cramping of the toes and calf's of both legs

[nina7252]

FOR AT LEAST FOUR YEARS SINCE I HAD MY GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY.I'VE LOST 150LBS.
I HAVE BEEN GETTING CRAMPS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.
IT STARTS IN MY TOES AND GOES UP TO MY CALF'S. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS IN BOTH LEGS.
LAST WEEK IT STARTED IN THE CALF AND WENT UP TO MY THIGH ON THE LEFT LEG.
NO ONE KNOWS WHY I GET THIS.
THE ONLY THING THAT HELPS IS PUTTING MY LEGS UNDER HOT WATER FOR AT LEAST FIVE MINUTES.

[nancy99n]

I agree with ggeg -- it's probably lack of potassium.  My internist also recommended a magnesium supplement.  As soon as I started taking daily magnesium, my leg and toe cramps pretty much stopped altogether.  I also eat an occasional banana for the potassium.

[ggreg]

Could be you're not absorbing minerals very well, lack of potassium or iron can do this.  Also could be you've got restless legs syndrom, you can read about it online.  But since you had a gastro problem in the past, I'd put my money on the mineral thing.