Nocturnal Leg Cramps - Help!

In addition to stretching, hydration, Potassium, and Magnesium, and setting an alarm to get up in the night for more stretching, this "creation" has helped me in reducing both the severity and the frequency of night time leg cramps that always occur for me in my calf down to my ankle or foot. Never above the knee.

I got a regular sock of mine and a piece of fleece (could be any fabric) 3 inches wide and 64 inches long (I'm 5' 5"). I wrapped the end of the fleece around where the ball of my foot is on sock 2x and sewed it on. Not so tight as to restrict my foot movement within the sock. Did not want to make the tube of the sock tighter.

That left nearly 5 feet of "tail." I made sure I aligned the tail so it streamed off the bottom of the sock, then came over my toes on the top of the the middle of the sock. I sewed all that on the sock to anchor it. Again, I did not want to make it too tight. The sewing on the top of the sock stops about half way between my toes and ankle, leaving the tail free.

When I have the start of a cramp in the night, I pull the tail toward me so my toes are pulled toward me. This flexing of my toes, stretching my calf helps alleviate the cramp.

So that the tail is always within reach of my hand, I run it up my leg and through my underpants and out the top of my pj bottoms. The top of the tail then hangs near my hand, within easy reach. Since I get cramps only on one side from past injuries, I only have one of these "creations" but you could have two.

Since I made this in June, just wearing it has somehow reduced my night cramps to 2 times in 6 months instead of once every 10 nights. I don't know how it could be preventive other than something psychological or that my right foot feels a little different inside this "creation" and that sensation has some effect on the nerves. Who knows? But the 2 times I've gotten cramps in the night, I just pulled on the tail, which flexed my foot and the cramp did not last long. In the past the cramps could come in waves for 20-30 minutes. Sometimes I'd be screaming. Also, the two times after pulling on the tail, I was not hobbled for the next several days after the cramp, which used to happen a lot, probably because the cramps used to become much more severe without the quick intervention.

RE: Theraworx--I tried it for about 2 weeks and got cramps. Maybe it takes longer?

This concept is great but I am having a hard time visualizing the sock. Can you post a picture? I can’t seem to understand how to sew the tail on it so you can still allow your foot into the sock.

I sent you a PM @dixiedog on how to contact me for a pic of the sock. I do not believe I am able to post a picture here, or I'd just do that.

Hi @elsie37 you are able to post pictures. As you can see in the attached screenshot, right above the text box where you write out your post there is a "Photo/Files" button. Simply click on that button then select the image from your files that you would to be included in your post.

Of course. There's the photo/files right there in front of me. When I pull on the end of the string, my toes flex, stretching my calf.

Good morning , Crampers!

Been experiencing calf, and most currently ankle, cramps when in bed at night. They don't go away by doing stretches in bed... lately I have to get up and walk for a couple of minutes to get relief. Pain level / intensity can be 5-6... IOW, it hurts!

Senior male, early 70s, not overweight, workout (walk, weight train and use resistance bands) regularly, eat well, drink lots of water, take Mag, Potassium, use sea salt, and generally I'm in pretty good shape.

Usually the cramps are on my left leg / ankle, but the last few days it's been on the right ankle. When all this first started it was in my calves.

Saw the suggestions re: pickle juice, green alcohol and Theraworx. Any other thoughts from the group?

Read that the latter product may take two weeks or more to work. I'm a little skeptical of it as I ingest plenty of Mag (Mag Water -- throughout the day, and also take Mag Citrate -- 400 mg daily after dinner)... and noted that the active ingredient in Theraworx is magnesium sulfate.

Thanks!

/LarryG

@larryg333

Hi,

Instead of Magnesium citrate take Magnesium Glycinate 400. MG Glycinate binds with an amino acid called glycine which has a calming effect on the body and also may promote better sleep. It is less of a laxative than citrate. I only take one (the dosage is 2) about an hour before bedtime. It’s has eliminated any muscle cramps for me which I used to have occasionally . I remember those nights walking around and yep..they hurt

I think you will notice the difference in a few days.

FL Mary

Thanks much for your recommendation, Mary.

Glad to hear you've found a way to conquer this nocturnal beast!

/LarryG

Vicks Vapo rub helps me, and Requip. I don't advise taking quinine or anything that has it. Ive heard that magnesium soaks are good. Good luck!

Stretches in bed? I was careful NOT to do that as stretching my legs would bring on painful cramps in my calves, which I'd then rub to relieve. However, I no longer have cramps since I take "magnesium lysinate glycinate chelate" daily. The brand I use is Doctor's Best High Absorption Magnesium. Works for me, thank goodness!