and now I just have what I call "light shocks" and jitters in my legs. I just move my legs when I feel them coming on.  Best of luck, and if they tell you anything different, please post and let us know.  I will take any suggestions at this point! Laura

I also am 4 yrs post-op, but experienced muscle cramps like you describe before surgery as well. I know I have to stay well hydrated and take 400 mgm of Magnesium daily.  Doing this pretty much keeps me cramp free.  Magnesium levels can be checked with lab work.  My level is low if I skip the pills--it seems to be a family thing(2 sisters also test low and have to take the pills).  Even though some times potassium can get low--that definitely needs lab work to verify it and an MD to order the med.  It is sold OTC in small doses but it is dangerous if it is too high so I would not use potassium without a prescription and lab work prior. Will your PCP order magnesium and Potassium lab tests by phone--that seems logical to ask for if you have recently been to the MD.  Or perhaps both tests have already been done but magnesium level check is not nearly so routine as is potassium.  I know this is not new info here, but did want you to know I think there is a solution.  I rarely have leg cramps any longer and if I do I review my day and recognize low water intake is the culprit.  Which brings up one final point, I think that drinking diet soda also can contribute.  I limit myself to 12 oz a day and pretty much avoid caffeine as that can lead to dehydration.  Well GOOD LUCK with feeling better real soon.  The pain is truly unbearable at its worst(I've wondered if I could reach for the phone to call the ambulance one night).  I think you have the picture--I know exactly what you are going through.