Forum Topic

Cure for leg cramp?

Does anyone have a simple reliable cure for leg cramps please? I've asked my GP and read much about cramp, but haven't found a reliable cure. There surely must be a cure. I don't get it often but when I do its not pleasant.

Gerry Tan ● 4614d11 Comments

It was just enough for me.  Definitely don't want too much quinine for various reasons.

Charles Campbell ● 4611d

Not enough quinine in tonic water and the tablets are prescription only.

Graham Weeks ● 4611d

If you don't like bananas, there is also a lot of potassium in tomatoes.An easy way of stretching your calves is to partly stand on a step and then push your weight down into your (overhanging) heels, and hold this for a minute or two.

D Fox ● 4612d

Penny was right.  My GP prescribed tonic water with quinine for my cramps. Works every time for me and generally stay cramp free foray months.

Charles Campbell ● 4613d

Thanks Chris and you other kind guys(and lassies!) for your remedies.  I eat bananas and exercise but I've never tried that brand of cherry drink. Will give them all a try - thanks again.

Gerry Tan ● 4614d

My former Mauritian neighbour, and elderly but very active Frenchman, suffered that and took to eating plenty of bananas, which he reckoned stopped it - it's the potassium in them, allegedly - can't vouch, not my subject, but if it works........ give it a try eh?

Chris Veasey ● 4614d

A good pal of mine has been pole axed with gout and cramp over the last few years even though he is quite young.He was faced with taking pills for ages, if not forever which he was rather unhappy about.He was then suggested to to try Cherry juice. Cutting out all other fruit juices's as even the no sugar added versions contain a high degree of fruit sugar and some healthy juices contain the oxylates and acids that encourage kidney stones and uric acid.It has to be a certain kind of Cherry Juice with a variety of Cherry called a Montmorencey Cherry.He switched to that and has not had an attack since. The Gout, Cramp and kidney stones have all abated.The Product is Cherry Good and it is no more expensive than other fruit juices and amazingly, Morrisons sell it.  Currently on special for £1.The other quick cure is to lay flat and stretch your foot and toes towards you.From your ankle.  You will feel it pull on the calf but in the opposite direction to the cramp spasm. You can avert it if you are quick or do that when you wake up or go to bed.

Oliver Gregan ● 4614d

More tonic with the gin Gerry - it contains quinine which is said to help. Also, make sure your legs are warm during the night. I used to get cramp when I lived in a very cold bedsit and keeping my calves under wraps at night seemed to help.

Penny Crocker ● 4614d

I used to suffer a lot with this. When I got it, the solution was always to stand and put plenty of weight on the effected leg, the pain and symptoms disappeared after about 30 seconds. At night I try to sleep with both legs dead straight so to try and not wake up with leg cramp in the middle of the night.

Leslie Bailey ● 4614d

I haven't tried more water. I drink plenty of it already, but I'll increase my daily intake and see if it helps. Thanks Bud.

Gerry Tan ● 4614d

Drink plenty of water. At least 1.5L per day. I had an issue with it and when up upped my water intake, it went away

Bud Richards ● 4614d