Intense Pain

[whistonian]

I am 81 years old and have recently had blood tests for recurring leg cramps. Blood tests good except for a deficiency in Potassium.Advised to eat more fruit especially Bananas and vegetables,also to drink plenty of water.
However last night I woke up with absolute intense pain just above my left calf, thankfully it didn't last long but it was so centralized and painful and one I had not suffered before that I cannot help but wonder what caused it.
Grateful for any response,
note...the doctor stopped me taking Simvastatin for a while but has ruled them out and restarted them.

[tamborine]

Sleep in socks, it works for me. GP advice seems good.

[jennyjoan]

Also how high are the statins. My legs were like tree trunks at 40mgs when I thought something was wrong but now I am down to 10mg - they same to agree me so far.

[whistonian]

Tamborine, Sleep in socks was that on GP's advice.

Jenny, I take 20mg. and have done so for many years.

[dannyk13]

Indian tonic water contains quinine which has been known to prevent cramps.

[tamborine]

No, its my advice, whisty coz I get leg cramps from standing all day.

[dannyk13]

Useful article here:-http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7665718

[tamborine]

^^Till I wore bed socks.

[Sqad]

Providing that your leg didn't go white...or blue...then the pain was cramp.
I wonder why your potassium was low...are you on diuretics (water tablets)?
Good advice from your GP, drink plenty and try and exercise during the day.

[frugalfred]

The Lord be praised- Sqad is back!

[whistonian]

Thanks everyone for your input.No Squad I do not take water tablets.

[dreamer56]

I am 59 and for over a year suffer intense searing/burning pain inside my ankle, a sort of nerve pain. I am basically in intense agony for about 10 to 20 seconds. Are you sure you are suffering a cramp and not a nerve pain. I have had a CT scan and MRI and nothing has been detected. And I have tried an acupuncturist . This has reduced the intensity of the attack when it comes ( which is out of the blue, now about 12 times in over a year).
But I am beginning to think it may be related to when I imbibe a little too much RED WINE. I cannot be certain yet, but I think each attack may follow red wine consumption. About 4 to 10 hours after the event. I have ruled out walking down hill, drumming( I think!).
A visit to an acupuncturist may help. Mine is marvellous. I hope you find an answer,and feel for your plight.

[hc4361]

Quinine tablets are prescribed by the GP in a dose of 300mg. If the tonic water you buy does contain quinine (many don't these days) it will have only 80mg per litre, if that. You'd have to drink a lot of tonic water for it to be effective.

[jno]

be careful of quinine if you have tinnitus (like me)