I take 25 milligrams of HydroDiuril and two 595-milligram doses of over-the-counter potassium gluconate. I drink several glasses of water a day plus water with my meals. Is there anything else that I can do to relieve these cramps?

DEAR READER: HydroDiuril is simply hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a common medication used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It can cause muscle and joint pain and a reduction of potassium, which can cause cramping, but you are on supplements to avoid the common side effects. HCTZ can also cause a reduction in the amount of magnesium in your body. While studies suggest that most people may be deficient already, symptoms are not common. If your low levels are further reduced by your medication, this can lead to symptoms of deficiency, which include cramping.

Try adding a magnesium supplement to determine whether the cramping lessens. Speak to your doctor to determine how much you should take. If this doesn’t help, perhaps a change in medication is in order.

Other possible options include calcium supplements, eating pickles or drinking the juice, consuming electrolyte or sports drinks (pickles, pickle juice and sports drinks can be high in sodium, so be sure to read labels), or rubbing marjoram oil (one part marjoram to one part castor or olive oil to prevent skin irritation) over the affected areas.

To provide related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies” and “More Compelling Home Remedies.” Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order per report payable to Newsletter and mailed to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s) or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com.

Twelve years ago, I had radial-nerve surgery, which was successful. I was able to use my arm and hand without any problems. However, if I engaged in an activity such as playing cards or knitting, where my hand was in the same position for any length of time, my hand cramped up and was painful. I tried the vitamin E capsule (400 IU) twice a day and very rarely have cramping anywhere in my body. If I do have a problem, I take an extra capsule immediately with the same result.

During a recent physical examination, I discussed this “remedy” with my doctor, who also reads your columns, and he said he thought you might be interested in this remedy. He said he had no idea why it works but since it does, to continue with the regimen, as this relatively small dose will not harm me. Because it is a blood thinner, I have been advised to stop taking it seven to 10 days prior to any surgery.

I am a 78-year-old Caucasian woman; however, I assume age and race have nothing to do with the results that I have had. I hope this will work as well for others.

DEAR READER: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant properties. It is used for the treatment and prevention of many health conditions. In fact, research remains ongoing regarding its value in treating heart conditions, Parkinson’s, diabetes, anemia, cancer and a host of other diseases and disorders. However, no conclusive studies are available for these and other conditions.

The recommended long-term daily allowance of E is between 15 and 20 IU daily; however, many experts claim it is safe when consumed in larger amounts.

Deficiency of E is rare with a proper diet that includes broccoli, spinach, kiwi, fortified cereals, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and vegetable oils, and also because it is stored in the body for extended periods of time.

There is concern regarding the safety of E in high doses because of the potential for an increased risk of bleeding, particularly in patients on anticoagulants or with a vitamin K deficiency. Excesses have been known to also cause headache, fatigue, blurred vision, diarrhea, flatulence and bloating.

If your physician thinks the 800 IU daily regimen is OK for you, stick with it, especially if it relieves your pain. Other readers should consider a modification in their diet and a discussion with their primary-care physician before taking the supplement. Medications, even those available over the counter, can interact adversely. The safest bet is to get the go-ahead first rather than backtrack after the fact.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Vitamins & Minerals.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order made payable to Newsletter and mailed to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com.

DEAR READER: Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press against specific areas of the body for the release of muscular tension. It promotes the circulation of blood, and can relieve pain, ease tension and arthritis, and a great deal more. Thanks for writing.

DEAR READER: The soap-under-the-sheets remedy is very simple. Place an unwrapped bar of soap under the bottom bedsheet nearest to the affected area. Some readers have had success using wrapped soap, as well. It was originally recommended for nighttime leg cramps but has also been found to be beneficial for other nighttime aches and pains in other areas, such as the shoulders, feet, back and neck. The soap may need to be replaced once in a while, say every three to six months, but it still retains its cleaning ability so it does not need to be thrown away. I suggest your wife try it since she has nothing to lose other than her pain.

DEAR READER: There are a number of different Benadryl products on the market, each containing different inactive ingredients. And, as I have reported on countless occasions, all medications can carry side effects. As you have discovered, a common one in many Benadryl products is dry mouth. Furthermore, diphenhydramine/ibuprofen can cause numbness of an arm or leg and unusual joint or muscle pain.
Consider a trial without this medication. If your symptoms stop, you will have the answer. If you feel you need an antihistamine, speak with your physician regarding a substitution.

DEAR READER:
Lipitor has been connected with severe leg cramps and pain that can appear anywhere in the body, but most commonly in the calf muscles that are used so often.

Co-Q10 is a naturally occurring enzyme in the body. Reports have revealed a deficiency of more than 50% in less than a month by those patients on Lipitor. The deficiency causes pain. Therefore, I recommend you purchase Co-Q10 over-the-counter and continue the reduced dose of Lipitor. Bring my recommendation to your physician’s attention for an opinion.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Cholesterol”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

I’m an 83-year-old man with type 2 diabetes and am medicated pretty well. I walk sometimes but usually get little exercise. I am starting to have bad cramps at night and my legs are getting very weak. I fear losing my feet and lower legs.

Frankly, I love having a 3 oz. glass of red wine before lunch and twice that before dinner. I also love my 4 oz. dish of iced cream at about 9 PM. Are these habits which give me pleasure doing me in? Please advise me.

DEAR READER:
As you are aware, type 2 diabetes is non-insulin dependent and is the more common form. The pancreas continues to produce insulin but the body develops resistance to its effects, resulting in a deficiency. While the condition can affect people of every age, it most commonly occurs after the age of 30. Age, weight and heredity are major risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Long-term complications can result in poor circulation that might lead to heart disease, stroke, infection, poor vision, kidney failure and nerve damage. An individual might experience gradual weakness of the arms or legs, tingling and accompanying pain of the hands and feet, difficult healing of the skin, infection, and more.

It appears that the leg weakness and cramps are among your list of unpleasant side effects. You admittedly do not exercise on a regular basis and this activity is extremely important for all diabetics. Make a plan that works for your lifestyle. Perhaps that translates simply to walking around the block every day. If you have access to a swimming pool at a community center, take advantage of the resource. Perhaps a stationery bicycle indoors will work. Your circulation is likely impaired. While you may not be able to reverse the situation completely, you can definitely take steps to improve it. Start now.

There are several remedies for the leg cramps. The first is simply to remove the wrapper from a bar of soap. Place the soap under your bed sheet at night, where your legs ordinarily rest. This should eliminate the cramps. Some people have even had success with rubbing a bar of soap on the calves of their legs. Do what works best for you.

Pickle juice or a dill pickle incorporated into your diet may help prevent muscle cramping. Both products are available in grocery stores. Numerous drinks (to include pickle juice) contain electrolytes. Read labels at your local market before making a selection.

If your medication keeps your sugar levels under good control, I urge you to continue with the medications prescribed. If you are dissatisfied with the physician you are seeing, request a referral to another primary care physician or to an endocrinologist, a specialist in the field.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Living with Diabetes”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR READER:
I have received several letters from people who drink dill pickle juice (the liquid left in the jar after the pickles are gone). Many claim it is instantly effective. Others have had success with sports drinks that contain electrolytes and still others apply liquid soap directly to the sore muscle. Soap-under-the-sheets still seems to be the preferred method for preventing nocturnal leg cramps.

Recently, I was sent a sample of a product called Pickle Juice Sport which claims to prevent muscle cramps if drunk prior to or during rigorous exercise and activity. Based on the ingredients, it appears to be a hybrid of sorts between sports drinks with electrolytes and dill pickle juice.

Since I have no experience with this product, I am curious to know what my readers think. If you have tried this product or plan to try it, please let me know your results. Anyone interested in more information about it can visit the website at www.PicklePower.com.

Before I am slammed for promoting a product for financial reasons, I will say that I have no affiliation with this product in any way. I simply want to find out if this novel product is beneficial to my readers.

I have suffered from nighttime leg cramps all my life just like my mother before me. Before the pickles I had tried just about everything I could find but the only thing that worked was to jump out of bed once one started, stand on the affected leg and drink lots of water. Needless, to say it wasn’t exactly conducive to sleep and I often awoke feeling tired and irritable. Now all I do when I get a cramp is take one or two bites of a dill pickle and go back to bed. It works very quickly.

I hope this helps your other readers as much as it has helped me.

DEAR READER:
Dill pickles for nocturnal leg cramps is new to me. I have no idea how this would help relieve the pain of the cramps but if it works for you, stick with it. Other options include drinking eight ounces of tonic water before bed and the soap-under-the-sheets trick.

I am curious to find out if others have tried this remedy so please write to me with your experiences, either good or bad. When I get enough responses I will follow up with a results column.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

The activities of the day cause fatigue and perspiration, resulting in depletion of saline and other electrolytes from the bloodstream. Tired and sensitive leg muscles respond by cramping. The cure is simple. Replace the electrolytes!

As soon as the cramps begin, drink an entire glass of Gatorade and wait five minutes. If the cramps have not stopped, drink another glass of Gatorade, go back to bed, and enjoy a peaceful and painless sleep! Forget the soap and prescription drugs. I have a hunch that restless legs syndrome (RLS) will respond to this therapy as well. And, for Heaven’s sake, stop the quinine. I’ve been told it can be harmful.

Professional athletes know all this. That’s why Gatorade was invented.

DEAR READER:
Gatorade was formulated in 1965 to replenish nutrients lost during rigorous exercise and sweating. It replaces electrolytes and carbohydrates, as well as glucose.

Today, there are numerous electrolyte replacement products. Pedialyte is one such product that was specially formulated for children suffering from vomiting and/or diarrhea. Most chain retailers now make store brand equivalents for both children and adults.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) has no identifiable origin and may result from multiple causes and mechanisms. It is an extremely complex disorder that can reflect, among other possibilities, a dopamine deficiency. RLS can be triggered by certain drugs, alcohol, caffeine, and physical trauma. If it were relieved by as simple a thing as Gatorade or other electrolyte replacement drink, I would be rather surprised and am sure the manufacturer would be elated. Nonetheless, if a reader is pacing the floors at an ungodly hour, it will do no harm to try your suggestion. I’d be grateful for comments.

I would like to reiterate the fact that Gatorade can only be useful once a cramp has started, whereas the soap-under-the-sheet trick can prevent the cramp. It would seem to me that soap is still a superior option for those suffering nocturnal leg cramps because sleep won’t be interrupted at all for most individuals.

If you would like to know more about RLS I recommend the book “Restless Legs Syndrome” by Robert Yoakum. In it the author discusses relief and hope for sleepless victims. It is available through most book stores, online or can be special ordered if your bookstore doesn’t have it in stock.