Cramp

Hi Nick M,
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.)

Edited by iansmithofotley - 17 Sep 12 at 10:48am

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iansmithofotley Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Otley, West Yorkshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 209	Post Options Post Reply Quote iansmithofotley Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Cramp Posted: 17 Sep 12 at 10:27am
	Hi Nick M, 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.) Edited by iansmithofotley - 17 Sep 12 at 10:48am

G.R.F. Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028	Post Options Post Reply Quote G.R.F. Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Sep 12 at 9:25am
	I suffer from cramp, not necessarily something I view as age related since its been going on for thirty five years now on and off, never have got to the bottom of why, although I do tend not to drink much which could explain it, time was they recommended salt tablets. I used to use something called dynamo which was a concentrated lucozade style drink in the seventies when engaged in really high stress sports like water ski racing, but have never thought to use it for windsurfing or sailing as I'd never really viewed them as that high impact maybe I should have.. But then I tend to suffer more these days waking up in the middle of the night with calf or foot cramp especially after a day when exercise has been quite vigorous but it is so random, months can go by with nothing then you get a period where it happens a lot, I don't think anyone has really come up with a definitive reason for it.. Not that I've spotted anyway.
	https://www.ease-distribution.com/

Telltale Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 03 May 12 Location: Cardiff Online Status: Offline Posts: 169	Post Options Post Reply Quote Telltale Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Sep 12 at 12:12am
	Try this as a recipe for isotonic drink, used to get cramp in my hands, probably age related, so I take a bottle of this, together with a banana (high in potassium). Seems to work. 50-70g sugar One litre of warm water Pinch of salt 200ml of sugar free squash Mix, cool and drink

NickM Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 May 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 328	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickM Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 12 at 10:49pm
	Frustrating afternoon: cramped up in the afternoon race after moderately dynamic morning races in a F4 - not for the first time either. Lots of stuff on the web suggests this is to old age and muscle fatigue due to lack of conditioning (guilty as charged;) dehydration (probably that coffe at lunch did not help;) and lack of potassium/magnesium/calcium/sodium (but they say too much salt is bad for you....) Has anybody suffered from cramp and found a favourite energy bar/gel/drink that can help sort out cramping quickly?