177.8 The Quinine Connection!

I'm not sure if I've complained about leg cramps in this blog, but ever since my first back surgery almost 8 years ago, I've been plagued with them at night. A few weeks ago my cousin suggested that I drink (diet) tonic water because it contains quinine. His doctor suggested quinine/tonic water to him for leg cramps. So I started drinking it and the leg cramps diminished and then disappeared. Since I am of the school that if a little is good, probably a lot is better I drank more of it, and was really using it to stay hydrated in the hot sun out here. But then a few days ago, I had the sensation that something was going on with my lips and my face around my mouth, and Jeff confirmed that my face was in fact swollen. At that time I decided I had eaten too many mangoes so I stopped that but still had the problem. This morning as I was drinking the tonic water it dawned on me that maybe that was the cause. I went on line and there is a lot written about allergies to quinine. So, now, about those leg cramps....

(I'm getting ready to go out to the pool. I've checked for dead voles and night frogs. The coast is clear. Oh, I did want to say that night frogs are at least 6 inches long, not including their legs in case you pictured little 2 inch frogs.)

168.4 Backing Off, Starting Over

This is turning into a blog about popcorn and leg cramps! Nothing about popcorn today, but I did see my PT today and she did have some thoughts about the leg cramp connection to water therapy. Why yes, they are connected, obviously, and for the time being she wants me to back off and start over with maybe 10 reps with each leg for each exercise. But I was so proud of doing 3 to 4 minutes (one song from Mamma Mia) for each exercise, and jogging in place in the water for up to ten minutes. No jogging at all for now is the way it stands. Yes, I'm a little disheartened, but I need to do what the doctor ordered so will follow her dictate. (Yes, she has earned her doctorate in PT.)

And without the flurry of so much exercise, my weight is staying pretty steady! Last night we went to Picasso's Pizza, a small Arizona chain that serves pizza made with organic, very healthy ingredients if you choose that route. The very thin, very delicious pizza crust that I had last night was made with quinoa, amaranth, wheat germ bulgur wheat, flax seed meal, psyllium husks, rolled oats, fennel seed, ginger powder, seaweed kelp and sea salt. No wonder I didn't gain any weight, and the spinach and mushroom topping with red sauce was delicious. Even doubting Jeff liked it!

168.4 The Leg Cramp Connection

We are having friends over later today to play a little bridge and then go out to eat. Guess what we are offering to munch on while we play! You got it! Popcorn!

Yesterday I finally got back in the pool to do my water therapy and during the night leg cramps drove me nuts. Because it has been pretty cold out here (comparatively speaking), I hadn't been doing my water exercise for about three weeks. And, I hadn't been bothered by leg cramps at night. After yesterday's foray into the water I'm sad to say that they are back. I have a hunch that my physical therapist will be able to help me with this. Even though it's a beautiful day, I'm not getting in the pool today. Maybe playing bridge will be my exercise for the day. It definitely exercises my brain!