Tonic Water for Night time Leg Cramps?

[andyhawaii123]

With End Stage Liver Disease resulting from Alcoholic Cirrhosis, Alcoholic Hepatitis, H.E. TIPS placement and Chronic Anemia caused by several Massive Bleeds, I always  have a slue of resulting symptoms that just never seem to cut me a break.  Two that are not life threatening, but extremely uncomfortable. They are severe leg cramping when I get in bed, and when the cramps aren't killing me....AND the Night time itching starts...from head to toe, often scratching till I bleed (Which of course bleeds forever)  I drink a Vitamin C with electrolytes  fizzy packet drink, and started taking it at night in hopes the increased bed time electrolytes would help with cramping...no such luck.  Now I've heard about drinking Tonic Water before bed.  The nurse at my Liver Docs office mentioned it and then the next day I saw it in an unrelated post. Anyone have luck with Quinine Water?  Would love to hear from you.  I don't think there's anything I can do about the itching...Doc said its from not processing bile back into the liver from digestive track so it swims around in my blood and when it hits the surface it itches.  Tried 75 mg Benadryl, nothing...? any ideas or witches brews for the Itching? I'm open to any suggestions.  Thank you.... Andy

[Willy50]

I did that very thing and the results were mixed.

When I got into a drug trial during the screening process it was found I had a form of heart arrhythmia, and I felt that I was able to conclude that the issue may have been the tonic water.

I stopped drinking it and the heart went back to normal patterns. One thing I found was ...possibly.... it's safe, but the older you are the less safe it may be. (I also infer, that health compromised may = older in increased risk of adverse side effects.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonic_water

http://www.livestrong.com/article/110218-dangerous-side-effects-quinine/

Many people are currently unaware of such a connection, and I would float out the possibility that a one time dose is no big deal, but a little each day used prophylactically may end up over time adding up to a clinical dose. (and perhaps much sooner in cirrhotics)

~W

[Dee1956]

Hi there, I have heard of people on here using tonic water to help them with night time cramps
I have used calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc and it seems to help.

If I wake with one I get the calcium magnesium out.  I use the soft gel types in the hope it will absorb quicker

Good luck.