I also had bad muscle spasms at night until I started to take two 500mg of Magnesium Glycinate and upped my water intake. ( I took the Magnesium at night before bed time).
Putting a washcloth or small hand towel rung out in hot water, helped take the spasm away, or made them somewhat tolerable.

Thank you for your reply and empathy🌺.
I do want to say that taking magnesium (malate) is stated in my post. Have been taking it for over 10 yrs or so, originally "prescribed" to help with sleep issues and anxiety by a very knowledgeable rheumatologist who emphasized using drugs as little as possible. So that supplement is taken every evening after dinner along with the ALA, cyclobenzeprine (for fibromyalgia), losartan and metoprolol succinate ER and low-dose aspirin for cardiac issues. I can't say that the magnesium helps with the cramps since those were present (at a lesser degree for a while, then intensified) for several years even while taking the supplement. And then other chronic pain and medical issues cropped up that compounded sleep issue. It's the saying of "taking ones to forward and going two step backwards"... Nevertheless, I still take it since my system has assimilated it for so many years, and I don't want to discover what would happen without it. Extensive research has convinced me that it's best not to exclude it from my regimen. (The sagacious doctor who prescribed it has unfortunately retired, so I have lost an incredible source of knowledge.) And as I also stated in my post, I'm at a loss as to why the crushing cramps diminished within the last year or so, both in degree and frequency, but they have, for which I've been definitely grateful! Interestingly, the cramps that I've had in my left leg have originated in the ankle area that has been diagnosed by neurologist as Complex Regional Pain syndrome. Those start as a hot, sharp, burst of pain that electrifies outward and up the leg and into the thigh. Past cramps (prior to the ankle trauma) have not been hot, just damned painful.

Yesterday, while at supermarket I had a new pain experience that literally stopped me on the spot. (I deliberately plan for no more than total of 1 hr standing/walking to avoid increase of burning nerve pain in ankle/foot.) We had been in the store no more than 20 minutes when a nasty Pain Level 7 nerve pain suddenly emerged on the underside of left foot and made me buckle. That's the foot with CRPS and the 24/7 burning nerve pain. It felt almost like having a TENS machine set at a painfully high level. The pain made me nauseous, and I could not put weight on that foot. My husband and I waited a few minutes, with me bearing weight on RIGHT foot while nearly draped over the cart, until pain diminished. We were at the front of the store, near self-checkout, so we went to the nearest station with what was already in the cart, and left. The underside of left foot was sensitive and sore for balance of the day, nerve pain ebbing on and off. I applied a pain cream that my incredible podiatrist had compounded for me (filled and mailed via a pharmacy in another state). It is not a magnesium cream, rather it has several elements in it. Expensive, but generous size pump-container, and it dispenses the recommended dose per pumping action. Very effective. Originally prescribed by him for the mega-pain caused by three neuromas and hammer toe.

As for costochronditis: Yes, I've experienced that as well (about 4 times, first was in early '90s), but that pain is definitely distinct, not at all the cramping that I now experience as a horrid knot in a specific area WITHIN the abdominal space. Costochronditis and I are unfortunately well acquainted. The torso cramps are different and scarier, knotting deep in the abdomen. They are similar in nature to the coiled, vicious cramps that form and grip my feet up to thighs.

Every night, and several times throughout the day, I do exercises learned from my wonderful physical therapist, to release/relax tendons, muscles, joints in my lower tors. I strongly believe that they contribute to the less-intense, fewer in frequency, cramps in appendages (which yes, sometimes can and have happened during the day as well). Before retiring for the night, I lay on my back, tush wiggled up against the wall in the family room, and rest my legs straight up against the wall. Feels so good! I definitely recommend it.

I am grateful for periods of what some might label as "dull and boring" because for me that means no medical drama of any kind.😊

May you enjoy whichever holiday you participate in.🌺

Jerrysgirl3: Could you please tell me what kind of magnesium cream you use? Is it an OTC product? Compounded prescription? I could sure use some that worked!