General Chat

My doctor prescribed a type of quinine sulphate tablet. I don't take them regularly - just one when I get hit by a cramp. It relieves it quickly and I don't get another for a very long time after that.

Funny been on statins 9yrs. cramps been better.
Carol

i get a lot of cramp in feet and legs ,as ronald said,statins ...i find a glass of tonic water ,just once a day can help a lot. iris

Yeah. I get both foot and leg cramp. Side effect of Statins!

I have mentioned before on Dutch's thread when talking about leg cramps, that I have been taking quinine for years for them, but keeping legs warm in bed also helps.

I find standing tip toe on the offending foot sorts it out.

Steve
:o)

Quinine is not as benign a substance as was thought in the past. In the US, it may not be prescribed for cramps, "because even under a doctor's care, its risks outweigh any possible benefits".

"Quinine poses serious and potentially deadly risks."
"Since 1969, the FDA has received 665 reports of serious adverse reactions caused by quinine. The agency has received reports of almost 100 deaths caused by quinine. In light of these grave risks, the FDA urges patients not to use quinine for the treatment or prevention of leg cramps."
http://www.oshmanlaw.com/pharmaceutical_litigation/quinine.html

Regular stretching is the first line of attack recommended.

I dont get in the summer, thought it was the warm weather , But now you've got me thinking maybe its the quinine in the G & Ts mmmmm .Hope it' easing off now.

For immediate relief


Stand up

Painful BC. T sometimes gets cramp in bed and leaps out yelling (Quite a shock in the middle of the night when I am asleep. And if it turns out to be plantar faciitis, you know he will sympathise whole heartedly. Same exercise for PF as cramp, puut the toes towards yoyr knee and hold for up to five minutes (advice of chiropodist).

I'm with you there, NS -- grandma's bunions! Haven't worn high heels in 30 years; it's genetic, not fashion-related.

But -- walking on tiptoes does give you foot cramps if you're prone. I used to do water aerobics, and I had to get the instructors to say once a minute, as we were running around in circles, "Heels Down!" It was too easy in water to prance around on toes, and I was getting struck down by foot cramps regularly, and looking like I was just trying to get out of phys ed class still all those years later. ;)

Some say eating bananas regularly helps a bit with cramp.

I have found that wearing a pair of knee high mens socks in bed does the trick. I wear them in summer too.

If, when cramp strikes, you tip a little salt on to the palm of your hand and lick it off, your cramp will disappear instantly in most cases.

Has only let me down once,even when I once fell over in the street with a cramped calf.

I think it is because your sub-conscious is distracted by the taste of the salt and lets go of the tight muscle.

It's when your toes separate ,and 2 go up and 2 down.They have a life of their own lol.It's no joke though.

Thanks again folks:-) Of all the lovely things I could have inherited from my Grandma...she left me her bunions and awful feet. BUT I really like Janey's tips for cramp, bananas ice cream and lots of swearing...lol...BCXX

I am a lifelong horrific foot cramp sufferer. Bits of my feet -- different bits, it goes in cycles -- seem determined to separate themselves from my body regularly.

Two tips for preventing them, in case it helps:
- get enough potassium and calcium in your diet
- get enough sleep

Have a bowl of ice cream and bananas before going to bed early every night, and you may be plump and boring, but you shouldn't get foot cramps. ;)

Mine are worst at the end of days when I just haven't got enough sleep. I've been trying to get more sleep and also consuming bananas, both in connection with high BP and the meds (diuretics) to treat it. Haven't had a foot cramp in a few weeks.

When it happens, you need to stretch the cramped muscle, hurt as it does. If It's my big toe trying to rip itself off my foot, I clutch it back to where it belongs. I just sit clutching and bending and swearing, usually. Swearing does help. Mind you, when it happens in the middle of grocery shopping and you have to spend 10 minutes sitting on a case of tinned tomatoes in the middle of an aisle clutching your foot, you have to try not to swear quite as much ...

Thanks for all the tips:-) but as I still have a great deal of pain in foot, it is probably something else....have stuffed down some painkillers and have stopped screaming so that's good! BCXX

not sure but i get this in my toes and it is so painful at times and it;s usually only my right foot.

I always get cramp if I am not drinking enough fluids.... very painful... also when my potassium levels are low.... on ongoing problem for me since the chemo...... so I just eat more potatoes, tomatoes and bananas (not that keen on bananas) and drink lots of water.... that seems to stave off any more attacks for a while... I get it in my left calf and left foot.... actually moving the muscle, which blinking hurts anyway.... eases it, and if you can reach, massaging the knot in the muscle with a really hard knuckle movement.

Love

Daff xxxxxxx