A Leg Cramp Treatment???



P

Peanutjake

Guest
I was talking to a friend who is an athletic coach. I told
him about the leg cramps I get at night. He said that when a
athlete sweats a lot he can suffer from leg cramps because
of an electrolyte imbalance.. To avoid this the athlete
drinks a Sport Drink like Gatorade.

Well as a diabetic, I urinate a lot and, I presume, lose a
lot of electrolytes. I told him that Gatorade has too many
carbs for me. He said that I probably could find a carb free
substitute at a health food store.

Well, before I go shopping and spend my money I thought that
I would ask here if there was any scientific evidence that
would help.

I am not looking for opinions, but I am looking for proof.

PJ
 
Peanutjake wrote:

> I was talking to a friend who is an athletic coach. I told
> him about the leg cramps I get at night. He said that when
> a athlete sweats a lot he can suffer from leg cramps
> because of an electrolyte imbalance.. To avoid this the
> athlete drinks a Sport Drink like Gatorade.
>
> Well as a diabetic, I urinate a lot and, I presume, lose a
> lot of electrolytes. I told him that Gatorade has too many
> carbs for me. He said that I probably could find a carb
> free substitute at a health food store.
>
> Well, before I go shopping and spend my money I thought
> that I would ask here if there was any scientific evidence
> that would help.
>
> I am not looking for opinions, but I am looking for proof.

Yeah, electrolytes prevent cramps, especially Potassium.

But bananas are cheaper than Gatorade and the container is
biodegradable.
 
Peanut...

I'm more concerned that you urinate a lot.

If you're a controlled diabetic, you shouldn't urinate any
more than anyone else. Excess urination is the bodies way of
ridding itself of excess gluocose. How are your numbers?

If they're good, and you're still urinating a lot, you may
want to talk to your doctor about other reasons. Prostate?

Jennifer

Peanutjake wrote:
> I was talking to a friend who is an athletic coach. I told
> him about the leg cramps I get at night. He said that when
> a athlete sweats a lot he can suffer from leg cramps
> because of an electrolyte imbalance.. To avoid this the
> athlete drinks a Sport Drink like Gatorade.
>
> Well as a diabetic, I urinate a lot and, I presume, lose a
> lot of electrolytes. I told him that Gatorade has too many
> carbs for me. He said that I probably could find a carb
> free substitute at a health food store.
>
> Well, before I go shopping and spend my money I thought
> that I would ask here if there was any scientific evidence
> that would help.
>
> I am not looking for opinions, but I am looking for proof.
>
> PJ
 
"Peanutjake" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I was talking to a friend who is an athletic coach. I told
> him about the leg cramps I get at night. He said that when
> a athlete sweats a lot he can suffer from leg cramps
because of an electrolyte
> imbalance.. To avoid this the athlete drinks a Sport Drink
> like Gatorade.
>
> Well as a diabetic, I urinate a lot and, I presume, lose
> a lot of
electrolytes. I told him that
> Gatorade has too many carbs for me. He said that I
> probably could find a carb free substitute at a
> health food
store.
>
> Well, before I go shopping and spend my money I thought
> that I would ask
here if there was any
> scientific evidence that would help.
>
> I am not looking for opinions, but I am looking for proof.

Gatorade is basically salt, potassium, water, and juice or
other sweetener (carbs). Past searches have turned up plenty
of sugar free sports drink recipes, but I couldn't find any
just now. I did see that Atkins now has a very expensive,
sugar free sports drink. I'm not recommending it, mind you.
And there is one sugar free brand (can't remember the name)
that is available locally, here in NY only.

What is of more concern to me is the reason for the cramps.
Don't just assume that it's an electrolyte imbalance. It
could be. And if it is, this is something your Dr. should
address. If you are low on potassium, you may well be low on
magnesium also. These are not things you should self treat.

Neuropathy can cause cramps, especially at night. Diabetics
are prone to getting Neuropathy. I have it. My legs cramp
badly when it is acting up. And it usually acts up when my
BG is high. How is your BG?

--
Type 2 http://users.bestweb.net/~jbove/
 
I have been taking a magnesium capsule or tablet for some
time for night cramps. Available at supermarket
vitamin/supplement type shelves. They work immediately.

"Peanutjake" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]
berlin.de...
> I was talking to a friend who is an athletic coach. I told
> him about the leg cramps I get at night. He said that when
> a athlete sweats a lot he can suffer from leg cramps
because of an electrolyte
> imbalance.. To avoid this the athlete drinks a Sport Drink
> like Gatorade.
>
> Well as a diabetic, I urinate a lot and, I presume, lose
> a lot of
electrolytes. I told him that
> Gatorade has too many carbs for me. He said that I
> probably could find a carb free substitute at a
> health food
store.
>
> Well, before I go shopping and spend my money I thought
> that I would ask
here if there was any
> scientific evidence that would help.
>
> I am not looking for opinions, but I am looking for proof.
>
> PJ
 
cc'd by email WHY ARN"T YOU TAKING YOUR MEDS ? !!!

You are clearly out of control, and dehydrating.

Also, a sport drink makes it WORSE for diabetics

Eat bananas today (for potassium), and IMMEDIATLY get your
BG under control, or you will see a lot worse then leg
cramps soon.

When your BG is under control, your leg cramps, frequent
urination, dry mouth, etc. will all go away.

Without control, your kidneys will fail, OR, if you are
lucky, you will merely lose your arms and legs.
Peanutjake wrote:

> I was talking to a friend who is an athletic coach. I told
> him about the leg cramps I get at night. He said that when
> a athlete sweats a lot he can suffer from leg cramps
> because of an electrolyte imbalance.. To avoid this the
> athlete drinks a Sport Drink like Gatorade.
>
> Well as a diabetic, I urinate a lot and, I presume, lose a
> lot of electrolytes. I told him that Gatorade has too many
> carbs for me. He said that I probably could find a carb
> free substitute at a health food store.
>
> Well, before I go shopping and spend my money I thought
> that I would ask here if there was any scientific evidence
> that would help.
>
> I am not looking for opinions, but I am looking for proof.
>
> PJ
 
OK Bananas have l bunch of availible Potassium, but as
everyone here should know, they also contain a good dose of
carbohydrates. What other foods have a high potassium
concentration, but now carbs?? I have heard that "TVP"
contains a lot. TVP is Textured Vegetable Protien made from
Soya (usually). I am not sure if it is naturally occuring or
added. What are some others?

--Jeremy

mike gray wrote:
> Peanutjake wrote:
>
>> I was talking to a friend who is an athletic coach. I
>> told him about the leg cramps I get at night. He said
>> that when a athlete sweats a lot he can suffer from leg
>> cramps because of an electrolyte imbalance.. To avoid
>> this the athlete drinks a Sport Drink like Gatorade.
>>
>> Well as a diabetic, I urinate a lot and, I presume, lose
>> a lot of electrolytes. I told him that Gatorade has too
>> many carbs for me. He said that I probably could find a
>> carb free substitute at a health food store.
>>
>> Well, before I go shopping and spend my money I thought
>> that I would ask here if there was any scientific
>> evidence that would help.
>>
>> I am not looking for opinions, but I am looking for
>> proof.
>
>
> Yeah, electrolytes prevent cramps, especially Potassium.
>
> But bananas are cheaper than Gatorade and the container is
> biodegradable.
 
On Mon, 08 Mar 2004 21:36:27 GMT, mike gray <[email protected]> wrote:

>Yeah, electrolytes prevent cramps, especially Potassium.
>
>But bananas are cheaper than Gatorade and the container is
>biodegradable.

And will give me very high BGs.

I use Quinine Bisulphate, but you need to be aware of
the possible nasty side effects, so I only use it when
cramp occurs.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
--
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
 
In article <[email protected]>,
"Julie Bove" <[email protected]> wrote:

> "Peanutjake" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]
> berlin.de...
> > I was talking to a friend who is an athletic coach. I
> > told him about the leg cramps I get at night. He said
> > that when a athlete sweats a lot he can suffer from leg
> > cramps
> because of an electrolyte
> > imbalance.. To avoid this the athlete drinks a Sport
> > Drink like Gatorade.
> >
> > Well as a diabetic, I urinate a lot and, I presume, lose
> > a lot of
> electrolytes. I told him that
> > Gatorade has too many carbs for me. He said that I
> > probably could find a carb free substitute at a
> > health food
> store.
> >
> > Well, before I go shopping and spend my money I thought
> > that I would ask
> here if there was any
> > scientific evidence that would help.
> >
> > I am not looking for opinions, but I am looking for
> > proof.
>
> Gatorade is basically salt, potassium, water, and juice
> or other sweetener (carbs). Past searches have turned up
> plenty of sugar free sports drink recipes, but I
> couldn't find any just now. I did see that Atkins now
> has a very expensive, sugar free sports drink. I'm not
> recommending it, mind you. And there is one sugar free
> brand (can't remember the name) that is available
> locally, here in NY only.

At one point, somebody posted to alt.support.diet.low-carb a
"recipe" for a sugar-free equivalent of Gatorade. It
involved water, salt, potassium, Splenda, and some kind of
fruit flavoring. Here's one recipe:
<[email protected]>

Some other posters recommended adding 1/4 tsp of Morton Lite
(replacement salt that has potassium in it) to a glass of
Crystal Light or sugar-free Koolaid.

--
AF "Non Sequitur U has a really, really lousy debate team."
--artyw raises the bar on rec.sport.baseball
 
I usually get something called "Slo-Mag" from Wally World
when my legs act up - only cramp when I hit the rack for
the evening.

On Mon, 08 Mar 2004 19:30:51 -0500, Alice Faber
<[email protected]> wrote:

> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Julie Bove" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> "Peanutjake" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]
>> berlin.de...
>> > I was talking to a friend who is an athletic coach. I
>> > told him about the leg cramps I get at night. He said
>> > that when a athlete sweats a lot he can suffer from leg
>> > cramps
>> because of an electrolyte
>> > imbalance.. To avoid this the athlete drinks a Sport
>> > Drink like Gatorade.
>> >
>> > Well as a diabetic, I urinate a lot and, I presume,
>> > lose a lot of
>> electrolytes. I told him that
>> > Gatorade has too many carbs for me. He said that I
>> > probably could find a carb free substitute at a
>> > health food
>> store.
>> >
>> > Well, before I go shopping and spend my money I thought
>> > that I would ask
>> here if there was any
>> > scientific evidence that would help.
>> >
>> > I am not looking for opinions, but I am looking for
>> > proof.
>>
>> Gatorade is basically salt, potassium, water, and juice
>> or other sweetener (carbs). Past searches have turned up
>> plenty of sugar free sports drink recipes, but I
>> couldn't find any just now. I did see that Atkins now
>> has a very expensive, sugar free sports drink. I'm not
>> recommending it, mind you. And there is one sugar free
>> brand (can't remember the name) that is available
>> locally, here in NY only.
>
>At one point, somebody posted to alt.support.diet.low-carb
>a "recipe" for a sugar-free equivalent of Gatorade. It
>involved water, salt, potassium, Splenda, and some kind of
>fruit flavoring. Here's one recipe:
><[email protected]>
>
>Some other posters recommended adding 1/4 tsp of Morton
>Lite (replacement salt that has potassium in it) to a glass
>of Crystal Light or sugar-free Koolaid.

Use the usual techniques to reply via email.

Molon Labe!
 
"Peanutjake" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I was talking to a friend who is an athletic coach. I told
> him about the leg cramps I get at night. He said that when
> a athlete sweats a lot he can suffer from leg cramps
because of an electrolyte
> imbalance.. To avoid this the athlete drinks a Sport Drink
> like Gatorade.
>
> Well as a diabetic, I urinate a lot and, I presume, lose
> a lot of
electrolytes. I told him that
> Gatorade has too many carbs for me. He said that I
> probably could find a carb free substitute at a
> health food
store.
>
> Well, before I go shopping and spend my money I thought
> that I would ask
here if there was any
> scientific evidence that would help.
>
> I am not looking for opinions, but I am looking for proof.

Well you're looking in the wrong place Peanut. This is a
newsgroup not a science lab. Having said that, I cured leg
cramps instantly. A lick of salt.

Beav
 
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I know you are going to look at me like I have 3 heads, but
here goes .. sugarfree tonic water with quinine in it. I kid
you not ! My mom's
dr. had her doing this when she had this trouble and it does
seem to work. You can drink regular tonic water, also,
if you can handle the carb ... Rainbow
 
CPM. for me ... calcium, potassium, magnesium. I see
someone posted a list of foods, that all work for me. And I
take an OTC CPM supplement. My mom does, too, but also the
quinine water that her dr. said to. Alternately, he
suggested white raisins. ( NOT dark ones ) soaked in gin.
He aid his running partner used this. He told her to soak
them in gin and keep them in the fridge and eat about 10
before bed ... Oh boy, I hope I don't start a stampede to
the liquor cabinet and the fridge ! LOL ! I also have an
herbal hot pack I use. I heat in the microwave and apply it
before bed. It is a fabric pillow type thing, filled with
herbal material. It helps. Rainbow
 
On Tue, 9 Mar 2004 19:54:32 -0000, "Beav"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>"Peanutjake" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]
>berlin.de...
>> I was talking to a friend who is an athletic coach. I
>> told him about the leg cramps I get at night. He said
>> that when a athlete sweats a lot he can suffer from
>> leg cramps
>because of an electrolyte
>> imbalance.. To avoid this the athlete drinks a Sport
>> Drink like Gatorade.

>> Well as a diabetic, I urinate a lot and, I presume, lose
>> a lot of
>electrolytes. I told him that
>> Gatorade has too many carbs for me. He said that I
>> probably could find a carb free substitute at a
>> health food
>store.

>> Well, before I go shopping and spend my money I thought
>> that I would ask
>here if there was any
>> scientific evidence that would help.

>> I am not looking for opinions, but I am looking for
>> proof.
>Well you're looking in the wrong place Peanut. This is a
>newsgroup not a science lab. Having said that, I cured leg
>cramps instantly. A lick of salt. Beav

Quinine will reduce leg cramps. not sure on diabetic
implications though.

Pete
 
"Jennifer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Peanut...
>
> I'm more concerned that you urinate a lot.
>
> If you're a controlled diabetic, you shouldn't urinate any
> more than anyone else. Excess urination is the bodies way
> of ridding itself of excess glucose. How are your numbers?
>
> If they're good, and you're still urinating a lot, you may
> want to talk to your doctor about other reasons. Prostate?
>
> Jennifer

Thanks Jennifer. Because of a heart attack with heart damage
some 5 years ago the doctor has me on 2 diaretics. Demadex
and Spirolactone, in order to prevent fluid buildup in the
lungs and heart sack. That makes for a lot of urination. I
also am on a potassium pill. But still have leg cramps.

hba1c=6.3

PJ
 
On Tue, 9 Mar 2004 20:28:10 +0800, "Fred" <G@J> wrote:

>I have been taking a magnesium capsule or tablet for some
>time for night cramps. Available at supermarket
>vitamin/supplement type shelves. They work immediately.

Hi Fred

Do you have a brand or type name and dosage/concentration
level. I did try magnesium before, without success, but it
was an OTC product and dosage may be related to
effectiveness. I'f be happy to find an alternative to
QuinBisul because of side-effects fear.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
--
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
 
On Tue, 9 Mar 2004 22:34:55 -0800 (PST), [email protected]
(rainbow) wrote:

>I know you are going to look at me like I have 3 heads, but
>here goes .. sugarfree tonic water with quinine in it. I
>kid you not ! My mom's
>dr. had her doing this when she had this trouble and it
> does seem to work. You can drink regular tonic water,
> also, if you can handle the carb ... Rainbow

Why would we do that? Tonic water with quinine is my
standard when I'm out and haven't got my tabs.

But it's usually a fairly low concentration.

Cheers Alan, T2, Australia. dx May 2002 , A1C 8.2=>5.9, wt
117kg=>90kg, No diabetes meds.Diet and not enough exercise.
I have no medical qualifications beyond my own experience.
Choose your advisers carefully, because experience can be an
expensive teacher.
--
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
 
On Tue, 9 Mar 2004 22:49:01 -0800 (PST), [email protected]
(rainbow) wrote:

>CPM. for me ... calcium, potassium, magnesium. I see
>someone posted a list of foods, that all work for me. And I
>take an OTC CPM supplement. My mom does, too, but also the
>quinine water that her dr. said to. Alternately, he
>suggested white raisins. ( NOT dark ones ) soaked in gin.
>He aid his running partner used this. He told her to soak
>them in gin and keep them in the fridge and eat about 10
>before bed ... Oh boy, I hope I don't start a stampede to
>the liquor cabinet and the fridge ! LOL ! I also have an
>herbal hot pack I use. I heat in the microwave and apply it
>before bed. It is a fabric pillow type thing, filled with
>herbal material. It helps. Rainbow

Gin-soaked raisins? Might not cure the cramp, but if ate
enough of them, I probably wouldn't care, at least until the
hangover in the morning ;-)

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
--
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
 
On Tue, 9 Mar 2004 22:34:55 -0800 (PST),
[email protected] (rainbow) wrote:

>I know you are going to look at me like I have 3 heads, but
>here goes .. sugarfree tonic water with quinine in it. I
>kid you not ! My mom's
>dr. had her doing this when she had this trouble and it
> does seem to work. You can drink regular tonic water,
> also, if you can handle the carb ... Rainbow

When addicted to Tramadol [Very bad experience] I suffered
severe leg cramps occasionaly and an almost constant nagging
which would develop into a massive cramp. Often going from
the back of my knees up my back. [Or that's what it felt
like]. I was prescribed tablets with quinine in them 1 x 30
mg daily IIRC. within a few days the problem subsided to
tollerable levels and disappeared altogether in two weeks.

Pete
 
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