Question:
Anyone have leg cramps bad?

I am 2 weeks post op and I am having these leg cramps when I walk and all...I thought it was patassium *spelling?* but i got some pills and i am still having the cramps. ANyone else have leg cramps too?    — Nicole S. (posted on January 3, 2000)

January 3, 2000
Nicole -- You should probably call your doctor's office just to check, I'm pre op, often get leg cramps in my calf after I've been idle for awhile, or change shoe heights, etc. the best thing for me is regular "runners stretches" to warm up the muscles. Please e-mail me if you don't know what these are and I'll describe. Toni
   — Toni B.

January 3, 2000
Have your doctor check your blood, not only will low Potassium cause muscle cramps, but if your Calcium level is low that also causes tetany or muscle cramps.
   — PNethery

January 3, 2000
I am just about 3 months post op... and I somtimes get the feeling as if I am about to get leg cramps or I do get them... I am sure you know what I mean? I think my main problem is that I am not getting enough water in as well... this liquid thing is my worse problem still... and as soon as I get up and drink some water the cramps sub-side... eithe it's all in my mind or possibly mine are also brought on by lack of water... I usually get the cramps in the very early morning... when I have slept an entire night w/o water. Potasium is also a big thing that can cause cramps... I also know of people that lack salts as well that can get cramps... good luck! just thought I would add my 2 cents worth in for whatever it's worth :-)
   — Jamie T.

January 3, 2000
Call your doctor and explain exactly what type of cramps these are. If they're like a charlie horse, it could just be low on potassium, and what you get over the counter/vs/what you get prescription is not the same. Prescription potassium did ease my leg cramps. HOWEVER, after my revision I went a week with what I thought was muscle strain type cramps in my feet and legs and finally went to my orthopedist for him to check it out. He instantly sent me to the hospital for a scan because he suspected blood clots due to my recent revision! He was right!! and I was on total bedrest and hospitalized on blood thinners for a week! Blood clots can be VERY dangerous left untreated. Please check with your doc to be safe and sure!!!
   — Sherrie G.

January 3, 2000
According to my doctor, it is not just a lack of Potasium(sp). It could also be a lack of Calcium or Iron, or even a lack of all of the above. I too suffer from leg cramps on a regular basis, but they stop when I take all of the above.
   — Becki S.

January 4, 2000
Well I know that lower calf pains are a result of lack of calcium.....I had them when I was pregnant...it is like they wake you up in the middle of the night.....like a muscle cramp right?
   — whisperskiss

January 4, 2000
I KNOW THAT THIS SOUNDS CRAZY...BUT DO YOU DRINK TEA? I WAS GETTING REALLY BAD CRAMPS IN MY LEGS...YET ALL MY TEST WERE COMING BACK IN THE GOOD RANGE LEVEL.EVEN MY DOCTOR WAS STUMPED. THEN I WENT OUT OF TOWN AND AFTER A FEW DAYS MY LEGS QUIT HURTING.CAME BACK HOME AND AFTER A FEW DAYS THEY BEGAN TO HURT REALLY BAD AGIAN.A FEW WEEKS LATER I WENT OUT OF TOWN AGIAN...AND YOU GUESSED IT THEY QUIT HURTING.AFTER RETURNING HOME I BEGAN TO PONDER ON THIS AND DISCOVERED THE PPOBLEM...IT WAS TEA...I GUESS MAYBE THE ACIDS OR SOMETHING.(ALTHOUGH I HAVE ALWAYS DRANK TEA EVEN BEFORE MY SURGERY) TO BE SURE I TRIED DRINKING TEA AND AFTER A COUPLE DAYS I BEGAN TO HURT AGIAN! I HAVE BEEN OFF TEA COMPLETELY NOW FOR OVER 7 WEEKS AND HAVE NOT HAD MY LEGS HURT SINCE.
   — [Anonymous]

January 4, 2000
cramps. I have cramps as well and after a year post op I do occasionally even now. make sure you are getting your calcium and potassium. these are the two that cause cramps the most.
   — Cathy D.

February 20, 2000
I a, also having severe leg cramps 5 weeks post op at night. I thought it was potassium too. Actually what has helped is portein right before bed and icy hot or ben gay. I am going to talk to the doc about this on Thursday and will let you know what I find out. They have been so bad I can't sleep.
   — Therese W.

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