Cure for leg cramps

[PineRidge]

Every once in a while I get the kind that wakes you up from a sound sleep and it's a royal pain to jump out of bed. Mine hit in the back of the lower leg but I would still rather put up with them than eat bananas.

[midlf]

PineRidge - I bet if the screaming leg cramps were happening every night, at least once a night, you would eat the bananas.

[Bird]

Originally Posted by JerryG

I've heard that too much coffee can cause leg cramps. If she would quit drinking coffee, the craps might quit. But, then she might be hard to live with for a while.

Yep, Jerry, I'm afraid she wouldn't listen to me, a doctor, or anyone else with that advice. You know I met this old gal shortly before she turned 21 and been married to her now for over 41 years, and that's one thing that's never changed. She's sipping coffee 16 hours a day. But I'll tell her she should try it anyway just to see her roll her eyes at me.

[JerryG]

[quote=Bird But I'll tell her she should try it anyway just to see her roll her eyes at me.[/quote]
I would love to see you tell her that.

[CurlyDave]

Quinine tablets and plenty of fluids seems to work best for me.

Same for me.

My doc started by suggesting tonic water, so I started drinking about 1 liter per day of diet Schweppe's. Took some getting used to, but now I actually like the stuff, crisp & refreshing.

I asked her for some quinine pills next and now I take 1/2 pill per day, but I still drink the Schweppe's. Funny thing is the pills are far less expensive than the tonic water. About $6 for 30 pills, about $1.50/liter for the Schweppe's.

Anyway the leg cramps are gone, and I would gladly pay $1.50 per day not to have them.

[dancer]

Originally Posted by PineRidge

Every once in a while I get the kind that wakes you up from a sound sleep and it's a royal pain to jump out of bed. Mine hit in the back of the lower leg but I would still rather put up with them than eat bananas.

I remember having seen some websites a while back that rated common foods for their mineral and nutrient values. For potassium, bananas were 8 or 10 items down from the top of the list which was headed by ... BROCCOLI !!!

[PineRidge]

Originally Posted by dancer

I remember having seen some websites a while back that rated common foods for their mineral and nutrient values. For potassium, bananas were 8 or 10 items down from the top of the list which was headed by ... BROCCOLI !!!

BROCCOLI?? You know those quinine pills are sounding better and better.

[Egon]

Steamed Broccali drizzled with garlic flavored olive oil, absolute heaven.

Best check with your doctor about the leg cramps.

[Soundguy]

Here's a related question. I don't frequently get leg cramps.. though do occasionally get foot cramps when sleeping. I also occasionally get a cramp in the side.. say.. 6" under armpit.. slightly toward the back. Powerfull ones...Boy.. I have to pull over and stretch if driving. Usually they go away in about 5-10 minutes.. though i have found that if i chew a dry aspirin right when it starts.. that I can get rid of it in 3 mins or so. not sure if that is just 'luck'.. or what.. any ideas ont he side cramps? I'd really like to -NOT- have them.. they are quite painfull.

Does the potasium / bannana thing work for them too?

Soundguy

[Bird]

Originally Posted by Egon

Steamed Broccali drizzled with garlic flavored olive oil, absolute heaven.

Or cheese sauce added after steaming, or raw in salads, or raw with a vegetable dip. We like the stuff just about any way.