Nocturnal Leg Cramps - Help!

I, also, use the Theragun mini on my shin cramps along with many of the other things you mentioned. I use it right before going to bed. It is the absolute BEST tool to keep the excruciating cramps from disrupting sleep!!!! I accidentally discovered this tool and if one can afford it, it’s worth every cent to me!

Hi, Ashby.
Doing pretty well. But not totally cramp-free.
They still occur every now and then. Mostly on days when I notice I haven't taken in enough fluids. Think fluid intake (electrolytes) is also implicated in the cramps.

And it's important to not count caffeine containing drinks in our fluid totals. I only drink water, soups (love them), smoothies, some ice cream, watermelon and other melons, a little yogurt, and EVOO with much of my food. No milk, coffee, tea, soda, juices, beer or other booze.

I've been on a "relaxed" keto diet for years (it cured my prediabetes) -- but no longer eat bacon (though I love it), hot dogs, salami and related super-processed meats (pepperoni, etc.), and the like. I'm a big-time scrutinizer of food labels.

I also take magnesium daily, and a vitamin / mineral supplement twice weekly to ensure I'm getting the basics.

How are you doing, Ash?

All the best!
/LarryG

Definately makes a difference to have consistent fluids. I do drink black coffee.

I tried everything - magnesium, cashmere sox, ⬆️fluids, etc, etc. What finally did it for me was a banana before bedtime. It really works.

I've heard this before, that the potassium in bananas helps relieve cramping. I don't if there is any science behind it, but have heard that it can help.

If a banana alone fixed your problem cheers to you. But consider if your potassium is low other important electrolytes may be low too and a banana alone will not fix it all. I recommend you see you PCP to have a basic metabolic panel performed.

I suggest Voltaren (diclofenac) lotion on the affected area. I can't say for sure that applying it before bedtime as opposed to applying it once the cramp has set in. My wife is 68 yrs old, she uses it successfully in the middle of the night. In 2023 (75yrs old) I suffered a 3-line non-operable pelvic fracture and had a miserable 2 months of the worst nighttime charley-horse cramps, and I resorted to Voltaren cream applied directly and liberally to my thighs, down along the full length of my calves. I was able to resume sleep within 15 minutes or so after that.

For one thing have your doctor check your labs…. I was told a long time ago about taking magnesium & I took some & it solved my problem, but, look up all the different kinds of magnesium & what they’re good for & how they are absorbed…. I did & it depends on what you need is & how it acts on the body…. I take a multi kind & sometimes I need to take more than one because of how I eat…. I have gastroparesis & that limits my food intake & what I can eat…. Do your homework on the internet & listen to your body is so important…. If you can get on the internet, or ask a friend or family to help you. Your pharmacist is a good source also, but write your questions down to get your right answers or be prepared to be an experiment on yourself…. Good Luck!

Orange juice has a lot more potassium than bananas. One 8 oz glass (plus drinking enough water) a day got rid of my leg cramps, and I didn’t have to worry about keeping a fresh banana around.

I drink a lot of water
All day long.
I get leg & foot cramps at night sometime and after gulping down a few glasses of water, they subside.
I have more nocturnal cramps in the summer which I attribute to dehydration.
I think I may try magnesium after consulting with my GP.