Cramp

Until I was in my thirties, I played rugby and always had cramp problems which were solved by taking a salt tablet before each game.  Nowadays, in my late sixties, I sometimes get cramp, in my legs, whilst sailing and from a health point of view, I was told that at my age (and weight) it is probably a bad idea to take salt tablets for fear of potential heart problems.

I did some research, and took some advice, and I found that Quinine Sulphate tablets (200mg) really help to solve my cramp problem.  I found that I could not buy them from the chemist but had to get my doctor to prescribe them.  I take one every morning and, if I have had a hard day's sailing, I take another tablet before going to bed.

Part of my cramp problem was because of my doctor's 'preventive medicine' policy when he advised me to take Statins.  I did what I was told and took Simvastatin, which he prescribed, with horrendous consequences such as severe cramp, muscle and joint problems, tiredness, etc.  I even got cramp in my back, whilst in bed.  After six weeks of hell (around four years ago), I took myself off it. The problem was that although many of the side effects disappeared, the cramp problems continued, hence the Quinine.  

I hope that this helps.

Ian  (Yorkshire Dales S.C.)

Cramp and hydration concern me as well.  Did two races yesterday after light training all week, fairly breezy, but no cramp.   I weighed myself before and after race and lost 3lbs 12-5 to 12-2.  The day after I had bran for breakfast and then had a black-out and was hospitalised.  Nothing major was found wrong with me. The most plausible reason seems to have been that after the dehydration of the race the bran soaked up the remaining liquid in my gut and my fluids became dangerously low. l am a senior like a lot more guys I race with.   Obviously if I want to continue to race I must learn a lot more about rehydration,---just drinking water does not seem to be the answer. 

djdhi