Sometimes I have a tendency to wakeup to leg cramps and have had this issue before WLS. I try to drink as much water as possible when I think of it. I work out a lot more in the yard and in the gym after WLS so I try to keep hydrated (6-8 cups). The last few nights I have been cramping really badly in my feet, legs and now hands. I have found that when I take Hylands Homeopathic Muscle Cramps and Pain Relief Mag Phox X6 under the tongue and followed by a glass of water the cramps subside and I go back to sleep. Night before last I had to do this twice to relieve my cramps. I take my vitamins and eat about 1000-1500 calories a day. I workout almost everyday. I will schedule a check with my doctor. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Ive heard that cramping in legs is caused by low potassium. Just as an FYI coconut water has more potassium than a banana. Im doing this right now with my pre-op shakes. I used to get awful leg cramps middle of the night that would wake me up out of my sleep, sometimes in one/both legs at the same time. Bananas have about 400+mg and coconut water has around 600+mg of potassium.

1 minute ago, GeminiSky said:

Ive heard that cramping in legs is caused by low potassium. Just as an FYI coconut Water has more potassium than a banana. Im doing this right now with my pre-op shakes. I used to get awful leg cramps middle of the night that would wake me up out of my sleep, sometimes in one/both legs at the same time. Bananas have about 400+mg and coconut water has around 600+mg of potassium.

@FishOn what GeminiSky said. Increase your potassium and drink lots of water. Both can cause muscle cramping.

Try taking a magnesium capsule. Many people don’t know their levels are low, but even if they are not it definitely helps with leg cramps.

3 hours ago, mgt3boys said:

Try taking a magnesium capsule. Many people don’t know their levels are low, but even if they are not it definitely helps with leg cramps.

I was taking magnesium capsules and ran out. I need to get more. Thanks

are you a diabetic?

36 minutes ago, BajanSleeve said:

are you a diabetic?

I was diagnosed as diabetic at my heaviest last year. Was taking metformin for about 6 months then I quit taking it after losing 80 pounds. Never was given a glucose kit or told to check diabetes? I scheduled physical/labs next week to see what meds I can scrap after losing 108 pounds since 10/17

I'm getting foot and ankle cramps too. My trainer now has me doing these rolling ankle stretches (turn your ankle left for several rotations and then right several rotations, do this on both ankles). We are on our feet a lot and exercising now so we need to remember our feet and ankles support us. Since I started doing this several times a day, I have not had cramping.

I asked because I was wondering if you might have a bit of nerve neuropathy going on. Leg cramps is a part of it.

You are doing really great getting down to 199!!! 108 lbs WL Is SUCH an inspiration to me. But its still a good idea to test your blood glucose levels just to rule out that your glucose levels are under control. Which, Lord please, we hope are normal. I was diagnosed as a diabetic at 200 lbs so its still possible to have high sugar levels. A glucose meter is not that expensive and you can order one off of amazon . If you get one, get one that you can use cheap generic testing strips with. OR if you have a friend that has a kit, take a fasting reading ie: in the morning BEFORE you eat or drink anything. Or don't eat anything before your doctor appointment if its in the morning and ask them to simply prick your finger and test your blood glucose. Its important though that its done when you are fasting (not eaten or drunk anything except water) which is obviously in the morning time.

Rule out high sugar and then move from there. Magnesium like everyone has suggested helps with cramps but for me it gives me constipation if I take it over 3 days. So watch that too. For some people it relives constipation ha ha. Trust me to be backwards with it

I have posted links to amazon for cheap testing strips and the cheap meter that the generic strips work with. In case you decide to get them

Congratulations again on your fantastic WL achievement

https://www.amazon.com/GenUltimate-Strips-OneTouch-Ultra-Meters/dp/B00KH3NLI8/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1531457503&sr=8-3&keywords=generic+blood+glucose+test+strips&dpID=51jO0fWN2IL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

https://www.amazon.com/One-Touch-Ultra2-System-Kit/dp/B004AI8O4M/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1531457594&sr=1-1&keywords=OneTouch+Ultra+Meter&dpID=51eK-30QnpL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Edited July 13, 20188 yr by BajanSleeve

Thanks for all the good advice! now that I think of it, I was having constipation issues last time I was taking magnesium and will keep an eye on it when I start taking it again.

Edited July 13, 20188 yr by FishOn

Magnesium deficiency can also cause restless leg syndrome, which involves leg cramping and discomfort. If you were taking magnesium, and then stopped, I'd resume to see if it helps.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnesium-deficiency-symptoms