Leg Cramps!

[JennJ536 43]

Called my doctor today because I am getting horrible leg cramps! They are going to do blood work to see if it could be dehydration. I try and drink as much Water as I can but it is hard! How does anyone get a lot of water in? I can only do about 4 ounces at a time. I am also too afraid if I over drink that it could stretch my stomach or possibly make me throw up.

[BrownDoesAll 409]

Typically leg cramps are caused by lack of hydration. How far along in the process are you? No worries you wont stretch your stomach with Water. It pretty much goes through you and doesn't stretch your stomach.Try to also lower the amount of salt in your foods. check sodium content of the Soups. If you sip slowly and try to increase the amount of water you can get down at a time. Obviously don't push it.. or you'll get sick, Sip and drink slowly

[Susie in Lima 320]

Hey there, I am sorry you are having such trouble. Just sip sip sip. I also found that if I put some flavoring in it like Mio or Crystal Light, that helps me to get it down. I am not sure how far out you are from surgery but you will be able to drink more as time goes on. Hope you feel better soon!

[LeanerLena5426 61]

Are you on a low carb diet? I got a lot of leg cramps when I was on a low carb diet for a long time (pre-sleeve days). Foods with carbs are the same ones with a lot of potassium, like bananas and potatoes. Could be low potassium. You may want to try to drink something with electrolytes to rehydrate, instead of straight Water. Good luck! Hope you feel better soon!

[JennJ536 43]

I am 6 weeks out. I am fine during the day with the cramps but oh my gosh at night it is horrible! I wake up out of a dead sleep sometimes in near tears! They hurt. Going to try and keep pushing the fluids. Just when I drink too much too fast I get that same full feeling as I do with food.< /p>

[JennJ536 43]

Are you on a low carb diet? I got a lot of leg cramps when I was on a low carb diet for a long time (pre-sleeve days). Foods with carbs are the same ones with a lot of potassium' date=' like bananas and potatoes. Could be low potassium. You may want to try to drink something with electrolytes to rehydrate, instead of straight Water. Good luck! Hope you feel better soon! [/quote']

I am low carb.. The doctor said for the time being to eat a banana everyday until I get blood work done and hope that it helps. I will defiantly try the fluids with electrolytes! Thanks!

[Chittick24 52]

Defiantly sounds like dehydration. Try sip sip sip and slowly do more fluids

[Beach Lover 1,084]

If you find yourself dizzy, fuzzy headed, dry eyes,dry mouth or dark urine those are also symptoms of dehydration. You can drink Smart Water or G2 both of these have electrolytes in them. Combined with the banana that might do the trick. I have had those night cramps and they are awful. I can't tell you how many times I flew out of my bed to try and stretch them out. Sometimes they are so bad your leg hurts the next day from it. Good luck!!

[JennJ536 43]

Thanks for the advice! I got a little more Water in today. Crossing my fingers for no leg cramps tonight!

[Kennedy 100]

I too have been getting leg cramps in the middle of the night. I drink all day long but don't drink at night because I don't want to get up a million times at night. I think it is dehydration.

[Alys3129 24]

It's my understanding that they are caused by a lack of magnesium

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

I was told leg cramps are ALL about the potassium... Nasty thing to suffer from. I feel for you x

[Alys3129 24]

I had heard potassium too.... Just looked it up. Since both potassium and magnesium are minerals they act as electrolytes. Leg cramps can be caused by a deficiency of either one.

[supbanana 153]

I used to wake up crying and unable to move thanks to leg cramps when I first started a low carb diet. Potassium was totally the culprit. I bought lo-salt (half sodium, half potassium) and used it in place of salt and the cramps stopped immediately. I still sleep with a bottle of potassium pills by my bed just in case, those leg cramps are so unbelievably painful.

[cindymg 629]

I take Magnesium capsules for leg cramps. It was hard to find a Magnesium capsule that I could swallow after surgery (most were big, dry pills). Whole Foods has a magnesium capsule by Country Life. You can also get a pill called "Leg Cramps" by Hyland. Avail at most drug stores, Walmart and Whole Foods.