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Suggest Treatment For Sever Cramps In Legs After Heart Bypass Surgery
Question: 69 yr old male, 4 way heart bypass 16 months ago (no complications following surgery); 3 mos later treated for congestive heart disease (now taking water pill); has had both legs "cleaned out" about 5 times over the last 15 years, most recently 1 week ago using medicated balloon in right leg due to 100% block. Left leg has 80% block & will be taken care of soon. Current problem: severe cramps in calf of left leg. Running hot water over the leg for 20 minutes helped ease the cramp. Also drinks tonic water with quinine (usually helps relieve cramps). Also some discomfort in upper left chest. Can this wait until Monday to see the Dr?
Brief Answer:
Yes this can wait till Monday, add electrolyte to therapy...
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Your problems are related to left leg artery blockage and excessive diuretic usage which is followed with electrolyte imbalance. It's a good thing that the pain is relieved with hot water over the leg and tonic water with quinine.
My opinion is that this can wait till Monday for doctor appointment. I would suggest to add electrolyte supplements to your therapy (the supplements should contain sodium chloride, magnesium, potassium, calcium and Vitamine B6 for example Endurolytes capsule).
However, if the pain and cramps persist unrelieved after 2 hours, or the leg skin become blue than you should go immediately to the ER for further examinations and treatment.
Hope this was of help!
Dr. Benard
Yes this can wait till Monday, add electrolyte to therapy...
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Your problems are related to left leg artery blockage and excessive diuretic usage which is followed with electrolyte imbalance. It's a good thing that the pain is relieved with hot water over the leg and tonic water with quinine.
My opinion is that this can wait till Monday for doctor appointment. I would suggest to add electrolyte supplements to your therapy (the supplements should contain sodium chloride, magnesium, potassium, calcium and Vitamine B6 for example Endurolytes capsule).
However, if the pain and cramps persist unrelieved after 2 hours, or the leg skin become blue than you should go immediately to the ER for further examinations and treatment.
Hope this was of help!
Dr. Benard
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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