Hand and foot cramping

[aquarius121]

I am at wk 3 on 2nd round of tx and starting to get cramping in my feet and hands. I am a hair stylist and own a Salon and Spa. I work behind the chair 5 days a wk. 10-12 hours a day. I had cramping last tx and took quanine tabs that they dont make anymore they were some what helpful. I get cramping in the feet and legs at night which has me out of bed walking around in a fog till they reside my hands are more during work this is bigger problem. Any help would be great.

[YuK]

Try drinking lots of fluids and eat banana's.  May want to speak with your dr. about taking OTC potassium when you actually have the cramping.  Works in 20 min.

[annieCinMD]

nygirl swears by drinking tonic (quinine) water, lots of it. I've only had it happen once since starting tx, and I tried it, but since my episodes are sporadic at best, I am not the best judge of it's effectiveness. Certainly worth a try, cheaper than potassium supplement, which I have used in the past. I'm not a big banana person.

[Rockerforlife]

I say stay of your feet...10-12 hours of work a day while on TX is brutal

[YuK]

I've lived with major muscle cramps for years.  My problem was/is lack of potassium.  But too much potassium is not good either so I only take it when I have the cramps not as a daily supplement.  I eat 1/2 banana most mornings (with my protein drink).  Another small comfort is to try to keep your hands and feet warm.  When your hands cramp put them in warm water up to your wrists, and concentrate on relaxing.

[LindaC1207]

You are not alone regarding leg cramps, I've been getting them a lot these past 4-5 months.  I too wake up at night and have to jump out of bed and walk around until the cramps are gone.  Then I go back to bed, fall asleep and wake up a half hour later with cramps in a totally different area, I hate it!  I eat banannas every day and try to drink lots of water and also gatorade for electrolites, but still get them.

Hang in there, it's another one of those nasty sides that some of us on treatment have to deal with.

Good luck!
Linda