Is there a magic bullet for middle of the night leg cramps?

[ChaosTrulyReigns]

It's not each night, but it's quite frequent.

I can tell when I'm going to be affected - I tend to get ore cramp twinges in the evening and then I'll suffer two or three bouts that night.

The only thing that seems to alleviare it is a hot shower with it focussed in the cramp. Though sometimes it's almost impossible to get to the shower as it's so painful to walk. It also comes back later in the night.

I'm a bit chunky, in the funting menopause, I think these can't help the issue.

I take manga supplements but haven't noticed any difference really.

Help an old gal out, please.

What helped me when I was having cramp was a magnesium spray massaged into the crampy area.
Heat holder socks in bed and eating nuts also helps me. DH swears by bananas but I don’t like them.
There’s an old wives tale about putting an used bar of soap on the mattress under the sheet in the leg area. I have done this in desperation but I can’t confirm whether it worked.

Yes! Yes there is!
Sit up in bed and flex your toes (don't bend them) and if you can reach, use your hands to help flex your toes and stretch the foot towards your body. Stretch the foot and massage the leg. This will alleviate the pain enough to help you get into a warm shower.

I get these on my calf and take magensium to try and help. I notice it's a bit worse if I'm dehydrated so try to drink more water.

If you get them in the calf just try to remember to quickly point your foot upwards to stop it!

Put your foot flat on something cold! I've been known to stick my foot out on the mirror some nights, instant relief.

My leg cramps went after I gave up gluten. Try cutting out BBC (bread, biscuits, cakes) for a few days, particularly in the evenings. Also pasta made from wheat. I buy pasta made from lentils - you get used to it!

I was told by a menopause specialist that magnesium oil was better than tablets as it bypasses the stomach. This was for aching joints but it might be worth a try

Magnesium spray. I use it on my calfs every night.

Yes to Magnesium- I take it orally, and also have the oil spray.

also taking Epsom salt baths really helps the leg cramps, (magnesium sulfate) It is a bit drying to the skin so I add some oils to the water. It is absorbed transdermally and really has helped me with the wretched leg cramps. They are so painful.

I used to always get horrid calf cramps ever since I was a child and nothing helped, until my DH told me the weirdest trick. As soon as the cramp starts, stand up and stomp on the ground with the cramping leg. I thought he was mad to suggest it but it instantly stopped the pain when nothing else would.

Magnesium supplements really work for me. I get cramp a lot otherwise and when I get casual about the supplements and forget, they will come back

Thoroughly stretch calves before bed every night. I started this five years ago, and have not had a single leg cramp since.

A banana each evening is supposed to help- not sure if it actually does but maybe worth a try? I used to swear by it when I was a dancer when I was younger but not sure if it was just a placebo 😂
But I agree with a previous poster that when the cramp takes hold straighten your leg on the bed in front of you and flex your foot with your toes pointing up towards the sky (rather than pointing your feet down) and reach forward and vigarously rub the affected muscle to get warmth into the muscle. When the pain has somewhat subsided stand up and get in a warm bath or shower if you can/want to.
A really warm bath before bed on nights you think it might happen can also help relax the muscles and might prevent it.

You have my sympathy OP, leg cramps are a bloody horrible feeling! Hope you find something that works for you.

I tend to get them when I’m dehydrated.

magnesium spray also works quite well, and is also good for Peri induced insomnia.

when it’s happening, I point and flex my toes or do what @MrsTilney suggests.

Have heard lots of people saying magnesium so agree with that. But I seem to recall that it was generally thought that frequent cramps was was the result of too little salt? Dehydration also often means a salt deficit so people commenting on that tracks.

Feet on the freezing cold tile floor in the bathroom, while trying to stretch out the cramp. Works for me.

Magnesium spray is excellent.

As is tonic water, but make sure it has quinine in it as that is what helps with twitches and cramps.

A banana and a glass of water before bed....always works for me.

Magnesium oil applied topically and quinine sulphate tablets

My mother swears that she used to get night cramps if she did not eat something with salt during the day and tend to have a slice of tomato sprinkled with salt before bed and she says that this works.

I get them the odd time and just stamp away.

When you get a cramp, grab hold of your toes and pull towards you, with the leg straight. It stretches the calf muscle and should help. Quinine tablets (available to buy) are meant to be effective, but as with any medication, cause some side-effects. Ibuprofen can help.

Leg cramps are due to a salt imbalance which is why magnesium sprays/oils/supplements help people.

Banana comment is good though - while magnesium will help too, you need more potassium in your diet.

Pressed post too soon.

That's also why pps mum needed something with salt on daily. So try a little salt on your dinner tonight.

Salt imbalance often occurs with dehydration. I don't mean just not drinking enough and being thirsty. You could be drinking too much water or caffeine. Try a sports drink in the day and see how you get on. If it continues though, see a doctor.

There is an acupressure point above your upper lip, where the dip is below your nose. Pinch that hard, thumb inside, forefinger outside in the dip. It relieves the pain at least enough to do something else, like the stretching recommended by PPs.

My Mother and I both had leg cramps pretty bad, butonly at night. mums got sorted by magnesium tablets, and mine went a

Well, that message didn't post properly! That last part should say, are you menopausal or 80? If not, I have no advice!