Forgotten Prep - Tonic Water

[Purdy Bear]

I've been having severe cramps in my lower legs and feet at night, so I spoke to the Dr today. The remedy was Quinine and thus Tonic Water. Obviously if the water doesn't work then more tests will follow, but it is suspected that the cramps are caused by a Potassium or Sodium deficiency.

I wonder how many of us have Tonic Water in the house, we didn't but we will from now on. I quite like the taste on its own, but I'm sure there will be some out there that will want to get in Gin/Vodka as well

[Old dude]

The gin's important -- apparently the G&T was invented as a way to get colonists in India to drink the (anti-malarial) tonic water.

Off to the liquor store -- thanks for the tip!


edited to add: I'm sure you know this, but sodium and/or potassium deficiency is pretty easy to fix dietarily.

[grandma]

DH has also been told to drink tonic water due to leg cramps.

[wheel]

Use the tonic to wash down dried banana chips for potassium post SHTF.

[LIBERTYCHICKEN]

I also use tonic for cramps

but I stock quinine , The shelf life is a hell of a lot longer , and when bought in bulk it's cheaper - alltho it's a pain to get in the states

[Purdy Bear]

As the others have said, potassium is in bananas and isn't sodium salt.

[PNW*RN]

BP meds can cause loss of potassium, if that is what is causing your leg cramps. Will be adding G&T to my storage! Thanks for the info.

[Single_and_Available]

FYI: There's a bunch of quinine products on Amazon. Use the search term "cinchona bark".

[Jerry D Young]

I keep tonic water for the same reason. It really does help leg cramps.

[HandLoad]

My Dr recently took me off of Quinine Pills - seems there is a very small window between Too Little, and Too Much, and folks were getting in trouble with their Health...

The replacement, Potassium Pills are not nearly as good at stopping the cramps.. On Quinine, I had No Cramps, but on Potassium, I have frequent Cramps. FOOEY!

[Rutger]

Tonic Water has one of the highest sugar contents of the carbonated beverages. This is to offset the extreme bitterness of the quinine. I would sooner prep with potassium supplements than suck down all that sugar.

[Kludo]

The FDA warns against using quinine for leg cramps


http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul...ramps-20100708

[BigJim]

Bananas, potato skins and dried fruit like apricots and papaya are good for potassium.

[NVRDONE]

I eat a banana every morning in my oatmeal. And 90% of what I drink is plain water.

That being said, my quick remedy for dehydration, eat a banana with some salt on it and drink a liter of water. I keep a banana in my outdoors pack while doing what ever (hunting, fishing, camping, hiking) and my mess kit has salt in it. I will admit though I do have some electrolyte packs as well, but a banana is cheaper than those, and I like really ripe bananas so I usually get them in the reduced produce bin for something like $0.35/pound.

[bayez]

I like bananas practically brown, myself,but some like em green...Down CR-Pan I like the h-ll outta the little red ones...Quinine works for leg problems for me too,but too much makes my ears ring really bad...and I don't care what the "fda" says...

[ignis fatuus]

Yes QUININE and even Bananas work for this..Vodka can kill any pain if you drink enough . And taking Tonic or a bananas or a moderate drink wont hurt you, But be careful with those supplements. Especially if you have any known heart issue, blood pressure issues while required for health too much can be as bad as too little.
If you already take a doctor recommended med with potassium, it may be a good idea to check first. ( that included Blood pressure meds)

Leg pain is usually one of to things restless leg syndrome, (jumpy rubber legs) or it is peripheral arteries disease (PAD) (blocked artery, burning, stabbing pains) Activity makes PAD worse. Potassium salts along with Manganese, Sodium all electrolytes.
RLS can be occasional or chronic, they reason for it cause are still out and range from brain chemical imbalances & kidney issues to herditary.

[tkdguy]

Several grams of Vitaman C daily. Try it, it may work. It may work quickly. Remember "Scurvy".

[RPh]

There's not a lot of quinine in tonic water. However, if you are drinking a lot of it, you should be aware that it has a ton of serious drug interactions.

[Prudence]

Originally Posted by tkdguy

Several grams of Vitaman C daily. Try it, it may work. It may work quickly. Remember "Scurvy".

+1 on the additional Vitamin C -- but I would advise folks to ramp up the dose gradually. A huge sudden dose of Vitamin C "works" really well on the human digestive tract!

[Kay]

Sweet potatoes are loaded with potassium, too.