Thanks for your input.  I started taking vitamin E about a week ago.  I
was wondering why I have not had those nasty cramps lately.  So, I guess
it does work and that is one symptom out of the way.

Thanks again,

Bill Andrews
[log in to unmask]

Barb_MSN wrote:
>
> Bill A...
>
> I've had PD for approx.. 25 years, and toe cramping was
> one of the very first symptoms I experienced, tho for the
> first several years no one, including any of the MDs I
> saw ever tied the cramps in with PD (at the time I was
> searching for a diagnosis I was in my early 30s and no
> MD would even THINK of someone under 60 as having
> that "old persons disease, Parkinson's!).
>
> The toe cramps were severe, and were becoming a nightly
> nightmare because they started up the moment I lay down
> to sleep and struck again upon my awakening. (YIKES!
> Owie!!)
>
> After living with the toe cramps and other vague symptoms
> for 7 years, I was Dx's with PD, and it was at THAT time
> I began looking for treatments for individual symptoms such
> as the toe cramps, since I knew there was no cure (YET)
> for the disease itself.
>
> I discovered that vitamin E, taken daily, two to three times
> a day (depending upon my daily needs and condition), in
> the amount of 800-ICUs per dose  (and not exceeding
> 1600-ICUs daily) <an arbitrary number I've set for myself
> since I noticed no additional benefits when I took more
> than 1600-ICUs a day> stopped my from suffering ANY
> daily toe cramps completely.
>
> I also found that any time I dropped below that arbitrary
> figure for more than a coupla days, the cramps returned,
> so I continue taking 1600-ICUs of vitamin E each day and
> have no toe OR leg cramps whatsoever, no matter what
> other PD symptoms I might have at any given time.
>
> NOTE:  Vitamin E, taken in a large daily dose slows one's
> blood clotting time, so must not be taken in large daily
> doses if one's taking Cumidin (spelling?) or other blood
> thinners or anti-clotting drugs.
>
> Barb Mallut
> [log in to unmask]
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bill Andrews <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Thursday, January 20, 2000 9:16 AM
> Subject: Re: Calf muscles ? / A neurologist open to learning
>
> >My doc gave me a Rx for Quinine Sulfate to be taken at bedtime or
> >whenever I start to cramp.  It does seem to help.  I normally
> cramp up
> >when I go to bed at night.
> >
> >Renee Marton wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi all.  I was reading Ivan's letter about swithching to dr.
> Boothby and also
> >> mentioning cramps in calves and toe curling.  My mother has
> this problem alot.
> >> Can anyone mention specific things that they do to relieve
> this, or even
> >> prevent them (assuming one can feel them "coming on")?
> Thanks.l  Renee
> >> Marton (PT CG for Judy --75/63)