Charlie horse

Thanks for the clarification   I need new shoes and when I walk with my co-worker at work I walk in my flats which I am sure is not helping out!

For sure!  Can you take sneakers to change into for your walk? 

Your potassium may be low. My legs ache and spasm when it is. I drink Powerade zero at least 16 oz up to 32, and I don't have that problem. 

Thanks for the reply!  I sent an email to my doc and I will see about having my levels tested.

You don't necessarily have to wait to be tested for potassium. Put potassium rich foods on your plate. Not sure if you do carbs, but bananas are very high. I don't do those at all (allergic) so I usually reach for a V8. They have a lot too.  I also keep a supplement on hand. When it is persistent like what you are describing I will take the supplement. Just be careful though, don't make it a regular thing as potassium I believe can build up in the system. I literally go by the level of cramping to decide to eat or take a supplement.  V8s by the way are not too high in calories. I do avoid drinking calories, but those tend to be weirdly satiating for me and lots of stuff in them that I need. I tend to be low on sodium as well, so 2 birds with 1 V8.

Thanks for the response.  My PA told me to dilute OJ because she thinks it is potassium deficiency as well.

Prior to surgery, I use to get a charlie horse in either of my calves or thighs and they usually happened when I was sleeping. They were so bad that I would wake up screaming. My doctor suggested that I start having more potassium-rich foods, like oranges, bananas, sweet potatoes, lentils, etc. I no longer have the oranges or bananas, but as you see from the list below there are plenty of low or no carb choices.

Here's a list of foods from WebMd, but ABSOLUTELY SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR! 

Winter squash, cubed, 1 cup, cooked: 896 mg
Sweet potato, medium, baked with skin: 694 mg
Potato, medium, baked with skin: 610 mg
White beans, canned, drained, half cup: 595 mg
Yogurt, fat-free, 1 cup: 579 mg
Halibut, 3 ounces, cooked: 490 mg
100% orange juice, 8 ounces: 496 mg
Broccoli, 1 cup, cooked: 457 mg
Cantaloupe, cubed, 1 cup: 431 mg
Banana, 1 medium: 422 mg
Pork tenderloin, 3 ounces, cooked: 382 mg
Lentils, half cup, cooked: 366 mg
Milk, 1% low fat, 8 ounces: 366 mg
Salmon, farmed Atlantic, 3 ounces, cooked: 326 mg
Pistachios, shelled, 1 ounce, dry roasted: 295 mg
Raisins, quarter cup: 250 mg
Chicken breast, 3 ounces, cooked: 218 mg
Tuna, light, canned, drained, 3 ounces: 201 mg

Hope you're feeling better! 

Thanks for the reply!  I sent an email to my doc so hopefully she will respond back quickly.  She usually does but thanks for the info!!!  The list is very helpful.  My legs do feel better today!

If yiundiet compliant - and eat mostly low carbs - you may need to increase minerals like salt, magnesium, calcium potassium. 

Even 1/2 cup of pickle juice can help. 

We were always told to do "low salt diet"... But post op WLS most of us do the at a lot so we are not getting enough salt...I know I don't on most days... 

Yogurt, protein shakes ..etc - most of them have none to very little salt...sodium is essential to our life. 

Also - eating carbs creates glycogen in the muscles. Glycogen require a lot of water - so our muscles are hydrated. Low carb diet not only causes the glycogen to be used - but also the water. That's why when someone goes on a low carb diet - the may lose up to 5-8 lbs of water weight in the first week. 

If we don't eat manyncarbs - we need more salt and magnesium to increase the water in the muscles... 

I often use emergen-C brand mineral mix packets...or other electrolyte type packets or tablets that disolve in water (low calories, little to no sugar). 

 I do try my best to be diet compliant so yes, I am eating low carb.  Thanks for the info!