@irr4et Thanks for the tip. The magnesium I take is still mostly working to prevent those severe cramps. When they happen, I can't really move to reach for or walk to get something that will help. My foot goes into the ballet "en point" position and any attempt to change position or put weight on it only increases the pain. I'm not sure touch would tolerated. The cramp is so strong I have residual pain for a whole day as things return to normal. As a chemist, I wonder how a topically applied gel gets to the problem area. Time to "google."