And the Doctor Said
@GardenGerty (157551)
United States
March 15, 2017 9:29pm CST
Last time I visited the doctor I was complaining about frequent muscle spasms in my legs at night. I bemoaned the fact that I do not love bananas. That is my husband's go to for muscle cramps. Or at least that used to be his go to.
The doctor suggested I drink tomato juice or V-8 juice, in reasonable amounts.She said I need all the different minerals in it. I keep a bottle of V-8 in my work refrigerator. It fills me up and the muscle cramps have stopped.
Hubby took a nap after work yesterday, and was jolted awake by severe cramps in his legs. I tried to get him to do some stretches, but they were not helping. Suddenly I remembered I had some V-8 here at home.
Hubby drank that, and found that it worked really quickly, more so than bananas.I like it for me as it has fewer carbs and calories. So hubby has a new favorite potassium food. I think it helps.
21 people like this
23 responses
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
16 Mar 17
this the berry V8, or the tomato? I cant stand the tomato. but I have this issue too.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
19 Mar 17
@GardenGerty I like the berry version of it and they have a generic brand at Aldi too.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
19 Mar 17
@ElusiveButterfly I am sure the berry version will have more carbs, which I need to avoid, but it may have a lot of your electrolytes anyway, just all disguised with berries. I have not been to an Aldi in a while. I need to make a point to go.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
What she recommended was tomato juice or original V8. It is possible that the berry version would help. Even a baked potato can help.
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
16 Mar 17
Glad that worked for you. I get plenty of potassium in foods, and I don't like V-8. I do like bananas and avocadoes, though. Magnesium also helps. I was out of magnesium tablets for almost a week and the cramps in my feet came back. They came in yesterday and I didn't have the cramps last night.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
That is why we are liking the V8 as it seems to have all the electrolytes. I still do take a cal/mag supplement.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
19 Mar 17
I wish I could drink V-8 juice. I do not like the flavor of it. Guess I'll stick to my bananas.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
19 Mar 17
@GardenGerty I love tomato juice, but am sensitive to acids so I have to limit my intake.
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
19 Mar 17
How about regular tomato juice? Bananas are okay for an occasional snack but I just do not crave them.
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@LeaPea2417 (36442)
• Toccoa, Georgia
18 Mar 17
That is good to know V-8 juice can help leg cramps. I never knew that.
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@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
I think most all fruit and vegetable juices are helpful. I just was glad my doctor reminded me of this.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38657)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Mar 17
Hmm, my husband keeps potassium tablet in the house and it generally takes about ten minutes for him to get relief. I rarely get muscle cramps any more, but I did get them a lot when I was in my twenties.
I'll keep the V8juice in mind.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
Hubby always focused on the potassium, but in food. We have heard that it is not good to take potassium as a supplement unless recommended by a doctor.
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@atoz1to10 (6781)
• Australia
16 Mar 17
Thanks for sharing. I might try this for my hubby too.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
It is a healthy choice, good luck.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
16 Mar 17
V8? Interesting. I might have to consider keeping some on hand.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
It is much lower carb than fruit juices and that is why it is okay for a diabetic.
@rusty2rusty (6751)
• Defiance, Ohio
16 Mar 17
Glad something helped. I will have my fiance try that next time. I can't have V-8 juice to an allergy to tomatoes.
1 person likes this
@rusty2rusty (6751)
• Defiance, Ohio
18 Mar 17
@GardenGerty It is rather annoying, to say the least. Tomatoes seem to be in everything just as much as bacon is now a days. My fiance' is allergic to that.
@freak369 (5113)
• United States
12 Jul 17
I always have jars of banana baby food next to my bed in case I get cramps. I'm a bilateral amputee so when I get a leg cramp I cant just jump up and walk it off LOL. The baby food goes down quick, doesn't taste all that bad and NO fruit flies in the middle of summer.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
12 Jul 17
I imagine that works fast, better than a regular banana. I can certainly see the advantages.
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
16 Mar 17
That's good to know. I like V-8 and have some here.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
17 Mar 17
I usually put my hand in a fist and press it into the middle of the back of my let and for the foot massage the sole of the foot around the ankle.
Did not know about the V-8.
Will try and see if I can get it here.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
Regular tomato should work as well. Yes, sometimes we have had to massage the offending muscle.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
18 Mar 17
@GardenGerty
Regular tomatoes are the ones I use but if the skin is way too thick and does not soften up then I just use the inside the pulp and forget about the rest.
Until they put the locally grown stuff back that is the way things are.
We will be able to get back the pear shaped tomato whoopee.
@allknowing (130066)
• India
16 Mar 17
I eat bananas thrice a day.. I get cramps specially in the night and this I attribute to the Blood Pressure tablets I take. These are diuretics that drain away liquid from my system.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
You most likely are right. Those diuretics can really deplete your potassium. Glad you have the bananas.
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@allknowing (130066)
• India
18 Mar 17
@GardenGerty Despite eating bananas I get cramps. It could be due to depletiong of sodium levels.
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
Probably you are right. This was one of the times for my husband when the banana did not work.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
I will eat them, but do not crave them. Oranges are high in potassium, but I should not eat as many of them.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325758)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Mar 17
@GardenGerty Some become allergic to oranges and come out in hives if they eat too many.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
16 Mar 17
I like v-8, but don't drink it too often. I guess if I ever have leg cramps I'll get some!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
I was looking for something good to fill out my lunches at school.
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
He still likes bananas but he had already eaten two and they had not helped.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
16 Mar 17
I get a 'Charley horse' once in a while but not often, usually happens in the pool. Maybe I need tomato juice.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
Fruits and veggies are our friends. Yes, you may use your muscles more or differently in the pool.
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
Yes, there is. You can get a reduced sodium version, though. If you are sweating a lot the sodium is not so harmful.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
16 Mar 17
That is good to know. I use to get leg cramps all the time. I haven't had them in quite sometime and now that I read this I know why. I started drinking tomato juice and vegetable juice just because I like it and haven't drank it in years. I had no idea that it helped muscle cramps. Now I know. I will keep drinking it.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Mar 17
Aha! sometimes it is fun to find out why something is working so well.
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