My father has complained of this problem for decades. None of the usual suggestions helped. I finally figured it out when it started to happen to me.

Sure I've always gotten "charlie horses" in the middle of the night if I was dehydrated, or had done an unusual amount of walking or whatever. (Like the night of the first day of turkey season, after I've walked many miles up and down hills, it's 100% it will happen)

But his problem, and now mine, isn't muscles. It's discs in the back/neck. Most of my life I slept on my stomach. I haven't in years. Now if I lay on my stomach and manage to fall asleep for very long, I will wake up with an amazing leg cramp. From my knee, down the side of my leg through my foot. (not the normal and far worse hamstring ones from over doing it) If I lay on my stomach with my head facing one way, it will be one leg. If I lay with my head facing the other way, it's the other leg. The first time I realized what has happening, I tested it out, switching sides, and it held true to head direction deciding which leg.

That's when I realized those were the same one's my father always complains about. (his spine is a mess) And that's why no vitamin or supplement did any good.

Calm Magnesium powder works great. I need to try to start taking it again. Ever since my nerve pain down my leg and I had surgery, I still will get a horrific calf cramp anytime I stretch my right leg. Not sure if magnesium will help with my current situation or not but I need to try as it has worked in the past.

I have had cramping issues for many years…VA has me on 10 MEQ potassium chloride (about max dose) and 1200mg of magnesium oxide with multivitamins and vitamin B. I drink a lot of water as I work outside. A lot of walking for my job. Still get cramps with all that, like cramps that wake me up in the middle of the night in my thighs, calves, etc. (in my hands when I work with tools in repetitive motion). My solution that helps me is a product called TheraWorxs. It stops the cramps in a few minutes. I can usually tell when the cramps will hit and I slather up before bedtime, then I don’t get cramps. The doc even gave me muscle relaxers but that was not the best medicine for me. I like the TheraWorxs stuff. I get the foam version. Try it, hope it works for you.

I’m a believer in the acupuncture site between lip and nose. It works pretty quick. However,,,
My friend gave me some pills he bought at Wally World OTC. They’re called Hylinds or Hylands and you put one under your tongue. I just used my first one last nite and it worked. I’ve been taking Lasix lately and ran out of bananas.

Now, preventing them is the first choice but these worked immediately. I had to repeat it times one hours later. My friend who gave them to me says that Magnesium Glycinate is the one to take to prevent cramps. He hasn’t needed the Hylands since he started taking the MG. He researches everything and says all Magnesium’s are not equal in this regard. I’m planning to pick some up.

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
I have used magnesium supplements for years to take care of leg cramps. Works for me.

flashguy

This, for me, too. 250mg every other night before bed.

Easy, safe answer>>>>>>>.learn to stretch!

I get them now and then, have for years. I tried a potassium supplement but it never really helped. Then after a routine bloodwork panel my doctor noted that my magnesium level was a little low. I started taking a magnesium supplement and it helped a lot. I don't get the leg cramps anymore. 250mg/day.

I work in power generation (steam turbines), and I used to work with a guy that carried a little pack of mustard in his pocket and would suck it out straight (that's not for me) he said that worked, and a lot of the construction workers/mechanics, I know, keep pickle juice in their lunch box for cramps.

quote:

Originally posted by VBVAGUY:
As I get older I have noticed that I get leg cramps more often.

Well, I am not alone. I am also taking potassium and magnesium supplements to help with the leg cramps and stay hydrated (alternating every other day). Often I can feel them coming on but stretch the muscle to help keep it from coming on.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and sharing your experiences. I purchased some chelated magnesium and will try that and see how it goes. God Bless !!!

Quinine water helped my mothers leg cramps.
Easily available in to ic water.

After exertions, I’ll also head the cramps off with some Nunn electrolyte tablets in water.

I tend to get them bad after hikes.

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:
Pound a Liquid I.V. once a day.

Crap. I was going to try this until I read The ingredients. I wish they would quit putting stevia in everything. That stuff gives me a migraine every time.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Peteroniman:
I work in power generation (steam turbines), and I used to work with a guy that carried a little pack of mustard in his pocket and would suck it out straight (that's not for me) he said that worked, and a lot of the construction workers/mechanics, I know, keep pickle juice in their lunch box for cramps.

My step mom said she does that, too. Sounds nasty but she says it works.

Magnesium Glycinate is better absorbed than Magnesium Oxide, or so I’ve read. So for supplementation go with Glycinate

When my wife gets a leg cramp she eats a spoonful of mustard and no more cramps. I’ve tried it and it works but I’d rather have the mustard in a hot dog!! The tumeric in the mustard is the key.

I have had horrible calf cramps after going on the Optivia diet to lose weight. Once, both calves at once so badly I collapsed to the ground and freaked out my wife.

Things that have helped:
- Increasing my magnesium intake.
- Taking quinine, about an hour before bedtime. You can find it in Hyland's Leg Cramps pills at any drug store (they're the only company licensed to sell them), or in tonic water. Tonic water tastes awful (hence the cocktail Gin & Tonic), but I squirt a little Mio in there to offset the taste.
- Drinking more water throughout the day.

I've heard that a tablespoon of pickle juice will provide almost immediate relief, but I haven't tried that yet.

I’m in the bad back problem cause. I’m good as long as I don’t move myself faster than a snail in getting out of bed and sudden movements will trigger legs and all over body muscle flexing for about 30 seconds. Painful because of my arthritis but short cramping times. This now happens every time I sleep and is getting worse. My only concern really is I’m looking at a hip replacement, and worry about how this will affect that . I’m on magnesium and will try adding some potassium again. But myself and my brother both have the same problem and we both have Skeletal/joint problems. Definitely am going to bring it up with my surgeon.

Fluid and electrolytes (particularly potassium and magnesium).

If restless, before going to a Mirapex or similar Rx, make sure your iron levels are normal.