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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)