Charlie Horse Post Op Day 5

[futureskinnypants 193]

hey all. i've been on Clear liquids since post op day 1. Drinking most of my Protein and getting in as much Water as i can...(propel actually)....i've been walking enough...i have some Jello or popsicle from time to time...

my legs feel like im going to get a charlie horse when im walking. and when i rub one leg with my foot...they feel bruised....why? dehydration???

[Webchickadee 716]

Sounds like your electrolytes might need a boost. The all liquid diet can "wash" out some of your much needed Calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc. Try drinking some Gatorade (G2) to rebalance your electrolytes. It should help.

[futureskinnypants 193]

i have nutrient enhanced propel zero do u think thats ok?

[Webchickadee 716]

As far as I can tell, the Propel Zero (nutrient enhanced) has added Vitamins (B + C) plus anti-oxidents. While those are great, they don't replace the important electrolytes you may be missing, such as sodium, potassium, Calcium, zinc, magnesium, etc.

Gatorade (G2, has very little sugar, uses artificial sweeteners), has ingredients such as 110 mg sodium, 30 mg potassium and a small amount of carbs (5 g) to help replenish lost vital components that help you muscles work better without cramping and keep your kidneys functioning well.

There are other choices as well to help with electrolyte restoration (I'm not a Gatorade stock holder!).

- Propel Fitness Water is one of them. It has only small amount of sugar and 35 mg of sodium as well as Vitamins B6, B3, C, E and pantothenic acid.

- Accelerade - also has protein! But high in sugar (40 g!). 10 g of Protein, 380 mg of sodium and 1300 mg of potassium. I would only recommend this if you are really depleted in all your electrolytes or if you're working out really hard (later, when you're healed up!)

- GU2O - is a powder you add to Water. Is 100 calories and has 4 g of sugar (fructose). Has 240 mg of sodium, potassium (can't recall how much) and 26 g of carbs

Those are just a few ideas you can try to get things straightened out. It won't be so much of a problem once you're into mushies and able to balance your food and liquid intake a bit better.

Good luck!

[kimbernada 190]

Also, symptoms of a blood clot also feel like you are going to get a charlie horse. If drinking Powerade Zero or Gatorade G2 doesn't help, you might want to get in to a walk-in clinic or ER to have an ultrasound done on your leg. I don't mean to scare you, but you sure don't want to mess around with a potential clot.

I had a blood clot in my leg about six years ago and I walked around with it for about a week before going in - I just thought I was going to get a big charlie horse.