Foot cramps in early morning.

I have the same issue.

Every morning while in bed, I stretch (point) my toes as much as I can, with my legs a straight as I can. Initially this hurts, but I think the problem is that we don't do that as much as we used to, & those muscles go unused.

So, my cure is to use them every morning.

How is your vascular health? How 'bout your heart? Are your valves okay, your ejection fraction is good? Have you ever worn a device to detect low heart rates or low blood pressure?

Are your electrolyte levels consistent and in a safe range?

Do you spend a good amount of time trudging around....the house or your garden, or around the block a coupla times each day? Is your balance okay?

If you don't know the answers to these questions, or if some of them are no, maybe you should seek guidance from a kindly physician. But I would consult one anyway.

magnesium capsule and salt substitute in water before bed have helped me

I join you in this difficulty. No fun. Thanks for the blanket lift idea - I’ve not tried that.

Nocturnal leg cramps are something I’ve had since my teenage years. I have the stretching cramps when I wake, too, but far worse are the ones throughout the night. Some so severe I have to heat a bean bag in the microwave and place right on the cramped calf. Heat is the only thing that helps. A shot of pickle juice sometimes helps. You know it was a bad night if I left the Wicked Pickles jar on the kitchen counter. Water, magnesium, exercise, electrolytes, stretching before bed — none of these seem to be the solution for me, over many decades of trying. It can really impact sleep quality to have a 911 leg cramp night or series of them. And sleep quality is an important to brain health and much more.

Would love to hear what others have tried. Maybe a particular type of magnesium supplement - anyone using a powder?

Thanks.

@grrranny Thanks for the tip. What magnesium capsule do you take? The ones I’ve tried haven’t seemed to make a difference.

@agh I’m 80 and I like to bypass oral supplements when I can. I have great success with Magnesium Oil Spray brand name AOSORW found on Amazon. Not really oily, just rub it on your feet, legs. Dries in a few minutes at bedtime or anytime.

Drinking pure coconut water really helped my leg cramps! The electroyltes in it works for me!

For magnesium: leafy greens, dark chocolate, soy milk, nuts (almonds especially), avocados, black beans.

Potassium: beets, figs, pistachios, potatoes, beans and lentils.

Leg Cramps at Night -- I haven't hit upon a 100% solution, but for me three essential items are:
1) magnesium (I take mag citrate three times throughout the day... after breakfast and lunch, and the final one is before bed);
2) water or hydration throughout the day -- drink lots; and
3) a good amount of walking.

Usually the above works for me, but sometimes it doesn't. So I'm still searching for the missing key(s).

Please keep submitting what seems to do the trick for you. Thanks!

/LarryG

Magnesium was no help with my nocturnal leg cramps. After reading about pickle juice and mustard, but not wanting to deal with either in the middle of the night, I decided to try vinegar, since it seemed to be the common denominator, doesn't stain and doesn't require refrigeration. I keep a small bottle of white wine vinegar in my bathroom and take a tiny amount (1/2 - 1 tsp, maybe?) if I have cramps. I "walk them off", get back into bed, and it always seems to work. I even travel with a tiny bottle, just in case.