Question:
I am having severe leg cramps, please read to help me:)
Hi all! Yesterday morning I woke up SCREAMING with severe cramping in my calf. It was horrible,way worse than any charlie horse I have ever had before. I kept getting them every couple of minutes for a couple of hours and I used heating pads and massage during this time The rest of the day my leg was relly sore and my other calve is a little sore. I am thinking it is just really bad muscle cramps so I drank about a gallon of orange juice and took vitamins. Last night I slept with a heating pad on my clave all night long and the cramp never got as bad but my calve is still very sore! Do you guys think it is muscular? I am a very paranoid person by nature haha-=its true:) ) I am kinda worried about blood clots but the pain in my calve is really sharp and seems like my muscles are just being tied in nots and it is a little better. Any response would mean alot! My mom just had major surgery(not WLS) and is in ICU and has been there since thursday. I have been walking around the hospital alot so I wonder if maybe this has contributed to the problem! Thanks so much guys!!!! Love, Jennifer — Jennifer H. (posted on October 8, 2001)
October 8, 2001
Hi. I have had those before too. Boy do they hurt! And your calf will be
sore for days from the sudden and repeated contractions. Usually this is
from dehydration and/or potassium deficiency. Try drinking more fluids and
eating bananas or another food high in potassium. Are you taking a
multivit? If not, you might start. I was getting mild leg cramps but they
stopped after I got better at taking my vitamins :)
— ctyst
October 8, 2001
My dad did the exact same thing, and it was due to a potassium deficiency.
Good luck and eat some bananas :)
— jammie B.
October 8, 2001
Be sure and contact your Dr. If the pain is that severe he needs to know.
Potassium deficiency and/or blood clots can be very serious and your Dr
should be the one to make the decision how best to treat you!
— Pam K.
October 8, 2001
Jennifer: Please get your potassium checked right away and also do a
search on potassium in this database. This could be very serious as low
potassium can lead to heart damage. A bannana will not fix a low
potassium, though it won't hurt. If you're really low you'll need to start
supplementing fast. Most multivitamins don't have potassium in them, and
most potassium pills are time-release and not very effective for post-ops.
There are drinks you can do (that taste awful) and if necessary they can
boost you through IV. Leg cramps are a definite symptom of low potassium.
If that isn't your problem, great, but if it is, you need to get it
addressed immediately. Good luck and please keep us posted.
— kcanges
October 8, 2001
HI!! I had the same problem and my doctor suggested a glass of orange juice
every morning,it has lots of potassium...and problem solved.Good luck.
— Monica J.
October 8, 2001
Actually, you may also have a low magnesium level. Both potassium and
magnesium levels have an effect on cramping in the legs. I had this
problem immediately post-op but started taking a daily vitamin and drinking
1-2 8 oz. glasses of Gatorade per day to ensure my electrolites were
balanced. This hasn't slowed down my weight loss, and it's made it a hell
of a lot more comfortable for me. Problem solved --
— Terissa R.
October 8, 2001
You might ask your doctor for a prescription for quinine (make sure you get
it in capsule form, not tablet--you'll thank me for that advice). I was
getting leg cramps every night until I started on the quinine (325 mg.
caps).
— Ruth H.
October 8, 2001
Thanks you guys for all the advice so far:) I am feeling a little
teeny weeny bit better:) I hope it was just the lasck of vitamins.
Although I am at
the hospital all the time with my mom I am trying to eat better and take my
multi-vitamins and drink
lots of o.j. Plus I have been trying to stretch all day long. I probaly
have been deficient
in vitamins and I have been walking alot more than usual.
Love, Jennifer
— Jennifer H.
March 6, 2002
I have had the same problem with excruciating leg cramps. My PCP said it
was because oxygen was not getting to my lower extremities. She told me to
sit up and take many, many deep breaths and soon the cramps would go away.
She was right. I asked her about quinine but she told me not to take it
because quinine will disturb your heart rhythms.
— Joel M.
March 6, 2002
I used to get those severe cramps when I was pregnant & when I was
YOunger. The best thing to do when it happens is to move your foot up or
the oppisite direction of pointing your toe. This releaves the cramp. Have
someone push on the ball of your foot. This will help also. If you massage
it you will have pain for a couple of days, so don't massage. I use this
technique with my patients in labor. It works great.
— Lee Ann H.
March 6, 2002
I have to disagree with the lady saying not to rub the muscle. I know what
you're going through and these aren't just any ordinary cramping. I go
through stages in my life where I have those. Cramping so bad it literally
leaves bruises, and standing on the ball of your foot weighing 300+ lbs
won't bend your foot! First definately see your doctor since this is new
for you. Now my suggestions. Potassium helps. Also rub lotion into your
muscles, really working it in right before bed. Its not really the lotion
but rather like a message to help increase circulation. Quinine does work.
Also I remember years ago taking an over the counter pill that had just
come on the market (back in 1990 or thereabouts) I can't recall the name
now but I'm sure your pharmacist could help you out. I wish you best of
luck and hope things look up for you soon.
— [Anonymous]
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