Severe muscle cramps

I eas just tested + for hep c.. I have been having teribble cramps in legs and also other areas, such as across ribs, back and abdomin (abdomen), are these related???? sometimes my muscle spasms incapacitate me.... I amost went to the e.r. one day.. but they come and go...

[nygirl7]

It is actually very common for us to have them (at least the leg ones I know first hand about).

I went to a specialist and believe it or not he told me every night to drink a glass of tonic water - yup silly old tonic water.  It contains quinine (spelling?).  Well...since I've been doing that my legs are 99.9% Charlie horse free.  It's like a miracle. Believe me I remember the nights (mostly I got them at night) trying everything to get rid of them. Once I tore the muscle badly because I tried to stretch it out to fast by forcing myself to step on it too fast. Other times I almost got burns trying to use hot water to loosen those cramps.

The tonic water is like a miracle.  Try it!

And it's cheap.  They also make diet version which is fine if it matters to you (I don't drink soda and was like gah no but found the zero cal was just as good!).

[tashka]

Yes, it is common to have cramps when you have hepatitis C. My husband had a lot lately, but we were successful in stopping them. Cramps usually happen at night and are very painful.

We put a piece of soap under the sheets-and believe it or not, it helped. Just make sure it doesn't slide down from there and stays where your legs are.

Another thing that really made a difference was taking magnesium supplement-one tablet before going to bed.

Nygirl, I never heard about tonic water for cramps, but it sounds very interesting. We will try this if cramps return. So far, no cramps and peaceful nights. Our doctor just said "Hmm" when I mentioned cramps, so I had to take matters in my own hands and find a solution.

[wendyanne51]

one night i was reaching to hang a picture on the wall and i got a cramp in my let so bad i had to lay down and cry. i never even thought it would have anything to do with hep c

[SonniQ]

Hi there - my Dr told me to drink tonic water for the same reason.  I never liked it much but when I put a little juice with it, it flavors it enough to be okay.  Now I kind of like it.  It is also inexpensive.  The feet and leg cramps can hurt so bad so I was willing to try anything.  I don't know if the cramps are potassium related, but adding more of it - an extra banana or raisons didn't seem to help much.

Take care - Sonni