Cure for leg cramps

fishman · Aug 21, 2006

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 · Aug 21, 2006

BillyP said:
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 · Aug 22, 2006

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 · Aug 22, 2006

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 · Aug 22, 2006

mudcat said:
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 · Aug 22, 2006

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

Soundguy

themichelob · Aug 22, 2006

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 · Aug 22, 2006

themichelob said:
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 · Aug 22, 2006

Soundguy said:
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 · Aug 23, 2006

3RRL said:
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.