Severe leg cramps: How do you relax severe leg cramps?

I will try the pickle juice. Leg cramps wake me up about an average of 9X a night. The left is so bad that I scream before I waken. I tried magnesium supplements; they destroyed my stomach...cramps, bathroom issues. I use leg pumps 1 hour every night for lymphatic disorders. I do PT exercises on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I eat healthy. I don't know what else to do.....

@gailmarienewton Phosphoric acid causes leg cramps. Its in dark sodas; Pepsi, Coke, Dr. Pepper , Diet dark sodas, bottled teas. It is not in clear sodas; Sprite, 7-Up. Its also found in certain processed foods under different names; phosphorus etc... Google for more info. My mother had severe leg cramps we stopped buying her Coca Cola and within a couple weeks the leg cramps stopped.

@gailmarienewton The reason why phosphoric acid causes leg cramps is because it floods the body and the body tries to counteract it by taking the magnesium and potassium out of the muscles that's why you get leg cramps. It is even worse for people that have kidney issues.

@jireland I don't drink any soda and eat zero processed foods. But....I thank you for trying.

Have had leg cramps for years. Started out mainly with bad cramping in my feet, toes tweaking in all directions, etc. Would wake me, and I could stand up and work the cramps out of my feet and toes. Walking a lot, for me, usually causes them. Like shopping at the mall, etc., by the time I get to the car, my feet are cramping really bad. I try to work them out and also take my shoes off (even though my shoes are not too tight.) I also get what I consider "restless leg" syndrome at night. My legs don't really hurt but ache and throb making it impossible to go to sleep.
I have driven commercial vehicles for decades. A lot of the equipment is old and not well maintained. I am also on the small side, having to tweak my body to make my feet reach the throttle, clutch, and brake. That, I know for a fact, has wreaked havoc on my legs and body. So, over the years, I have dealt with it, drinking pickle juice, eating bananas, etc.
Last year, I went to work for a company that has the absolute worst equipment I have ever driven. It was the cause of me starting to have severe leg and feet cramps. The throbbing would wake me at night and sometimes were as bad as bare down labor pains. I tried various OTC pills specific to solving the problem. Finally, I tried taking one a day, Magnesium 250 mg. At my worst, it gave me relief. I continue to take it!
Whenever I take pills, I try to eat a little something to coat my stomach so not to get an upset stomach. I do not have any side effects from it. Others, of course, should check with their doctors to make sure it is okay for them to take it. I also did leave the company which helped too. My legs still do the "restless leg" thing which is annoying but not really painful. Seems like it is worse the more active I am.
Did have a bone scan and turns out I have osteoporosis in low back and neck. I need to be evaluated now to find out what I should be doing to stop the progression. I cannot take an MRI and my medical doesn't do "contrast" so don't know what they'll do to evaluate it. Sadly, now wish that I had taken my recommended dose of calcium & D3 years ago. Have started taking my calcium now. Guess it's better late, than never.
Hopefully, you will find relief from this problem.

@grannytrucker

My leg cramps usually happen in the middle of the night and are so painful that I have to keep a walker by my bed to, painfully, force myself to stand and stretch out the muscles. Walking is the only thing that stops the cramps. I have found that if I'm negligent about taking Magnesium supplements, I tend to get these cramps. It's important to understand the difference between various Mg supplements. The least expensive ones, Mg oxide and citrate, do not help relieve cramps. I use Mg glycinate.

@gailmarienewton
Please read my response to granny trucker.

@gailmarienewton
You likely used Magnesium oxide or Mg citrate. One or both of these forms are included in bowel preparations. To get. more Mg into your muscles, you must use Mg glycinate or Mg laminate. Also, try to include more food sources of Magnesium in your diet. Multivitamin supplements do not contain enough magnesium as their percentage is Ca:Mg is 2:1. We need at least the same amount of Mg as Ca. Additionally, many multivitamin preparations use cheaper forms, like Mg oxide or citrate which do not help relax muscles.

@nk4
Did not know that. Thanks.
I did look on my supplement facts and mine said as magnesium oxide 250 mg. I know they did help me when mine were severe. Will check that out next time I buy some.

@nk4
I will read all of the responses but I'm headed out the door at the moment. Definitely will take some notes for when I purchase some more magnesium. I appreciate all the helpful information!