I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions) => Topic started by: LightLizard on January 12, 2008, 12:13:30 PM
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recently, i had a few days (and nights) of severe cramping in my legs.
i'm sure many of you know that one...
yesterday, i called the P/D clinic to see if they could offer a solution.
the nurse gave me some instructions about adjusting my dialysate and
also informed me that if the cramping didn't stop in a few days, they would suggest i was prescribed quinine. she off-handedly mentioned that quinine could also be found in tinic water(!)
i did some research and found that quinine is used to flavour tonic water, and it became very popular in the last century or so, in India, where it is quite effective in the prevention of malaria.
well, i had my wife pick up a bottle and lo and behold, my first night in a long time of good, solid sleep. no cramping at all!
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I believe in 2006 the FDA (US) pulled quinine from being used for leg cramps due to the small window between effectiveness and toxicity.
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I believe in 2006 the FDA (US) pulled quinine from being used for leg cramps due to the small window between effectiveness and toxicity.
its still being added here in canada, and it works for me, although i wouldn't drink it on a regular basis. omit the gin to lessen toxicity.
;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonic_water
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Thanks for reminding me about the tonic water. I haven't had any for quite a while, and it used to be my soda of choice. I have been having little cramps at home. I must get some.
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tonic water is great stuff, for some odd reason the quinine makes it glow under UV light
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I use Hyland's Leg Cramps W/Quinine tablets and Hyland's Leg Cramps Ointment, available at The Vitamin Shoppe. You can buy it through their website too. They've worked for me. Especially the ointment. :thumbup;
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Quick Question, what does Tonic Water taste like? is that the one that tastes like alka seltzer? ::)
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It's kind of citrusy, but very sour. I like citrus, but I don't like the taste. That's why I went looking for tablets, etc.
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a little sour, but kinda bitter and sweet at the same time
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My doctor prescribed quinine tablets for me just about six months ago, because even when I was using 1.5% PD solution and my potassium was fine, I was still cramping. Worked great. I have heard from many people about the tonic water. Also, a tablespoon full or so of cider vinegar is supposed to work.
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I loved the taste of tonic water, even before dialysis. It is a similar taste to bitter lemon, but with much less citrus (if you know bitter lemon). One of my daughter's girlfriends always has lots of it in her fridge. She says that she developed the taste for it when she realized that other people in her family did not like it, and so would leave her sodas alone (she is from a large family).
Had a terrible cramp today - left shin area. They stopped taking off fluid and now I am starting a weekend 0.4k over! Horrid!