Question:
I am 4 weeks post op today. I have lost 38 + lbs and have sleeping problems.
Prior to surgery, and only on rare occasions, had I had sleeping problems due to leg pain (Basically when it was really damp and my osteoarthritis would act up). But since my surgery, although nothing about my recovery is remarkable in any way, I know find myself waking repeatedly to switch positions because my ankles, knees and hips 'Ache" (for lack of a better word.) Its not really pain, but like a tightening feeling that makes me have to tighten my muscles, stretch legs back and forth etc., till I fall back asleep, only to have to wake again to switch positions. Any clues??? Could this be a lack of something? — Carole C. (posted on July 16, 2000)
July 16, 2000
Hi Carole. I've never had any trouble with sleeping. In fact I used to
call it my "hobby" (that, and eating of course) because I did it
so well! And because I usually have 4 little dogs sleeping with me,(mini
dachshunds) I generally sleep in one position throughout the night (they
all have their own positions and get real "grumbly" when I move
around and disturb it). Last night, however, I was kinda plagued with
"twitching" and had a hard time finally falling to sleep. (drove
the dogs nutz!) After reading your post, I began to wonder, too, if it
could be a "lack of something". I'd be interested in anyone
else's insight on this as well. Good luck and God bless, cj
— cj T.
July 16, 2000
Hi Carole,
I can't help you on the "lack of something" concern, but I too
had trouble sleeping during part of my recovery. I experienced the same
feelings of being stiff etc. I found that sleeping with a pillow between
my knees while on my side or under my knees while on my back helped a lot.
I mentioned it to the nurse and Dr. on one of my folow up visits and they
said I should take my pain pills right before bed-time to help relax me. I
had quit using them for pain at that point, but I did use them a few times
to help sleep. Between the pillows and the occassional pain pill I got
over that phase in just a couple of weeks. Now I sleep like rock again.
— Diane S.
July 16, 2000
Excellent weight loss. I don't know if this will help but have you been
checked for sleep apnea? When I was, I was asked if I noticed if my legs
twitched. They called it something like twitching leg.?? I didn't
experience it, but there might be something to check out.
— Janice K.
July 16, 2000
There is a condition called Restless Leg Syndrome that is associated with
sleep apnea. I would check this possibility out if for nothing more than
ruling it out.
— [Anonymous]
July 16, 2000
Hi there. I experienced something similiar at about 2.5-3 mos post op...it
was in my lower buttcheek and ran down through the back of my thighs. I
don't have sleep apnea, in fact, my snoring is pretty much gone now...but I
do see a chiropractor and have been advised to make sure I do some serious
stretches...slow, but effective...to help my body cope with the sudden
weightloss. Your body (or rather, mine) was used to a certain
posture...certain muscles working at certain strengths to maintain your
posture...when you lose weight suddenly, it throws that balance
off...different muscles are being pulled into play...and you need to make
sure you stay as limber as possible to keep from cramping up and putting
excessive strain on muscles that aren't used to it.
My humble opinion, of course...hope you feel better soon.
— Lucky B.
July 16, 2000
I am sure ther are many reasons for leg pain. If it is more cramping the
sometimes it is related to an imbalance of you electrolytes. Especially
potassium.
— [Anonymous]
July 16, 2000
When I went through the Optifast diet I developed leg cramps
and the Dr. gave me Potasium pills and they went away. You
may try increasing your potasium level with a supplement a
few times a week or more.
— Dennis J. B.
July 16, 2000
COuld this be a stress reaction? You might try some simple exercises and
stretching prior to bed time. I would also try a banana an hour before
bedtime.
— Danny K.
July 16, 2000
Hello there,
Sounds more to me like restless legs, than a lack of anything due to
surgery, I have leg cramps, but, mine is from a lack of potasium. That can
be taken in potatoes, bannas, and in tablet form. Linda My daughter has
restless legs, and had to get medication from her doctor.
— Linda H.
July 16, 2000
Are you still taking any medications for pain? When I was in the hospital
for my recent hernia surgery I was getting demerol injections for pain and
it caused me to have muscle spasms and made me uncomfortable lying in one
postition for too long. Once I got off the demerol, I went back to normal.
— Lynn K.
July 16, 2000
This could be a potassium deficiency. Try eating a banana or an orange.
(of course follow the restrictions your doc gave you) Quinine may also
help. That is the main ingredient in Q-vell which is for leg cramps. I
used to get them all the time. The bananas and oranges helped me. Good
luck.
--Michelle
— Michelle E.
July 16, 2000
I would get these after taking a diuretic because of a potassium
deficiency. Try eating a banana or taking potassium vitamins. If it gets
worse see a doctor.
— snicklefritz
July 17, 2000
If it is a potassium deficiency, what I use is the Mortons No Salt. Daily I
put 1/4 tsp in about an ounce of juice. Drink it down fast (as it tastes
salty) then follow with something like water or plain juice. The only
ingredient is potassium.I take it just like a vitamin. Then make sure you
drink lots of fluids. I use to have terrible leg cramps and haven't at all
since surgery
— ZZ S.
November 3, 2000
I have the same thing. It is not leg cramps, it is probably Restless Leg
Syndrome. In the past, I have had this when I stopped taking pain pills of
some kind after a long illness. Now, this is not the case. It is frequent
and very uncomfortable. I am seeing my doctor asap, but
in the meantime, I am taking an iron supplement, a common cause of restless
leg syndrome(RLS). To find out more about RLS, check out this URL-
www.rls.org/main.asp
— Debra J.
Click Here to Return