How to eliminate nocturnal leg cramps

Have your tried electrolyte water instead of just magnesium? My wife uses this to control her nocturnal leg cramps. Also, do you exercise or stretch before you retire? Putting your leg muscles to work before bed can fatigue them, which may help decrease your leg issues. When your nervous system shoots messages to your peripheral leg muscles they may not react by cramping and let you sleep. At least this is my belief as a past sufferer of nocturnal leg cramps. I get them from cold or rainy weather when my legs and feet get cold. I wear socks to bed in the winter months and make sure my legs are warm with an additional blanket too. Good luck.

I have a blood disorder that makes my feet numb. I also started to get strong cramps in the leg at night. I do stretching and massage before bed, use a foam roller to loosen/free facia and muscles in lower leg, and get acupuncture every six weeks or so. I still have the numbness but the contractions largely stopped.

Thanks for the advice. Most welcome. Cold can sometime restrict arteries and I have read that vascular restriction can cause cramping. Your experience with that is interesting.
I have tried electrolyte drinks (even though all my electrolyte nutrients are normal according to my blood tests). I’d like to not take the magnesium. I’ve been doing it for 6 years and my level are ‘normal’ (but high for my age group).
I’m wondering if it is part of the problem (like the B6) but I don’t know how to break the cycle.
I’m thinking vascular issues and/or inflammation may be influencers as the pain is only in both lower legs in places of previous injury.
I’ll try more exercise but previously it’s added to the inflammation and I’ve stated to avoid it. Sigh.
A warm bath and anti inflammatory gel helps.
Thanks for sharing your experience.

Interesting. ‘Julese’ just talked about cold feet.
I’m suspicious that a have some vascular issues.
I appreciate you sharing your experience.
I’ll look for a foam roller (or get my lower legs massaged). I’m assuming you use an upward motion (from ankle to knee?).
Last winter I put in an electric blanket with a foot zone. I’m not a fan of electric blankets but making the foot of the bed warm (then turning it off) was helpful.

Thank you

It wouldn’t surprise me if you had a circulation issue. I only started to get this stuff during the last year when my platelet levels increased. Yes, use foam roller from ankle to knee. A tennis ball might work too.

I had a massage therapist teach me how to get rid of leg cramps . Take the side of your hand and hit across the middle of your foot on the bottom it knocks the leg cramp out everytime and I’m one that used to get them a lot, so I’m speaking from experience it does work . If you have a spouse that can do it it does better

Wow that’s out of left field!
So side of hand - karate style ‘chop’ and across the width (shortest) part of the foot? Whilst I am reticent -due to a sore knee (broken the same time as the ankle) - I’m not adverse to trying an unconventional technique.
Worth a shot. I’m sure my husband won’t mind if I ask him to hit my foot. I think he is as tired as I am of my crankiness due to lack of sleep.
I’ll get the calves massaged first (suggested by eloise999) and end with a karate chop. I’ll report back.

@lorry yes karate chop across the middle of the foot usually 4-5 hits. I just had to have my wife hit mine. You can do your own in a pinch but better if legs are straight out. I have also used the back of the heel of the opposite Foot to hit the middle of the other foot as well. Good luck !

My method: Take hold of the toes of the affected foot with both hands and pull toward you. Works every time for me.

I have been getting my legs massaged (firmly) ankle to knee) about 5 minutes each night using massage oil. Then rubbing an anti-inflammatory gel (I use Voltaren) on my injured foot. I’ve added a few of @sbtheplumber1 ‘s karate chops to the sole of each foot. I’ve been putting the heat section at the foot of the bed’s electric blanket on low for about an hour before I get in (then turn it off).
Three nights without cramps! I know it’s early days but I wanted to thank everyone for their ideas and sharing their experiences.
I’m fairly sure I have vascular issues in lower legs as well as the peripheral neuropathy caused by B6 toxicity (that I am still detoxing from). In my case I think inflammation is also playing a part.
At least three things working together creating malfunction.
The biggest lesson I have learned so far is there is no ‘one size fits all’. Each person and case is unique.
Be careful of anything that comes in a jar and even if you think it’s a ‘natural’ supplement, I you take a pill and your doctor asks “What are you taking” don’t say, “Nothing”. We are just learning how toxic supplements can be and how powerful the advertising sector of the multi-billion dollar ‘supplement industry’ is.