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Constant excruciating leg cramps
Chronic Pain | Last Active: Nov 8, 2025 | Replies (129)Comment receiving replies
I'm looking for help for my wife. She is experiencing excruciating foot and leg cramps at night. It will usually start in one place like her foot then travel upwards to ankles, calves and legs. It gets her out of bed right away and I can tell she is suffering because I will look over and see her hunched over, trying to manage the pain. So, we have a bottle of Muscle Relief (CVS)foam. I immediately apply it and start messaging it in. It is horrible pain, but usually with the foam I can get it under control within a 3-5 minutes. But, you know how long that is when you are in extreme pain.
One complication to the solution of this problem is that she has had bariatric surgery. This complicates the matter because she cannot absorb all the nutrients she needs to from her food. I feel, though I do not know, that it makes it more difficult for her body to absorb and process not only food and essential vitamins and minerals, but medicine too. If she could take something orally to help with these cramps, she could incorporate it into her diet or nightly regimen.
If anyone has any information on how I can help her, it would be appreciated very much.
Thank you,
Mike
Replies to "I'm looking for help for my wife. She is experiencing excruciating foot and leg cramps at..."
@mpg0514forlisa
I get a lot of leg cramps mostly due to a rare neuropathy, but have noticed dehydration, salty foods or caffeine are triggers. Calf cramps are excruciating and I’m sure you know you stand on that leg to push the foot flat to get it out. You can also manually push her foot back toward her shin to get it out. Ankle, shin and side of knee cramps are less painful but harder to get out. Once started it will keep happening all night unless I use a muscle massager. I use one with two rubber thumpers to be sure it covers the whole area then turn it up to level 10 as that seems to break up the cramping cycle in just a couple minutes and I’m good for the night. It hurts a bit but worth it. I’ve wondered if using that on my legs for 10 minutes before bed would prevent cramps but I go to bed late, live in a condo and it’s loud so I’m afraid of waking up the neighbors. Such a frustrating problem. You’re a good husband. I hope some of the suggestions in this thread help. I also keep the covers untucked so they don’t push my toes down causing a calf cramp and for a fast exit out of bed.
The muscle massager I have is 30 years old from Walmart but looks something like this. Probably any of them would work.
https://www.amazon.com/Hangsun-Handheld-Massager-Percussion-Massagers/dp/B07GWTF4JT
@mpg0514forlisa when I have those terrible cramps in the night I get up and walk as soon as possible and then stretches. It really does help.
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Welcome Mike @mpg0514forlisa, My wife also gets leg cramps similar to what you describe your wife is having. For my wife it mostly happens when she has not taken in enough water during the day. Hyland's Leg Cramps PM tablets have helped her through the episodes, usually providing relief fairly quickly - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002YXUPGK/. Another thing that might be helpful is to use a magnesium lotion or other moisturizer on her legs at night before going to bed.
Does she drink much water during the day? Has she discussed the leg cramps with her doctor?