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I hope the doctors who prescribe quinine for leg cramps also explain the possible side effects/allergies to quinine (in any form) to the patient. One day I went to the doctor and my blood test showed a platelet count ( the blood clotting factor in your blood) of about 7,000 (normal is 250,000 to 350,000). I was immediately hospitalized and given a blood transfusion. My platelet count began to rise but at a faster rate than would be expected. But they had absolutely no explanation. The doctors showed me a distinctive but very mild (almost unnoticeable) "rash" on my skin and told me if I ever got it again to seek medical help. A couple of years later I noticed one morning that I had this rash --- again. I immediately went to the emergency room and told them I needed a blood test because I suspected a low platelet count. The results were about 10,000. The doctors searched back thru my records and discovered the last time it had happened I had taken a quinine tablet for leg cramps. I had taken ONE quinine tablet for leg cramps the day before I noticed the "rash" --- the first in a very long time. This time they told me I could go home but be VERY careful for several days until my platelet count recovered ---- and do not take ANYTHING that contains quinine. The doctors concluded that the quinine had killed all my platelets and the count was beginning to rise as the quinine was expelled from my system. I had been taking quinine (periodically) for leg cramps for several years (also had taken it for malaria prevention in Vietnam). If you are allergic to quinine it takes only a very small dose to destroy all your platelets. Do not know how many times I had low platelet counts but was lucky enough not to have a serious injury at the time. The "rash" on my skin was the result of blood leaking out of my capillaries because there were no platelets present. If I had had a serious injury or internal bleeding had begun I could have serious problems because my blood would not clot. I therefore have to avoid ANYTHING that contains quinine --- medication, quinine water, bitters in mixed drinks. Unfortunately I have been unable to locate a comprehensive list of things that normally contain or might contain quinine. If quinine works --- fine ---- but be aware of the possible side effects. They could possibly kill you. There are no symptoms --- other than the "rash". Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: Janice Morgan <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2001 9:43 AM Subject: Re: Leg pains - arthritis? Morning crawl Dear Bev, Yes the quinine does help a lot. I would get it for him and try. Janice ----- Original Message ----- From: Bev MacLeod <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2001 4:24 PM Subject: Re: Leg pains - arthritis? Morning crawl > Janice, does the quinine help a lot? My husband will see his doctor on > Monday, but he is not very open to alternatives. Feels what he prescribes > is the answer and "don't ask about anything else". I feel we have to > manipulate the medical system to get them to even listen to ideas. i.e. we > tell the medical doctor about some research and gee gosh golly the movement > specialist something else we want to check out. At some point we hope we > get what we wanted in the beginning. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Janice Morgan" <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2001 7:07 PM > Subject: Re: Leg pains - arthritis? Morning crawl > > > > Hi Noma and Judith, I also get pain in my muscles in my legs and the doc > > says it is not parkinsons I have news for them. Have you taken quine for > it? > > I drink tonic water and my doc gave me some quine pills to take at bed > time > > to help. Janice > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Noma DePew <[log in to unmask]> > > To: <[log in to unmask]> > > Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2001 12:31 PM > > Subject: Re: Leg pains - arthritis? Morning crawl > > > > > > > Thanks so very much for that URL, Judith.....I've printed a copy to give > > to > > > my new doctor! The last neuro said the pain had nothing to do with > > > Parkinson's Disease.... > > > Bunny > > > > > > (http://www.parkinson.org/parkpain.htm) > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------- ------- > > > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > > mailto:[log in to unmask] > > > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------- ------- > > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------- ------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn