Question:
I am 3 mos post op and at night my legs/calves have a burning sensation

that is waking me up 3 or 4 times during the night. When I turn over, the burning increases. I am trying to eat more bananas for the potassium but can't eat over 1 a day. I had my blood work done and it turned out ok. What is causing this burning? It is driving me nuts! I am not experiencing charlie horses/leg cramps but just this darn burning. During the day, my legs don't hurt. Has anyone else experienced this?    — Marilyn C. (posted on January 30, 2002)

January 30, 2002
I had the exact same pain and my doctor told me to drink orange juice for the potassium. I drink 12 oz a day (no more than that because of the calories) and haven't had any burning feeling since.
   — vbenedict0208

January 30, 2002
You have a potassium deficiency. Have your blood tested but in the meantime, you can get potassium pills from the drugstore...but you should check with your doc to get the correct dosage. Good luck and God Bless!
   — Kimberly L.

January 30, 2002
I agree with above. It sure sounds like a potassium low. There are several products you can take also. Check with your Doc.
   — Joelle B.

January 30, 2002
This sounds a lot like what I have. Its called restless leg syndrome. There is a lot of info on the web about this. It may help you figure out if this is what is going on with you. It can be pretty miserable. I thought I was cured after I had surgery, now 3 months out and I am having trouble again. I am going to try the potassium thing too! Good luck.
   — Cheri M.

January 30, 2002
I found some more info on RLS at www.rls.org Besides potassium, low iron could also be the culprit.
   — Cheri M.

February 1, 2002
It's me....Marilyn. I went today and had my blood checked for potassium levels and the levels were so low they weren't even on the reference chart! Doctor immediately prescribed liquid potassium which tastes yucky! Oh well, I will take it. He said that low or high potassium levels can effect the rhythum of your heart. I sure don't want that to happen. I called my dietician and she wasn't very nice. She called me back and left a message on my machine advising that I eat tomatoes (I have been craving cherry tomatoes for two wks), of course, bananas, orange juice, grains, raisins, potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables, prune juice. Then she added "it is always something with you....first your iron and now your potassium." :( Made me feel kind of bad! I think because I follow Michelle Curran's advice and WATCH my levels, I am more of a challeng to my dietician. I advise all of you to watch that blood work closely. Sometimes the doctor just sees everything is normal and doesn't notice that the levels are dropping from previous months. I try to be proactive in my care and that makes me a nuisance, so be it. God bless all of us postops and preops. I am grateful for this site because by helping each other we learn way more than our dieticians and/or even our doctors on WLS. Thanks to you all!
   — Marilyn C.

July 25, 2003
I have the same burning in my upper body starting at about 4:30am and it doesn't go away sometimes until noon. If you figure anything out please e-mail me and I will do the same for you! Sheila Miller [email protected]
   — Sheila M.