Hagatha, you don't need to use the quick menu to take potions or eat or change what you are doing in battle. Just hit Tab (which brings up the menu while pausing the action), then select items or magic and select the one you want to have active. You can also use "P" to change the magic or shouts.
However, if you Push "F" while an item is selected it will be in the "Q" menu. You can push "Q" at any time, including during fights. That will pause the action and allow you to look at all your Favorites and just click on it...or assign a number to it (1-8). If you want to use the quick items without using the number, just click on it. Just be sure you know which hand you assigned it to and which mouse button that corresponds to.
I was having such a difficult time because I thought the "R" and "L" next to quick items meant Right Click and Left Click, but it really means Right Hand and Left Hand and the Right Hand is controlled by the Left Click.
You can eat during battle too.
I'm glad we are having fun with this game, but the thread has gotten a bit unwieldy so I'm going to close it and make a Part 2. See you in the new thread.