latlely i've been suffering from bad cramps in my calves, you know the ones.... hole the size of a golf ball in the muscle...you think it's gone untill you try to water start again....squeeling like a pig underwater etc etc

any cures in the form of a pill i can pop 30 mins before i go out?????

!

No LeeD, I don't think Miller was talking about sucking on the pork sausage?

Leg cramps are muscle spasms or Charlie Horses anywhere in the leg. They can result in sudden, painful spasms.
If you are frequently bothered by leg cramps, check with your doctor to rule out medical conditions that may be causing the problem. Many different factors can promote cramping, including low blood levels of calcium, magnesium, or vitamin E. Circulation disorders, anemia (a low level of blood cells), and improper functioning of the thyroid gland can also cause leg cramps. Other causes include dehydration, heat stroke, inactivity, and strenuous exercise. Cramps can also occur for no apparent reason.

Here are a few tips that may help prevent leg cramps:


Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Doctors recommend six to eight glasses everyday.
Massage your muscles before going to bed.
Stretch daily, before and after exercise.
Maintain a well-balanced diet and eat foods high in calcium (such as milk and cheese), potassium (bananas and dates), and Vitamin E (spinach and sweet potatoes).
If you have a leg cramp, gently stretch and massage the muscle. You can apply a warm heating pad to the area to help calm the cramping muscle and reduce discomfort.

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) can help reduce the pain of leg cramps.

Some people try natural remedies such as vitamin E, vitamin B6, magnesium, butcher’s broom and MSM to prevent leg cramps. However, there is no convincing evidence that these supplements are effective for treating or preventing leg cramps.

In severe cases, doctors may prescribe muscle relaxants to relieve leg cramps. People have used quinine sulfate to treat leg cramps. It is now available only by prescription. But U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) research showed that quinine sulfate is not effective for leg cramps. Quinine has also been associated with serious side effects such as temporary sight and hearing disturbances, dizziness, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

In one sentence.... Drink more water and stay away from quinine Miller

Windsurfer, sorry didnt scoll down and see your data,before I put my fitycents in, and yep what windsurfer said.

Potassium, magnesium and calcium are the mains metals needed for muscles to contract, when you dont have enough you cramp up, so as LeeD said "eat a banana a day" given that bananas are one of the highest natural sources of potassium, its helps.

On another note take a bottle of tonic water into a nightclub with black lights and it will light up all blue, no seriously Quiniene is UV active so it glows under UV lights. Looks light you are drinking radioactive goo

nah years of excessive pies and guinness did that.
It might also explain my grey complexion too.

Windy,

I had cramps in my calves only once this season, I also forgot to have a decent drink before I went out only once this season. No prizes for guessing it was the same session.

Regards,
Harrow.

Windy, it sounds like you're just not drunk enough when you go sailing. If you care about your well-being, finish the damn case!!

I use to get bad muscle cramps in my hamstrings. Another windsurfer suggested drinking lots of water the day before i go out windsurfing. Now i have no problems !!!!

I had calf cramps a few years and a medico said to get magnesium tabs from the chemist...all fixed