I my name is Doris. I have been banded for 2 years. Have been having very bad leg and food cramps at night, for about 2 weeks now. I was wondering if this could be due to something I am not getting in my diet. Has anyone had that problem. I am 72 and have not lost near as much weight as I would like to. About 35 lbs lost. Not sure what I am doing wrong. Please advise.

A lack of Potassium can cause muscle cramping, however if I were in your shoes I'd go see a doctor. Muscle and leg cramping have nothing to do with your band.

There are many things that cause that, some as benign as Restless Leg Syndrome to other things effecting the nervous system.

Have you ever had a sleep study? They also show results for issues such as what you're describing and are often a good start point.

Best wishes to you.

I get leg cramps at night unless I take a magnesium tablet every day. When I run out and forget to get them, I get cramps again. They also help with constipation issues.

Are you drinking enough water? Dehydration can also cause leg cramps, and it's been pretty hot all over lately.

Thanks for the replies to my leg cramps. I have added potassium and magnesium to my meds. So far no help. I will contact my doc.

Hi Doris,

Muscle cramps are generally related to electrolyte imbalances; sodium, potassium, magnesuim, Calcium, etc. They are not specifically related to Fluid imbalance except that if fluid is depleted electrolytes are lost well as they are present in body fluids.

Drinking Water alone, though a great idea, will NOT replace electrolytes that are lost through fluid loss (sweating, urination, bowel movements, and so on). There are sports drinks that include balanced electrolytes for rehydration, some are low sugar.

Your physician can advise you as to whether specific electrolytes are low by running a blood test. Some medications and medical conditions can cause cause specific electrolyte loss.

Many fresh foods contain electrolytes. Electrolytes are used by the body as the conductive stimulus for muscle contraction (the mechanism of cramping as well). It is generally best not to simply replace a single electrolyte like (potassium for example) but rather use a balanced electrolyte solution, unless you know that you are deficient in ONLY a single electrolyte (blood test). Electrolytes in the body have to be present in a rather narrow range to be effective, too much or too little will cause physical problems (some of them very dangerous).

Hi Doris,

Muscle cramps are generally related to electrolyte imbalances; sodium, potassium, magnesuim, calcium, etc. They are not specifically related to Fluid imbalance except that if fluid is depleted electrolytes are lost well as they are present in body fluids.

Drinking Water alone, though a great idea, will NOT replace electrolytes that are lost through fluid loss (sweating, urination, bowel movements, and so on). There are sports drinks that include balanced electrolytes for rehydration, some are low sugar.

Your physician can advise you as to whether specific electrolytes are low by running a blood test. Some medications and medical conditions can cause cause specific electrolyte loss.

Many fresh foods contain electrolytes. Electrolytes are used by the body as the conductive stimulus for muscle contraction (the mechanism of cramping as well). It is generally best not to simply replace a single electrolyte like (potassium for example) but rather use a balanced electrolyte solution, unless you know that you are deficient in ONLY a single electrolyte (blood test). Electrolytes in the body have to be present in a rather narrow range to be effective, too much or too little will cause physical problems (some of them very dangerous).