Muscle cramps?

Background - RNY 4/04.  No problems until 2 years post op and developed really low blood sugar, nesidioblastosis.  Partial pancreatectomy last year.  Still have some low blood sugar issues but not as severe.

I've had really severe leg and foot cramps, weird little bug zapper sensations with muscle contractions, fatigue, leg weakness and right leg is now smaller.  Feeling of tightness in right leg especially as I tire.  And some tremor in arms and legs.

I've had every lab test known to man.  I do have iron deficiency anemia and get infusions every 8-10 weeks but at least my hemoglobin is now normal.  Had an MRI of head - normal altho those who know me may dispute that!  I did test positive for West Nile antibodies, meaning I've had West Nile sometime in the past.  I also have an elevated Vit E level, which is strange since it is fat soluble and after a partial pancreatectomy, you are not supposed to absorb fat soluble vitamins as well. 

None of this adds up.  Symptoms of Vit E toxicity and/or West Nile don't corrolate to the symptoms I'm having.  The neurologist says I'm fine.  But I'm not!  Anyone have similar experiences? 

I'm really frustrated by all this and because of that frustration, I'm stuffing my face!  I have to stop and get back on track.

Any input?  Please?

LynW

Lynne, when where your last labs?  There could be deficiencies that are causing your problems; calcium, magnesium, Vitamin D, B-1, 5, and 6, dehyration, periphel neuropathy, Restless Leg Syndrome

Had labs last week and the month before that and the month before that.  Every vitamin has been tested as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium etc.  All normal.  GRRR.  It's not RLS because I don't have the need to move my legs.  They just cramp up.

Lyn, just trying to see if you can piece the "why" together.  Have you had Vitamin D 25 hydroxy, Serum intake PTH, Selenium and all the B-vits drawn with your labs too?

Yup, all those labs have been done and are normal.  I'm a puzzle.

hows your potassium level, lack of potassium can cause leg and foot cramps??

just a thought.

my mom drinks a small glass of quinine /tonic water every day to combat leg cramps.

or the old eat a banana works too.

good luck, i hope you figure this out, it doesnt sound like life is fun for you right now.

hugzzzzzzzzzz, jacki

I'd rather have cramps than eat a banana!  I HATE bananas!  That said, my potassium is always fine.  I tried the tonic water route and didn't help a bit.

 Lyn, I am 5 years post op and have not been diagnosed with low blood sugar, but believe I have it. My cravings for eating carbs have gotten me out of control and it's only been within the last year and 1/2 that this started for me. I've almost passed out a couple of times. I've gained 25 lbs of my 125 lbs lost back this year. I, like you, have been diagnosed with anemia. I also have a B12 deficiency which I take a pill once a day for that. My doc only put me on 7 months of iron supplements for the anemia. 

I sooooooo have the SAME SEVERE LEG cramps and tingling (bug zapper sensations) in my feet and lower legs. I don't know what this is either and I'm completely frustrated about it. I've read that it is neuropathy, a result of this surgery and the vitamin deficiencies. I freak out every time I get a severe leg cramp. No one understands that they are not the same as charley horses--they really can not be worked out right away and they leave me dizzy at times. I eat bananas (2) every day, so I know it is not a lack of potassium unless my body is no longer absorbing the potassium. I THINK IT COULD BE CALCIUM. I do not take calcium and my doc just ran labs on me on Monday. I will find out in next few days/week what's going on now....if it's not one thing it's another!

I honestly don't think that the labs can pin point what is causing the leg cramps and tingling. I'm so tired of not being able to have someone just tell me what in the world is causing these. YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS! My tingling gets worse as the day progresses, but I do get the tingling during the day, too. 

I know mine isn't from lack of calcium.  They keep checking it but everything is always normal.  It's just very weird to see your leg muscle squirming without you doing anything.  And it is worse in the evenings altho, I can feel it all day.  And the cramps are not the typical Charlie Horse type.  I usually get a couple going at the same time in opposite directions so it's impossible to stretch one without making the other one worse. 

My PCP was worried about ALS.  That freaked me out.  But the nerve and muscle conduction tests were normal.  Thank goodness.  I told the neurologist that I was "good" with anything but ALS.  I just need an answer.  I'm glad I have company because I was beginning to doubt my sanity!  Not that I'm glad someone else is suffering, but I guess misery loves company???

We'll have to stay in touch.  Thanks for your response.

Lyn

 I know, I hate to see others suffer the same, but it is reassuring to know that I'm not alone and that I am not crazy. I describe the leg cramps to people and they always reply with "oh, yeah, charley horses." And I'm like, "No, they are worse than that." I can't even articulate what's going on with me. I know that some times they shoot up toward my thigh/hip/groin area and the pain is so harsh and it's like the muscle cramp is burning. I'm assuming these are muscle cramps, but heck, I don't know and neither do the professionals. I'm so utterly frustrated about this. My mother, who is not overweight nor had WLS, said she started to get these types of leg cramps when she was in her mid 40s (which is how old I am now) and that they eventually went away. Could they be hormone-related? Of course, our hormones are related to our metabolisms which is affected by WLS and diet!

By the way, how do you manage the low blood sugar? I think you mentioned you had surgery. Did that correct it?