I'm not familiar with the meds you are taking, but my guess it that they may be causing the sleepiness, but that's just my uneducated guess. As far as the leg cramps, I've been having them off and on since my transplant. I was told to keep taking my magnesium and calcium, and you can't let your potassium get too low. Bananas, oranges or orange juice, have extra potassium, and other foods do too. There are lists online if you go to Google and look for them. I drink an Ensure everyday, because they have all of the above.

I, too, suffer with the most horrible leg cramps (mostly in thighs but lately in small muscles of feet and hands as well) that sometimes make me cry out loud......I have been eating a banana every day and now, have at least 2 low sodium V8's of 8-10 oz. each........every day as well.

Also, keep the limbs warm when you go to bed. I was making the mistake of sleeping in summer PJ's and leaving the floor fan on all night long and that was just enough to push me over the edge with the muscle cramps.

Some say that it is "too much potassium" but I have found that it is just the opposite........not enough potassium (which is leached out from taking the large doses of diuretics). Also, keep the magnesium level up. It has been my experience that the doctors really don't want to give potassium supplements in pill form but you can get the potassium through food and the magnezium with even TUMS if necessary.

Hope this helps.............I pray for you because I know what you are going through. Hugs and prayers..........CarolLentz

Cramps is often a sign of low sodium levels which can happen when diuretics are being prescribed. They may want to restrict your fluid intake, rather than add sodium into your diet.

Tiredness can also be caused by low sodium, so I would get this checked out.

Thanks oneday......I have already had sodium level checked out and the sodium level is ok so I tend to think it is from the large amounts of diuretics I take daily. Hugs and prayers..........CarolLentz

I take zinc 50mg. a day and magneisum-oxide 400mg a day suspose to take 2 of those a day doctor's advice. And you may think I''m crazy but a old time remendy I was told was a bar of zest soap under your fitted bed sheet will help it sounds crazy but try it

About the bar of soap under the sheet.......My Grandma used to have all sorts of seemingly strange "remedies".....(American Indian's have so much to share!) and she used to say that a copy of the Bible under your pillow would guarantee that you would not have any nightmares. She always had a Bible with her......I don't know why the soap thing would work but I don't know why it wouldn't, either! Worth a try and when the cramps/spasms get so bad and nothing helps, I would be willing to try it!

I saw my Hapatologist today.
We discussed leg cramps,
He told me, that something that works is quinine water.
Quinine water is nothing more than tonic water, found at your local liquor or grocery store.
Good luck.
Sammy

I have heard the same thing about the tonic water so I have been drinking it daily along with 20 oz. of low sodium V8, a large banana and a small box of raisins/dried apricots, etc., and I STILL have horrible leg cramps. I think it might have something to do with becoming dehydrated from all the diuretics taken for ascites/edema. Now, I don't know how that would work.......taking diuretics for fluid retention yet being dehydrated at the same time. No matter how many diuretics I take daily I am still filled with ascites fluid and fluid in my legs..........go figure! But, one thing I must say is that I enjoy the tonic water drinks and find them refreshing moreso than soda or even iced teas. Still, nothing can beat a cold bottle of water when you are thirsty in my opinion.
Hope some of this might help..............Hugs and prayers..........
CarolLentz

Tonic water or quinine pills will help a lot but the calcium pills with magnesium will help too.

you guys are awesome thanks I will def give the tonic and dry fruits a try will also try the calcium/magnesium.. as far as the duretics go I take them occasionally..
@Carol, I also keep my feet hands and head warm at night it helps a lil .. thanks and blessings to all cheers To Good Health.. :0)

Thanks about the suggestion of keeping limbs warm. I have noticed that, with the air conditioning on all the time anymore due to this weather, I stay "cold" all the time. My hands and feet are so cold sometimes that I can't stand to touch with them. It actually hurts.
Last night, I turned the air off completely as it was very cool in here from having been on all day. I finally got rid of the cramps in my legs/feet and was able to sleep for a change. I sure needed to sleep so it felt really good to make it through a night without laying awake. Will, from now on, make sure that my room is warm.
Thanks again........Hugs and prayers.........CarolLentz

When I had leg cramps, my mother-in-law said to drink a teaspoon of vinegar as soon as one comes on!!! So the next time I had one, tried it, and the cramp was gone almost immediately. We have been using it for years now. Drink it fast though, not too pleasant without a salad! Don't know if it will work for you or if you can take it, but good luck.

Thanks for the heads up about the vinegar to relieve cramps. I will surely try it next time I have the misfortune of those horrible cramps/spasms. Believe it or not but I love vinegar.....In fact, I sometimes crave vinegar. I love pickles and saurkraut and anything with that vinegar tartness so it won't be difficult for me to down a bit of it and will gladly do it if it will help my legs/feet/hands/arms........Those cramps are sooooo painful. Thanks again......Hugs and prayers CarolLentz

Hi Carol
My husband has those terrible cramps too. The dr. said since all his levels are ok that it's probably the diuretics. The diuretics don't discriminate where they take the fluid from. They may be taking the fluid from your hands and legs when you really need them to pull the fluid from other areas. We have found tonic water and (weirdly enough) mustard help. Take care. We all want you feeling better. You are such a lifeline to us!!

Thanks for all the ideas and possible "cures" for muscle cramps. I had not heard the one about using mustard however, I plan to try it. I have all of my "possible" cures within reach each evening before going to bed. I drink Schwepps Tonic water (must say, even with a bit of lime juice it still tasted better with a little gin as nearly as I can remember) and I have my vinegar (several kinds) and my banana and low sodium V8 juice and, of course, raisins and dried apricots. I have been sleeping with warm socks on and using a blanket over my legs even in this heat wave. I have also turned off my bedroom fan and turned the air conditioner to 78 degrees. While my husband swelters, I have (knock on wood) not had a bout of those horrible muscle cramps this entire week!!!!!!!!!!
I will continue following my little regimen and hoping and praying that it is the thing that will stop the cramps or at least lessen them, for good. I can't tell you how many nights I have gotten up shortly after falling to sleep with the most horrible twisting and painful cramps you can imagine. Then, after the cramps would leave (usually took half the night) I would be exhausted but too scared to go back to sleep!!!!!!! Thanks for all your suggestions and this is why our site is such a blessing to me! We help each other cope and give each other hope inspite of this dread liver disease.
Hugs and prayers to all............CarolLentz