Nocturnal Leg Cramps: Night-time Calf Muscle Pain

Nocturnal leg cramps can lead to a rude awakening: You're suddenly sleepless and in pain in the middle of the night. Symptoms of nocturnal leg cramps include excruciating contractions of the calf muscles, and sometimes of the foot muscles as well.

Nocturnal leg cramps are true cramps and not spasms. The muscle remains in a cramped and contracted position, which accounts for the intensity of the pain. If you touch the affected calf, you may be surprised to discover that your muscles feel very hard, almost like concrete, a measure of the power of the cramp.

Studies have shown increased electrical activity in the affected muscles, but doctors still don't know what causes nocturnal leg cramps. In some cases, it may be a fluid imbalance or a vitamin deficiency.

Treatment for leg cramps is straightforward and easy to follow. Avoid tight bed covers, which can lead to pointing of the toes and subsequent cramps. Stretch your calf muscles for about five minutes nightly before getting into bed. If you have a cramp, pull your toes back (don't point them), and, if necessary, put your foot on the floor and lean forward.

Some evidence suggests that a potassium deficiency may cause nocturnal leg cramps. Many sleepers have eliminated their cramps entirely just by making sure they eat plenty of potassium rich foods, including

Bananas, apricots, nectarines, dates, grapes, or raisins

Beans

Cabbage/broccoli family of vegetables

Oranges, grapefruit, and their juice

Pork and lamb

Potatoes and corn

Saltwater fish (for example, tuna)

Tomatoes and tomato juice

Of course, if you wake up with a leg cramp, a banana's not going to do you much good, so here are some tips to relieve cramps immediately:

Apply a hot compress to the cramped muscles.

Massage the cramped muscles.

Stretch and flex. Lie on your back in bed, lift your legs, extend them toward the ceiling, and then point your toes to the ceiling and flex them slowly back toward your calf. Repeat this flex and stretch until the cramps stop. For an extra good stretch, grab your toes while still in this position and pull them down toward your knees. You'll feel this stretch working in the back of the calf muscles.

Other studies have linked cramps to dehydration. Staying adequately hydrated at all times is a good idea for many reasons, so add preventing nocturnal leg cramps to the list. Finally, pregnant women, dieters, people taking diuretics, (medications that increase the amount of urine you produce) and people who've experienced a bout with vomiting and diarrhea may also experience leg cramps because their calcium and phosphorus levels get out of whack. If you fall into any one of these categories and you have a bout of nocturnal leg cramps, consult with your doctor for the best course of treatment.

Comments (55)

Posted by Laurel MAY 10, 2009 | 08:48AM
Standing on a cold floor cures it for me. The muscles are sore afterwards though.

(Report comment)
Posted by Dennis JUNE 24, 2009 | 11:24AM
Sometimes the cramps are so painful you cant even lean forward to grab your toes to pull back, sort of like a electrical shock you end up straightening out your body. My remedy is to just fly out of bed no matter how bad it hurts to step on the floor and lean forwards.

(Report comment)
Posted by Lauren JUNE 24, 2009 | 02:51PM
This happens to me when I run/workout a lot. I chalk it up to dehyrdated with low levels of potassum, magnesium, calcium and sodium. The cramps are often severe, like being stabbed in the calf. I have to jump out of bed, stand up and lean forward. They will go away quickly. I do feel a muscle tightness afterwords. To keep them at bay I try to get in a lot of stretching, replace fluids and eat a banana and something salty after working out, if I slip up, they come back.

(Report comment)
Posted by debby JULY 02, 2009 | 01:25AM
I found that if I eat bananas even cooked in something I am guaranteed to have leg cramps at night. Does anyone know what causes this? It seems totally backwards to everything I read.

(Report comment)
Posted by Danno JULY 15, 2009 | 11:36AM
I always get these after I have been drinking alcohol. It's like a formula for me: drinking alcohol = charley horse

(Report comment)
Posted by Nancy JULY 23, 2009 | 07:19AM
I just started putting bananas in my morning smoothie (I don't like to eat them in general) and last night I had a horrific calf cramp (first time ever). Anyone have any ideas?

(Report comment)
Posted by Mary AUGUST 02, 2009 | 08:32PM
I have been getting leg cramps for years but for the last 3 weeks I have been getting them every morning and this morning was the worse. I had a severe cramp at my upper thigh to my groin also on the calf of my other leg. I applied hot compressors to no avail and took 3 let cramp pills with quinine under the tongue and pain subsided within minutes, purchased over the counter.

(Report comment)
Posted by Laura AUGUST 08, 2009 | 08:46AM
I've found that magnesium supplements can be helpful for tight muscles .

(Report comment)
Posted by leslie AUGUST 08, 2009 | 05:07PM
I had cramps in both legs that occured at the same time... started at the ankle, pain at the shin and up to the knee along with pain at the back of my thighs. I hurt so bad I broke out in a sweat... walked around for about 5 minutes, I could not stand up straight. What in the world???? This is the second time it's happened! I'm almost 50 and try to take a B complex vitaman daily along with eating bananas.... Painful!

(Report comment)
Posted by dana AUGUST 09, 2009 | 03:56AM
Hi, I usually get these like once a year which is making me feel better after reading your comments. I get them at night or in the evening doesn't really matter. It hurts SOOOOO MUCH jezuz they should use it as a torture device :(. Anyhow i usually juss stay still and massage the area. I'm too afraid to get up and stand on it. It just hurts so much.

(Report comment)
Posted by Kasey AUGUST 10, 2009 | 11:54AM
I get these cramps pretty often and I can feel my muscles start to tighten so I start to walk on it before it gets really bad. I've found that if you put pressure on it you will get instant relief as in standing on it or walking around. Also when I eat a bananna it usually accures that night so I don't know if you have to eat just enough of the bananna or what.

(Report comment)
Posted by fred AUGUST 18, 2009 | 10:41AM
my night and morning calf cramps are always relieved fastest by letting the calf finish cramping, massaging it very gently while trying to wiggle the toes of that leg. Then standing and walking help keep it from cramping again. I never stretch a cramp since I've heard it can tear muscle fibers.

(Report comment)
Posted by Haley AUGUST 19, 2009 | 05:30PM
I didn't know these cramps were so common, I've woken up screaming several times from them. I get them mostly when i take afternoon naps though. I just try to get myself standing and pull my toes back.

(Report comment)
Posted by Charlie Maclay AUGUST 21, 2009 | 10:25PM
Now you can all laugh. Several years ago I had leg cramps almost every night and hd to get uop and sgtretch or rub ASpercreme on the calves of my legs. I mentioned it to a cousin from Texas and she suggested I put a bar of ivory soap under the bottom sheet at the bottom of the bed. I did it and except for the one or two times over the past several years that the bar of soap was dislodged and pushed down the side of the mattress I have not had any leg cramps. Give it a try, It only costs a bar of Ivory soap.

(Report comment)
Posted by Bill AUGUST 22, 2009 | 01:45AM
Another use for Ivory soap. I once used a bar of Ivory soap to make an emergency repair on a leaky gas tank in my truck. It got me through the day. An epoxy mix was a more permanent solution. True story. When my legs cramp while in bed I quickly get up and just walk until the muscle relaxes. Messaging the area also helps.

(Report comment)
Posted by donna owen AUGUST 29, 2009 | 01:38AM
My leg and feet (mainly feet) cramps are awful. Happens as I begin to relax at night - significantly more constant as I go to bed. Massaging, stretching, stalks of bananas, and soap do not work. The only relief, I find is eating lots of salt - even drinking straight pickle juice. Now - I know this can't be good for you but that's the only way I get relief. Have gotten in hot hot bath which sometimes helps. Looking to treat cause more than treat symptom. HELP!

(Report comment)
Posted by Carlos AUGUST 29, 2009 | 01:01PM
I get calf cramps at least every 3 months at nigt. I drink about 10 glasses of water each day, I eat one banana each day, I walk about 3 miles each day, I stretch my calf muscles almost every night. Several years ago I was getting them quite often, now they come only 3-4 times per year. My doctor ran a bettery of tests a couple of years ago and told me eveything was fine - and he has no clue why I keep getting these. Last night I got another one -- this one was probably the most painful one I've had and lasted about 3-5 minutes - I stretched my leg hard and bent my toes toward my knee and that helped. I have never tried to stand up while I am hurting (I am afraid I'll hurt more if I stand up) -- But I will try that next time. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

(Report comment)
Posted by Bob AUGUST 30, 2009 | 05:58AM
I have found that the surest way to relieve leg cramps is to stand immediately. If the cramp is below the knee in the calf or foot I flatten my foot on the floor by putting my weight on that leg. If in the thigh, I bend forward from the waist (as far forward as necessary}. This never causes an increase in pain and relieves the tightness immediately and gently. It ALWAYS works. I would love to find as sure a way to prevent them.

(Report comment)
Posted by Jon AUGUST 30, 2009 | 03:35PM
I find myself getting these cramps 1-3 times per night. They have to be the most painful and uncomfortable things i've ever been through. I hate going to sleep at night cause i know i'm just going to wake up in a couple hours to my leg feeling like the muscle is being stretched to the point of ripping. I have not tried any remedy to prevent, or even stop them when they occur. From what i've read, eating bananas and drinking plenty of water before going to bed is not the best solution. My calves are always sore throughout the day and i just really need to find some kind of solution to this problem. Also, i share a room with my brother, and we have a bunk bed and i sleep on the top. I would consider putting pressure on my feet by standing, but unfortunately getting down is nearly impossible.

(Report comment)
Posted by SDrunner SEPTEMBER 05, 2009 | 00:32PM
I used to get these nocturnal leg cramps in my calves and feet quite often when I ran in high school. And I started getting them again when I got back to running this year. I usually just grab my calf and wait for the pain to go away, probably not the best idea. The soreness afterwards is annoying though. I'm thinking it might help to do some running stretches , especially the ones focusing on the calves.

(Report comment)
Posted by Grant SEPTEMBER 09, 2009 | 04:18AM
I have gotten cramps on the front, back, ankle, and feet at the same time in the middle of the night. Sometimes along with the thighs. I have recently started taking Vitamin D capsules with the Potassium tablets I have been taking previously. It seems to been decreasing the frequency of the cramps. Good luck! Aloha, Grant

(Report comment)
Posted by DSteele SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 | 10:24PM
My leg cramps are becoming more frequent. I'm almost certain they are linked to inactivity. Very seldom will one wake me out of a dead sleep, but they're usually triggered when I move suddenly and try to stretch after I've been sleep for a while. I usually hop up really quickly, but then I get suddenly very tired and want to lay down. But I don't dare cause that makes the cramp worse. Problem is the long the cramp goes on, I start to get very sick to my stomach and want to throw up. Then I have to go to the bathroom and have trouble holding it. If that's not enough, I actually fainted once and woke up on the floor. But hey, my leg had stopped hurting by then. So now, I just make myself lay on the floor, try to stretch my legs out, roll around and scream until the pain goes away. This is starting to happen more and more frequently. Stretching does seem to help...I think. I hadn't stretched in two days and I've had bad cramps two nights straight I've had these horrible cramps. I guess I'll have to keep stretching every night and hopefully that will reduce the incidence of these awful cramps.

(Report comment)
Posted by Jackie Creel SEPTEMBER 16, 2009 | 07:49AM
I wake up every night with horrific foot & leg cramps. The doctors do not seem to have an answer. After checking blood levels and everything is in within normal range, they are stumped. I was taking 325mg of Quinine for years and having no cramps at all They have taken this off of the market replacing it with Ropinole or Generic (Requip). I have tried various over the counter meds that have no effect at all. I am up at least 4-7 times every night. With so many people of all ages afflicked with these painful cramps...you would think that someone would run an extensive study on the cause. JHC r

(Report comment)
Posted by M. Smith OCTOBER 06, 2009 | 08:27AM
Leg cramps can be caused by a change of the heel height of shoes. It does not have to be a dramatic change of height, so you men are also included, although women are more likely to have extreme differences in heel heights. Note that the heel height of your dress shoes and whatever you usually wear, or your exercise shoes, may be different, which causes exercise of different muscles in the calf. Also even a small heel is different than walking around in sock feet or barefoot at home all evening. If you are having calf cramps in the night, try wearing the same shoes daily, and in the pm for a while to see if that helps you. If it does, you may need to exercise more for the musculature of both the calf and the feet (which of course won't stop leg pain overnight!), or just wear always the same heel height by buying and wearing slippers with the same heel height you wear during the day around the house instead of socks or barefoot.

(Report comment)
Posted by Richard OCTOBER 10, 2009 | 08:52AM
Woke to a double header (both calfes) this morning. Thought about having my legs taken off at the knees, but decided it would make it too hard to get around during the day!

(Report comment)
Posted by Tonio Bell OCTOBER 27, 2009 | 01:03PM
my leg cramps come from a long basketball practice and just sneak up on me during the night

(Report comment)
Posted by Elaine Sheehan OCTOBER 27, 2009 | 09:19PM
I have suffered from frightful leg and groin cramps for 50 years or more and all that time took quinine tablets. Recent hospital admissions necessitated listing all medications and the registrar condemned quinine as eventually disrupting (or some medical term) platelets in the blood and I should ditch it in favour of magnesium tablets, which I have done. I still get cramps from time to time and live in fear of the next episode. I have an infrared lamp permanently available for relief and a pad I can heat in the microwave if I can get that far. Also,I am very suspicious of fortified wines and NEVER EVER touch sherry. Am surprised at the comments about bananas as I thought they were good fellas.

(Report comment)
Posted by winnie OCTOBER 30, 2009 | 02:28PM
i have a leg cramp like once a month but usually its triggered by inactivity and then sudden movement. fastest solution is to get up and stand on the feet that is cramping or just put pressure on that feet. usually it goes away in a matter of seconds when i do that. i guess i'm a light sleeper because i wake up as i feel a cramp coming so its only a little sore and i go right back to sleep.

(Report comment)
Posted by olguie gonzalez NOVEMBER 03, 2009 | 09:56AM
I used to get leg and foot cramps at night; a very painful experience. So I started to think if I was eating anything new, and indeed, I realized that I had taken to drinking grape juice every night. I checked the internet and discovered that grape juice is high in potassium, which is a good thing, but in excess can produce muscle spasms and cramps. I stopped drinking grape juice every night and gradually but surely, the cramps disappeared. I am so relieved that I wanted to share this with other sufferers. This might not be every oneâÂ€Â™s case, but there could be someone out there who could benefit from this testimony.

(Report comment)
Posted by Crampy Cramperson NOVEMBER 07, 2009 | 10:07AM
One solution that no one has written about is to use compression stockings. Granted, they may not look very chic when one is wearing shorts, but I rarely get leg cramps anymore. Check with a vascular specialist.

(Report comment)
Posted by Sherryl Schaeffer NOVEMBER 07, 2009 | 01:40PM
I have just begun getting these horrible calf cramps in the past month and they are increasing in both intensity and activity (nearly nightly) now. So I am a newbie. However, something I have been doing for years, for ANY kind of cramp, comes from an old wive's tale and I promise it works for me every time. So, LOL again, but here it is: pinch the skin between your upper lip and nose together with your forefinger and thumb and hold until the pain subsides. It is usually fairly quick. Good luck to you all and happy sleeping!:)

(Report comment)
Posted by Patella Knee Cap NOVEMBER 08, 2009 | 02:22AM
Early Friday morning, I was awakened by a cramp in my left calf. I got up and walked it off. I went back to sleep, and when I woke up to start my day, I noticed my right leg hurt whenever I walked. It's weird because a day later, I still have pain. It hurts to touch my right calf, but it doesn't feel swollen. I don't know if anyone has any suggestions on what I should do. I've tried stretching my calf, which hurts to do, but usually works. I've also increased my water intake.

(Report comment)
Posted by Jack NOVEMBER 09, 2009 | 04:28PM
Patella Knee Cap, I have the exact same thing. I started getting cramp in my right calf a few weeks ago every night and throughout the day, my right calf hurt constantly. Once the cramps died down then so did the permanent pain in my calf in the day. Now they are back and my calf is hurting constantly again. I'm not sure of a solution for either problem yet though. I'm thinking about seeing a doctor.

(Report comment)
Posted by Tracie NOVEMBER 12, 2009 | 00:52PM
I've been getting carmps in my calf every night. I finally decided to make a Dr appt for next week. One of my co-workers overheard me and gave the same suggestion as I read above: pinch the skin between your nose and lip with your forefinger and thumb.... Sounds crazy but that's two people, so I'm going to try it.

(Report comment)
Posted by Joe NOVEMBER 19, 2009 | 00:34PM
I too have been getting leg cramps lately at night, and like the rest of you....wake up in pain. For me it only happens when I pass out on the couch...but not everytime of course, about 1-2 times a month. For me, I have to chalk it up to dehydration. I am horrible at drinking water....always go straight to the diet coke, beer, or juice (pretty much anything with flavor)...I know....it is a bad habbit. My sure fire instant releif has been quit the opposite from everyone else. When I wake up from the cramp pain, I get up and lay on the floor on my stomach....weird, but it works and it's better than sleeping with a bar of ivory soap...lol

(Report comment)
Posted by Maggie NOVEMBER 30, 2009 | 04:34PM
Have these horrible foot and leg cramps for the last 25 years. Here is what I found out: many fruits will induce the pain but the worst offender are bananas, tomatoes, strawberries, any jams, preserve, marmalade, sweet cereals, dried fruits. Also every products containing hydrogenated oil will give me cramps on my hands. The way to stop the pain is drinking a bottle or two of water, the pain will disappear within minutes and does not come back. The pain happens only at night while lying down , it starts by cramps in the toes, then the ankles will get very stiff, I call that time my wooden legs, a lot of pain is involved. I will stand up and drink water within minutes the pain will go away. I am starting to think that I might be lacking some kind of enzyme for fructose digestion. No ivory soap for me!

(Report comment)
Posted by Kevin DECEMBER 03, 2009 | 09:54AM
I am posting this comment at 1.50am because I am trying to walk off another bloody cramp. I have tried everything to get relief from cramps all the Mags and Patsm and so on and I have a bottle of Quinine tabs pescribed by my Dr but I am a bit afraid of all the adverse reports about Quinine to take them, but in desperation I may have to.

(Report comment)
Posted by Sleepless Cate DECEMBER 19, 2009 | 05:28PM
I'm writing this at 6:30am which for me is way to early! Like alot of you i get severe leg cramps. When i was younger i would get them maybe every 4-5 months but at the age of 19 ( i think ) i was in a car accident and since then they have slowly gotten worse. I have seen many doctors and heard there is nothing wrong too many times. After being up for 6 hours straight tonight due to the pain i decided to research... I have found out that alot of it is down to an imbalance. I find that when mine hit i jump up like i have just been shot! after the usual crying and blood curdling screams i find stretching helps a little i normally rub deep heat or another warming cream into the area this helps alot and is more practical than a heat pack... I then do the walk around with baby steps ... Like alot of you the pain doesnt go striaght away i find my legs are sore for about 1-2 days and very tender... My parents are both in the medical field and say that tonic water is a good thing to drink to help reduce the risk of them happening as it has a small amount of quinine in it... also powerade or another sports drink as they are high in elecrolyts... I think its time i looked into quinine tablets ... there may be risks but i need the sleep! hope this helps abit guys :)

(Report comment)
Posted by vikas DECEMBER 21, 2009 | 01:27AM
i m suffering from this pblm for 3-4 years. my experience says that it is caused by improper diet or tense life & alomost daily late night awakening. just avoid those above & it will cure it automatically. get well soon. vikas :)

(Report comment)
Posted by Deanna DECEMBER 23, 2009 | 04:06AM
Ok I have had leg cramps off and on for yrs. For the past 5 weeks ever since I had back injections I have had one every morning some days they are minor and I can walk those out, but most days they are killers.. And I mean Killers where all I can do is stand and scream,and cry,beg them to go away, my body shakes uncontrollably, there is no way you can touch the leg,the cramp is so bad I can't walk but I try too.my leg is rock solid and foot is pointing down, But me and my husband found out that if I stick my leg in the hot tub it goes away right away, (untill hot tub broke)anyways what we do now is wet kitchen towels and throw in microwave for 45 -55 secs, then run them to me and wrap them around my calfs, this works great and it is even better with my husband and daughter rotating and taking turns bringing hot towels, cause most of the time when I get a cramp that bad in one leg the other leg starts getting a cramp in the front on the shin and top of foot, I too am stumping doctors, all my blood work is coming back perfect, the blood work says that I am healthy as a horse, now after the killer leg cramps from hell, my calf is so sore I can barely walk for 2-4 days after, now just imagine having this every day for 5 weeks, I too use to take quinine pills but they took them off the market now I take leg cramp pills with quinine but its not as strong and doesn't seem to be helping, I do not want to go to sleep cause I know I will wake up in am with leg cramps, Im at a lost don't know what to do, I feel for everyone having cramps like me, and also feel like Doctors don't understand what it really is like, untill he saw a taped video that we did...

(Report comment)
Posted by Dellfrom DelMar DECEMBER 29, 2009 | 01:58AM
All comments were useful. While on kidney dialysis my cramps were horrible, I would need to walk around and around leaning on something. Got an electric bed, raised the foot of bed very high and slept like that. It helped. Then I began to wear a pair of mens white cotton socks, long and thick. Then I added calcium & magnesium at bedtime, and quinine, 1 cod liver oil capsule. When I got my kidney transplant 3/24/1996 it took six months but I got almost total relief. Still take bedtime minerals and wear socks. Occasionally I get cramps, so I added a firm pillow under my feet. Like above, cannot figure out what causes severe, unrelenting painful cramps. It is almost comforting to read how many people share this condition. Doctors, are you reading/listening?

(Report comment)
Posted by Grant JANUARY 05, 2010 | 03:29AM
When my legs are cold, they are more likely to cramp up. Keep them warm. Balms also help to relieve pain. Aloha, Grant

(Report comment)
Posted by Frank Ferrari JANUARY 05, 2010 | 07:09PM
I'm a 62 y.o. diabetic, who gets leg cramps not on a regular basis but occassionally. I just lift my affected leg up from the bed as high as I can and point my toes toward by belly. The cramp losens and I can go back to sleep. Tonic water has quinine in it and on real cold nights, if I remember,to drink about 4 oz. it helps me to be cramp free.

(Report comment)
Posted by John JANUARY 08, 2010 | 11:05AM
I've been getting these for years. Potassium seems to reduce or eliminate the occurance for me. Hydration isn't it, I am very hydrated. This usually triggers when I stretch my legs while sleeping, but usually a little awake. I used to massage the mussle toward the heart, which what I was told to do when you got a cramp in sports when I was a teenager. I found this seems to work, but leaves an after pain in the lower calf. Now, I found there is like a unlock point I massage on the inside of the leg between the calf muscle and the shin bone. You may feel a small muscle. Rub this back and forth with pressure. The calf will unlock and there isn't any or much lingering pain. I can usually get rid of the pain within 30 seconds (but it seems longer).

(Report comment)
Posted by KPeterkin JANUARY 09, 2010 | 08:24AM
I find that standing bare footed on a cold floor for even a few seconds, any time after 4 o'clock in the evening causes knee craps later in the night. Remedy: wear shoes at all times.

(Report comment)
Posted by Lew Gagen JANUARY 10, 2010 | 11:37AM
I have been fascinated by the various 'remedie's on site - and some diametrically opposed views on treatment also! There are a few I shall try out but, so many people have said they rub their calf or jump straight out of bed and put weight on their foot and so on... When, like last night in bed, I have a serious attack, it is impossible to move from my lying position or even to touch my calf. That seems almost to trigger more violent spasms! Like others it makes me scream out in agony and induces severe sweats while I wait several minutes for it to finish. Again, the calf pain lasts sometimes for several days afterwards. I have taken Quinine 300mgm for years, up from an original 200mgm. and it definitely does reduce the frequency of attacks to severe ones every few months. I am however, frightened at the thought of bed tonight for I fear another attack. Today I have been leg-stretching like crazy - looking for leg pressure stockings - buying potassium tablets (but not too high a dose-uh?)whilst avoiding sherry and bananas! NB: I do take statins and these, dependant on type, can and do cause very bad cramps But can I have a glass of wine or scotch please? So pleased others are sharing this awful syndrome- sorry guys!

(Report comment)
Posted by Todd JANUARY 14, 2010 | 01:59PM
I've had calf cramps for years but they subsided for some reason this past year. A couple of days ago I stopped at the store and did my regular shopping but for some reason I picked up a bunch of bananas... so yesterday I have one in the morning and then one whilst watching american idol... well... 4am BAM! the worse leg cramps in my left calf that I've ever felt... lasted for a good minute... flew out of bed and started the lean forward trick which does help for me... sweat dripping from body... terrible!! Today, leg is so sore that I'm walking some on hit me in the knees with a baseball bat. I'm really starting to think that it has something to do with bananas! It's the only thing that was different and after reading everyones comments here... i'm stunned. what is going on with that? I would love to hear more from everyone about what they think.

(Report comment)
Posted by john JANUARY 16, 2010 | 09:15AM
man I had one last night, I have never in my LIFE had so much pain...I woke up screaming telling my poor wife to massage my calf, she was half asleep to she understood ass..Imagine how much more I had to scream and tell her in Spanish..Im at work and I still feel pain and my muscle moving

(Report comment)
Posted by Cindy JANUARY 25, 2010 | 10:18AM
Haven't had a calf cramp in YEARS....unfortunately had a MAJOR one almost TWO WEEKS ago that brought me flying out of bed....the muscle in that leg is STILL painful and sore....can anyone tell me if this is the usual norm???? Also, does anyone know if it's possible to end up with a blood clot from these cramps????

(Report comment)
Posted by Grant JANUARY 27, 2010 | 02:48AM
I know the secret! You need to exercise! I have been walking/jogging on a treadmill and have not had cramps recently. Try it, it helps!! Good luck! Mahalo, Grant

(Report comment)
Posted by Helen Brandonisi JANUARY 31, 2010 | 10:25AM
50 answers - wow. I get them when I first ride my bike after the winter. I get them when I sub at a sedentary job. I get them from exercising. They told me to stretch. I think that caused the cramps last night. I got a very severe thigh cramp two days ago followed by the other thigh cramp right after. I've tried high potassium foods now I'm going to try more water.

(Report comment)
Posted by Maria Navarro FEBRUARY 01, 2010 | 09:44AM
Horrible calf cramps at night two days in a row, something that used to happen only now and then. How distressing to read that doctors can't do anything. I'm very active; walk, hike, visit the gym regularly, hydrate well, stretch afterwards and so on. I also take vitamins, plus a banana every day (in the morning)...but, I must confess, have been derelict with my magnesium and calcium pills; run out of them and haven't bought again. Must do so! I sense that this lack may be the cause. I also have had colon cramps at times. Horrible! This seems to be due to dehydration, so I upped my water intake and haven't had any lately. But the calf cramps....Of course, my poor husband wakes up and helps with massage until I can bend my foot to stand on the floor. I'll resume my intake of magnesium and calcium and report back. It may be as simple as that, at least for me but it may work for others as well. I'll also keep in mind the "pinching between the upper lip and nose" cure...You never know; if the idea has survived it could be valid. Maybe just refocusing attention from the calf pain to the face pain, if you pinch hard enough? Lol! I'll try anything.

(Report comment)
Posted by Ed Simms FEBRUARY 02, 2010 | 05:17AM
For people who suffer from constant, severe calf and/or foot cramps at night try this: 1:Increase the amount of water you drink during the day.. not just before you go to bed. 2: Take Vitamin D & Potassium supplements. (You don't need large dosages) 3: Take a calcium/magnesium supplement. The best bet is to buy a cal-mag combo (both calcium and magnesium in one tablet). Make sure the ratio is 2:1 (2 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium.) For best absorption read the label and look for the word "Chelated". It will cost more, but the absorption rate for chelated cal/mag is far better than non-chelated.. Cal/mag sourced from oxides has the lowest absorption rate. A good compromise is cal/mag from citrates. Not as good as chelated, but better than oxides. It takes a couple of weeks for there to be noticeable effects.. it doesn't work overnight. But you should notice a difference.. It worked for me.

(Report comment)
Posted by Factor V FEBRUARY 04, 2010 | 11:40AM
Compression stockings help, but had severe cramping while removing them this morning. High risk for blood clots keeps me worrying about the cramps. Friends in medical profession have suggested checking for adequate circulation or blood clots. Nothing seems to help other than jumping up and stretching when it happens. Good luck

(Report comment)
Posted by Maria Navarro FEBRUARY 06, 2010 | 10:08AM
UPDATE to my Feb.1/2010 post. It's been almost a week. I have resumed taking the calcium-magnesium-zinc combination (in one pill) and it seems to be helping. Not a single night cramp, or even hint of one, since. I take the pill about an hour before bed. Calcium, 1 g - (1000 mg) Magnesium, 400 mg. Zinc, 25 mg. I think, that in my case, this was the solution. Worth trying!

(Report comment)