My rheumy advised me to drink tonic water with quinine every day to relieve foot and leg cramps. I read differing opinions about safety and efficacy regarding this prescription. It does help me.
Does anyone have experience with this? Heard of it? Contraindications?
Blurry62
Golly that sounds old school. Let us know if it helps. Magnesium is the usual advice for cramp.
I thought so. I liked the idea of it though. Simple. It does help. Perhaps I should go with the mag. though.....
always so much to navigate, huh?
For sure. I like the idea too.
My GP prescribed me quinine sulfate which works miracles. They don’t seem to be too keen on quinine nowadays though. I heard that if you just drink tonic water the problem is you need to drink several bottles.
Yes I read it would take a few bottles worth. This is why there is a reluctance to prescribe especially as off license....
cks.nice.org.uk/leg-cramps#...
And interactions..
bnf.nice.org.uk/interaction...
In my case quinine sulfate works like a dream. I do not take it every day though only when the cramp is bad. My mother used to take it too before they started being wary of quinine!
Certainly there are regarding re pred, but not in a bottle I don't think..
I broke my foot recently and was immobilised in a boot . I was getting cramps in the affected leg. the dr in Cyprus recommended taking the boot off and soaking the leg before bedtime in very salty water the putting the boot back on. It worked!
There is so little quinine in tonic water it is unlikely to do any good - you'd have to drink gallons! Here where I live we get magnesium supplements that make a really quite pleasant fizzy drink - given the option in terms of tonic is full-sugar I think the magnesium is preferable!! And it works.
That's true , they used to regularly suggest drinking tonic water in the old days for people suffering with lower limb cramps and mild neuropathy ( pins and needles, throbbing ) as it did help.
My Father was recommended it because of circulation and nerve issues after a leg injury on top of his cardiac issues .
The difference being that , in the old days the amount of quinine in a bottle of tonic water was much larger , so there was the possibility that it could be more efficacious without needing supplements instead.
My Father loved the suggestion because he was always partial to a good gin and tonic , the drink of choice which from then on he could raise in for cheers saying ,
" Here's to Doctors Orders!"
Today's tonic water has a much lower quinine content , as a number of years ago the Food and Drinks Authorities actually recommended the change.
Some tonic water brands have no quinine at all but a flavouring substitute so you need to be careful choosing the brand if you drink it for the quinine , and even then , unless you could drink enough to raise the Titanic it is highly unlikely to do as much good as a supplement from the GP.
So , if they think quinine would be beneficial , then ask the GP for a more standardised quinine supplement instead.
But as Pro says there are various effervescent tablets that are flavoured , sugar free and high in mineral content , like magnesium and isotonics that will help your nutrient level and might reduce any cramps too.
You could even try both and keep your options open .
Been on the internet today looking for some. Haven't found anything that matches that description yet. I will check the viramin/mineral shop tomorrow/ I could always put flavored powderin carbonated water. I'll figure it out. thanks for the reply.
Isn't the point of getting this to get a product that includes minerals like magnesium , potassium etc not just a flavoured drink?
Sorry I'm getting lost now .
HAHAHA! You crack me up. You're right!!!! But, you crack me up.
Shows how despreate I am for a "pleasant, refreshing treatment." 'Nough said...
Thanks for the refocus.
I'm thinking you will have sound words for my next post. watch for it please.....seriously.....
I will do so while dancing on my bum on the sofa to the BBC Glastonbury coverage , now that's what I call GCA/ PMR multi tasking!😋😁😂😂😂😘
I'm in the US; have to google Glastonbury to see what you're talking about. *chuckle*
Basically think Woodstock but generally with more mud 😨
Except this year ...
I take a 200mg tablet of quinine every night plus a magnesium tablet and it works fine except when I first get out of bed, but that soon wears off!
I echo the comment about the tiny amount of quinine in tonic water. I was offered quinine tablets for leg cramps but (reading about the potential side-effects) I settled for a magnesium substitute - with good results. The one I use (in UK) is Magnesium Citrate - orange flavoured and fizzy! - from company called "Nature's best" (I'm sure others are available!). Good luck with whatever you do ... cramps are evil.
Thanks! I have that brand available here in the US
Appreciate the tip.
' Nature's Best ' do have a good standardised product for all different nutrient supplements and are well recommended for all your different needs.
I use a homeopathic remedy called "leg cramps". It contains a tiny amount of quinine. 1 or 2 tabs, and restless legs,/leg cramps are gone. Also use magnesium in my regular daily supplement.
I drink sugar free tonic water because I like the taste, with or without the gin, always with lime. 😋
Jerri
PMR diagnosed 2013, currently 7.5 pred.
Methotrexate, and prednisone 
Prednisone and sleep
What does prednisone do?
Covid and prednisone
Prednisone and metabolism
