Muscle cramps

[Kimmyliz12]

I have been suffering from awful muscle cramps at night. I have a slow release madapor tablet before going to bed but doesn't help. Grateful for any advice on how to deal with this às finding it exhausting

Thanks

[Pjgil]

Drink tonic water. It contains quinine which is great for cramp. It doesn't taste great so I recommend mixing with some squash.

[SewBears in reply to Pjgil]

I’ve also heard that tonic water helps but we haven’t tried it. We’re not thrilled about the taste either. Any ideas of a non-alcohol mix to make it taste better?

Thanks

[easterncedar in reply to SewBears]

Grape or orange juice with tonic tastes good to me, although I prefer vodka with a twist of lime!

[Kimmyliz12 in reply to Pjgil]

I will definitely try this lucky I like the taste of it thanks

[Hidden]

Yes, tonic water does the job, but you can also get quinine sulphate tablets from the GP but you must check interaction with other medications.

[easterncedar in reply to Hidden]

Hi, Nader. How are you? You went through so much with your parents. I hope you are as well as can be. It's good to see you here. Peace, ec

[Hidden in reply to easterncedar]

Dear Easterncedar, thank you so much for your message and how kind of you to remember me. Yes, it was such a ghastly time! Dad died just over five years ago, frankly, I don't think I'll ever get over it. It was like a horror story with regards to the care he was given. So many ignorant so called professionals involved. I have survived it but not undamaged, I think that is fair to say. One just has to carry on doesn't one? That's why, if I think I can help anyone on their journey on this site, I try to help. We all need as much help as we can get. I hope all is well with you too. Thank you again. X

[easterncedar in reply to Hidden]

Yes. That's all just it for me, too.

[Hidden in reply to easterncedar]

Yes, life isn't easy is it. Actually, I would love to know where are you? I am in the East End of London. NHS services quite poor to be honest.

[easterncedar in reply to Hidden]

U.S. Services not great here, and expensive, but my guy had served in the military and qualified for assistance, which saved me. The VA here in Maine is fabulous.

[Hidden in reply to easterncedar]

Thanks! I'm now going to look up exactly where is Maine!! Ha ha!! America is such a huge country compared to our little tiddly island !!

[easterncedar in reply to Hidden]

Your island may be small, but it's still so full of beauty and nature as well as history, where our ugly sprawl just eats up the landscape uncontrolled. Maine is a bit of an outpost in the east. Most forested state, largest and least populated in New England. I moved here 32 years ago from western NY and stuck. Time moves more slowly here.

[Hidden in reply to easterncedar]

I've just come off U tube and had a good look around the state. I see what you mean about the sprawl but you have many beautiful areas. Well looking you up has kept me out of mischief for a good fifteen minutes!! Ha ha!! We love the countryside too and have land in Wales so we can escape London from time to time but London does have a wonderful history and is great for culture.

My father was also a military man but we had no help from that side.

I wanted to ask you something. When your husband was fairly well into the disease and was quite poorly, did he seem to perk up to seemingly being almost normal when you had a special visitor or event happening? I think this phenomenon has a special name which I cannot remember. It used to happen with my dad. I'm very interested because maybe, in this, there may be a clue to a cure!! I may be grasping at straws but maybe there is some enzyme or hormone released in the brain at these high points and may be of interest to our neurologists who are researching for a cure. What ever they are doing or looking for at the moment does not seem to be bearing fruit! Unless things are happening about which we do not know. Do you know what I'm talking about. We so desperately need a cure.

[LostinHeadSpace]

Depending on the cause, sometime magnesium helps. Magnesium malate is the better form to take, we were told.

[cjp1058]

I have them too, try taking a tablespoon of mustard before going to bed maybe some water behind it. May sound crazy but it works!

[AnneandChris]

Hello there

Chris used to rub Magnesium oil into his leg to help with this. Sadly as his condition worsened it didn't work so well and he has now been prescribed Clonazepam which gives him a really good uninterrupted mights sleep.

Hope this helps

Anne

[easterncedar]

My father had a terrible time with leg cramps at night. His doctor recommended a glass of milk before bed for the calcium. My father said it helped. I hope something works for you. Such an awful thing!

[Nanny857]

Have to agree with those who recommended tonic water, it works for me. I sympathise with you as I know it can be very painful at times. Good luck. Nanny857xx

[Mandelin in reply to Nanny857]

Do you just drink tonic water before bed or in the evening and how much? I am trying to figure out if my leg cramps are from something I’m eating. Have gotten them several times after having hummus, but I don’t eat that much of it. I know I get them other times too but don’t know if it’s associates with something I am eating.

[Nanny857]

I just keep a small tin of tonic on my bedside table and take when cramp begins. Usually doesn't take long to take effect. xx

[Cathie_Tully]

When my legs cramp , I put an ice pack on them, it stops it for me

[salem16 in reply to Cathie_Tully]

Agree ice packs help, no ice use popsicles. Just don’t freeze leg wrap in towel. I have been looking for a regular ginger body lotion seemed to help. Also have been told take tumeric haven’t tried yet.

[Tippyleaf]

Hi Kimmylitz

Some good suggestions - In tonic water and magnesium. Just another thought do you take diuretics ( water tablets) if so would be good to ask GP to check potassium levels . Eating a banana before bed which is high in potassium may also help

Hope you crack it - muscular cramps are deeply unpleasant!! Do let us know if you find anything else which works

Love Tippy

[Kimmyliz12 in reply to Tippyleaf]

Hi I have been drinking tonic water and seems to be helping so great to be able to get simple tips and help from people who understand