Cramp

[beetle]

For those of you who suggested tonic water when I mentioned I was getting cramps can you tell me how much you drink please? ( with or without the gin😂)

Thanks and best wishes, Jan

[Swede]

Never heard that Tonic water is the thing to drink when you have cramp. It will help if you have malaria aswell...;-))

[beetle in reply to Swede]

Yes, it's the quinine that does both apparently. I can let you know how successful it is with cramp but I'm not planning to experiment with malaria any time soon!

[Swede in reply to beetle]

Hmmmm...I have already had malaria....

[beetle in reply to Swede]

Oh poor you!

[Swede in reply to beetle]

It was sort of ok as I managed to get home before the onset and is was me, not my 2 children! As I had spent 5 weeks with the WHO malaria-resposible doctor, I knew all the symptoms so I could inform the doctor at the hospital and I asked for the djungle dose straight away soit all went fairly smooth ( it was the type that can be fully cured).

[Rachelthepotter]

Hi Jan

Don't know about the tonic water but getting someone else to stretch out the cramping leg for me worked well. Haven't had any cramps for a while. All the best .

[richardbattell]

My wife's cramps stopped after the doctor prescribed Quinine Sulphate 200mg taken at night. The doctor told her she would have to drink so much tonic water to make a difference, she would be visiting the bathroom all night.

[beetle]

Thank you Richard. My doctor did mention getting it prescribed but suggested trying tonic water first as nothing comes without side effects! I already beat a path to the loo at least once if not twice a night! 😏

[linds]

Having been a slave to cramp I can confirm that tonic water with quinine definitely works - and I only have a tiny can so won't make a difference to how many times you get up at night. I find I can't bear anyone to touch my legs when I cramp. Also, the biggest help once you have cramp is an ice pack to stand on. Cramp generally goes straight away.

I do have the tonic water solo by the way as to have gin in it brings on the hot flushes! Oh dear ........

Linds x

[beetle in reply to linds]

I would need it solo too as alcohol in any form turns my face into a beetroot! No secret drinking for me - fortunately it's not something I miss except maybe at Christmas. Perhaps I should just wear a green jumper then that and my red face would blend in with the decorations 😂😂. I am going to give the small cans a go as others have reported some relief from that small amount of quinine.

[Aime]

Hi, my doc told me you would have to drink litres of tonic water to get enough quinine to make a difference. He never said anything about the gin! I ended up getting tablets also. I’m not sure if they helped. The hydrotherapy pool helps me with all cramps and pains but of course irritates my itch! I think stretching exercises plus try warm towel or similar, might help.

Kind regards Aime xx😺😺

[beetle in reply to Aime]

Of course I'd love my own hydrotherapy pool and modern houses don't even have bath tubs. The cramp wakes me from sleep at night and up until now I have been able to stop it eventually by easing my foot to the ground. However the cramped muscles are sore all the next day. I'd try taking a hot water bottle to bed but I get so hot in bed anyway that I think all of me would end up on the floor😲.

[Aime in reply to beetle]

Wish it was my pool, it would save me travelling but it’s worth it for the joints! I seem to go through spells of cramp and then none. These are strange conditions. Hope you feel better soon.xx Regards Aime😺😺

[light]

Hi, I suffered with cramps and RLS (restless leg syndrome) big way. Then I started taking Magnesium and I had to find the one that is good for me. I had to test it several/different types of Magnesium till I managed to find the one that is working for me.

Wishing you well

[beetle in reply to light]

My magnesium is within normal range so that should not be the problem. It has only started since using desferioxamine to reduce the iron from transfusions and cramp is a known side effect! It is such a merry go round with drug side effects! Thank you for your response and kind wishes

[Jerrymohler]

I was told that just 3-5 swallows is enough.

[beetle in reply to Jerrymohler]

Opinions do seem to vary an awful lot. I'm going to give it a go and see what happens. I guess as with so many things our responses are all different so I'll just keep my 🤞

[Pkm52]

I would check with your doctor. Tonic water has Quinine in it. It was widely prescribed to control heart rhythms. I always mention that to my “Gin & Tonic” friends. Too much could be problematic in some people. Magnesium is the favorite choice now. Epson salt has directions regarding dosage mainly for constipation, 2 cups in a warm soaking tub helps as your skin will absorb some magnesium. I read an article a few months back that said it appears many are short on it from our diet. In the states there are ads on TV pushing a lotion with Mg+ in for muscle cramps.

It is also a wonderful plant fertilizer. This is what I told my patients. I am not giving you advise to follow but some information to talk to YOUR Dr. about.

I have ET Jak2. I take Hydroxyurea and have been having cramping too. I never had them before .

Good luck

Patty

[beetle in reply to Pkm52]

Hi Patty. Thanks for that. I have found that 150mls tonic water every other day is doing the trick for me. My doctor was just concerned about the effects of quinine lowering my platelets but my latest blood test showed that they were the only cells on the increase.

Best wishes Jan