Muscle Cramps

I seem to be very susceptible to muscle cramps since surgery. Sometimes they are very, very painful. I will have cramps or spasms in the calves, thighes, and even down the front of the calves and across the top of my foot. I had them three nights ago and my muscles were sore for two days. Anyone else have this problem??

I get them. I used to get them as a side effect of PMS when younger now I never know when. It helps if I get all my calcium in and stay fully hydrated (oh and I try to take a potassium pill when are happening...I don't want to take too many bananas (high carb, high caloies) and cannot drink oj without dumping. I find a moist heat heating pad relaxes the affected muscles during a cramp. Rochelle

Hi Judy, I, too, get them at night. Around 4 AM....it sure is a rude awakening....I get them mostly in my right foot across the top and around the ankle. It took me awhile to figure out how to get rid of one when it's happening but at 4 AM who can think straight? especially when something so painful is going on. I've got to say tho, that a foot cramp is alot more tolerable than getting a cramp in the inside of the leg from the knee to groin. talk about agony...it's worse than childbirth cramps, seriously.... I make sure I take my CalMag right before I go to bed and also stay hydrated. I also wear fuzzy loose socks to bed thinking maybe my foot is getting cold. It seems to help. I've always had some cramps at night even before surgery so I can't really blame the WLS. Next time I go to my surgeon I am going to ask him about them. Right now I am just trying to battle them with the supplements and fluids. So I really empathize with ya...it's not the most fun thing in the world Andi B in Ohio 315/179

i get them allot as well. mostly in the lower body. Legs and feet. glad to know i am not alone. hec****il this, i had no idea it was common for surgery patients.

I was experiencing bad cramps in my feet and up my calves a couple of months ago that were so bad they had me literally leaping out of bed in the middle of the night to stand and stretch them out. Someone told me to add potassium. I now take a potassium asporotate dietary supplment daily and no longer have the muscle cramps. You might give that a try...it worked for me.

I have been getting leg and foot cramps (as well as toes) for the last 10 years (not related to WLS, but rather to cancer treatment). The solution: My oncologist prescribed "quinine" pills. A MIRACLE! If I take them, no cramps. The one side effect of the quinine for ME (not for everyone) is that it affects my hearing a little for a couple of hours. I do not take them every day like I used to, now only once in a while, but if I start with the toes cramping, I run to the medicine cabinet, and start up again. The oncologist says it has something to do with a chemical imbalance caused by either medication, the lack thereof, or perhaps the estrogen many of us "middle aged" or "seniors" have little of these days. Drinking quinine water is NOT the answer because you would need gallons after gallons after gallons to get the effect that one pill would do. It is a relatively cheap medication and worth every penny. Missy.

I had the problem preop too. I have less trouble if I stay well hydrated and take a warm shower and put on clean dry warm socks before bed. the ones in the thighs hurt as much as kidney stones. mentioning that - if I get several cramps in my thighs I usually follow up with a kidney stone in a few days or so later. That is one reason I am sure for me hydration is the key. plenty of fluids prevent stones and if I'm a little dehydrated I get cramps.

OK -- this may sound crazy but it worked for me. I used to have terrible leg cramps at night. About 2-1/2 years ago I heard about putting a bar of soap in the bed. Although it sounded strange, I did it anyway. I haven't had leg cramps since then. I think the original article said Ivory soap, but I had Jergens at home, so used it -- and am still using the same bar. I just toss it in between my sheets. So besides staying hydrated and taking calcium, try the soap! Deb

I'm interested to hear the theory behind the soap in the bed remedy. Just curious

I've yet to hear a theory -- just that it works -- and it does for me! And I know other people who swear by it, too. Deb