Diabetes and leg cramps?

My dad has diabetes, and we've noticed after he takes his insulin he gets massive leg cramps. We know it's mostly potassium deficiency due to the insulin, but we were wondering, why only the legs? Why not his arms, or back or something else, only in his thighs and calves.

Diabetics have poor vessels, in extremities often known as peripheral vascular disease, this cramping is called intermittent claudication, which only happens when walking takes place. not enough blood flow is keeping up with the walking. Tell him to take it easy when he gets this pain and see a doctor

Your dad should be checked for PAD (peripheral artery disease) I thought I just had leg cramping too, turned out I had to have 2 stents in my heart and 3 in my right leg and 2 in my left leg. It's nothing to mess with and most people that have it, thought it was something else. Just to be sure, get the test.

I expect your father has peripheral neuropathy. and quite badly. That means the nerve ends are damaged by the diabetes. If you can imagine a piece if of wire or rope which is frayed. Messages from the brain are not being transmitted correctly to the legs and muscles.

Does he sweat a lot? I find that mineral loss also plays a part. As to vascular problems - I am still quite healthy in that department in the legs and am not sure that also plays a part. I dont inject insulin any more, but I do have cramps in the night - sometimes in both legs and often a lot....true if I have walked a lot - through airports etc. I hate cramps and can sympathise with your Dad so much. Believe me. Keeping up good mineral intake, good diet and good sugar levels helps incredibly. Cramps often tell me that I have been a bad boy. I have asked several doctors what I could take and do. Not really had a good answer - except - keep those vels down, behave, and lead a good and improve lifestyle...thats the only way...Never damage cannot be repaired but it can be improved. How long has your dad been on insulin and what type of diabets does he have. Is he overweight..Is he in control...These are the types of question I would be asking him.

As to your question about arms and hands...I bet he has a loss of sensation there. finger and hands too....itching

The leg muscles are stronger than other muscles and the legs tend to move more at night. There are also issues with blood supply in some diabetics. These are why the legs get cramps more often than elsewhere.