Cure for leg cramps

[fishman]

I used to get leg cramps pretty bad and I noticed a pattern. They usually happened after working a long time outside. After getting a real job and making some money I started drinking Gatorade to prevent dehydration and they went away. Haven't had one in years.

I am a definite proponent of gatorade or any other supplemental drink. I like powdered gatorade in the big canisters from Wal-mart. I generally mix at 2/3 strength and that works great.

 

[3RRL]

Quinine tablets and plenty of fluids seems to work best for me. I've tried the banana a day things with no luck.

I used to play golf with a retired Colonel and I told him I got cramps in my hamstrings real bad. He said he had the same thing after playing and told me to get a prescription for Quinine.
It worked wonders.
I still drink a lot of coffee, but now, after a long day at the property and I start to cramp up, I take the Quinine and within 2 or 3 minutes the bad cramps go completely away....amazing. I don't like to take them as preventative medicine, but rather only when I get those bad cramps. I also found that drinking Gator Aid helps in preventing getting them in the first place to a degree, vs just drinking coffee all day long.

 

[Soundguy]

I love coffee.. my only problem is If I have a coffee.. I like to have something to dunk in it.. like a cookie / cracker / donut... and that leads to 'spare tires' around the mid section..

Soundguy

 

[dmccarty]

Carld,

Are the cramps happening after working hard? That is when I get 'em IF I don't drink enough water AND replace the potassium and salts I sweated. A sports drink, either bought or homemade will prevent these type of cramps. As will the banana that has been mentioned. I once was working outside in the hot sun standing on pavement for hours. I had been drinking lots of water but after awhile I had not energy and was starting to get light headed. I ate a banana and it was like someone had flicked a switch and I was good to go.... Lesson learned on my part.

Later,
Dan

 

[turnkey4099]

Think I read somewhere that the old saying should be changed to "A banana a day keeps te doctor away".

I can see that happening. My wife has that problem and eats bananas...gives her gas...lots of gas. Certainly keeps me away.

Harry K

 

[Soundguy]

If he's typing funny tomorrow.. we'll know his wife saw this message.

Soundguy

 

[themichelob]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the "bar of soap in the bed sheets" cure for leg cramps. Supposed to work and certainly is cheap and easy.
Regards, Mike

 

[3RRL]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the "bar of soap in the bed sheets" cure for leg cramps. Supposed to work and certainly is cheap and easy.
Regards, Mike

You know I heard of that but have never tried it myself. Has anybody here tried?

 

[JerryG]

If he's typing funny tomorrow.. we'll know his wife saw this message.

Soundguy

I haven't noticed him posting today, maybe she did more than give him a bad face.

 

[dancer]

You know I heard of that but have never tried it myself. Has anybody here tried?

I didn't know the soap bar treatment was supposed to be effective for cramps. I first heard of it (at least one source was the "Dr. Gott" syndicated medical column in newspapers) as a remedy for Restless Leg Syndrome, tried it for that, and as far as I can tell it works. Seems to help my 15-year-old stepdaughter and my 86-year-old aunt too.

I seldom have a problem with cramps -- partly because I pay attention to electrolyte restoration when I'm sweating, but mostly, I think, because I always use "Lite Salt" instead of regular table salt. It's a 50/50 mixture of potassium chloride and sodium chloride, so I start off a little more "balanced" in the first place.