What can I do to minimize or treat leg cramps at night?

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I’ve long suffered from leg and foot cramps at night, and they’re so painful that they wake me up. My calves go into spasms, my feet and toes curl under, and the pain is hideous. It’s disturbing my sleep so much, and I’m consequently tired during the day. I wake up with the pain, and have to stand up and walk around to get rid of the pain, so it disturbs my partner as well. I’ve tried massaging my legs and feet, both before I go to bed, and also when the cramps occur. I’ve tried Magnesium supplements, Crampeze, and Carusos Magnesium, with very limited success. It does seem much worse during hot weather, especially if I get overheated, but it only ever happens in bed at night. I’m at my wit’s end, and wondered if any Mums have been through something similar, and what they did to resolve the problem?

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- - Frankiielot said
  - 02 Jun 2022
    9:54 pm
I had this so bad when I was pregnant and the only thing that stopped it for me was sleeping with a pregnancy pillow between my legs!
I don’t know what it was it honestly worked miracles as I would have anxiety going to sleep each night until I got one.
- - Ellen said
  - 15 Mar 2022
    8:40 am
Stretch. Straighten your leg and then flex it, pulling your toes towards your shin to stretch the muscles.
Massage. Use your hands or a roller to massage the muscles.
Stand. Get up. …
Walk. Wiggle your leg while you walk around.
Apply heat. …
Apply cold. …
Pain killers. …
Elevate.
Consume plenty of Magnesium
- - mom762 said
  - 28 Jul 2020
    6:23 pm
Coconut water and bananas!
- - mom394416 said
  - 21 Aug 2019
    8:12 pm
Many do my family have had the same problem. It can be caused by dehydration so try more water or an electrolyte drink before bed
- - mom70876 said
  - 21 Nov 2016
    11:44 pm
I used to have these. Try elevating your legs to sleep. eat more salt helps too
- - coastalkaryn said
  - 15 Sep 2015
    7:07 pm
please get advise from GP – just in case of something yucky like blood clots
- - mom81879 said
  - 09 Sep 2015
    7:40 pm
My hubby got these really bad. He tried Carusos Vein Away tablets and they worked wonders, no more cramps! Until he stopped taking them Men huh?!?!
- - kymichelle said
  - 21 Feb 2015
    11:52 am
Stretching legs – especially calves – before bed can really help and magnesium tablets (they are cheap to buy in bulk and work well)
- - mom73576 said
  - 05 Aug 2014
    5:53 pm
I get them when I haven’t drunk enough water through the day. My doctor also told me that it could mean low potassium and low salt.
- - no1ladydj said
  - 02 Jul 2014
    9:35 pm
Thanks for that idea, MEMO. All my doctor suggested was Crampeze, which hasn’t done much at all, and it’s not cheap either. I’ll buy a tube of Glucosamine Rapid and try that. Thanks for the suggestion.
- - memo said
  - 30 Jun 2014
    11:15 pm
you would hope that doctors could help other than the tablets you are taking or painkillers. My husband is a diabetic and the problem can be very painful. I sometimes have to massage his legs at night. He has tried Magnesium and other supplements. Glucosamine Rapid gives relief to his feet so you may find this helpful. It is a capsicum cream.
- - christine_muller said
  - 30 Jun 2014
    9:51 pm
I would defiantly ask your doctor !! It sounds like you’ve tried everything that I would have suggested. If magnesium hasn’t made a difference after a few weeks then defo talk to someone Hun !! Good luck with it !!