Best nighttime cramp/charley horse remedies?

I keep tonic water in mini bottles right next to my bed!! I drink it as soon as cramping starts.

I've had to have my hubby literally hold my shins tight the pain has been so intense (warm hands help relax the pulling)

If it's really bad I jump in a hot shower or bath.

My dr had me taking magnesium but it really made me sleepy--when it was time to get up.

When my sibling got them during chemo, the nurse told her to put a bar of soap between the sheets/blankets. She doesn't know why it works but it does!

My DH gets them all the time and tonic water is the only thing that helps him.

Have you had your iron checked? I am anemic but my iron levels are improving. I've noticed fewer muscle cramps. I also take magnesium and am not sure which is helping more (iron levels or the magnesium, or something else). I get foot cramps very easily as well as cramps in my jaw when yawning. Those are horrible. I hope I never have one again.

Have you tried a foot roller? DH used to get them a ton and did Magnesium for awhile. He went for a massage and the therapist told him to buy a roller for his feet. Or you could use a small ball - lacrosse or tennis ball size. He was also a leg crosser and has since stopped crossing his legs and that seems to have helped too. I don't think he has taken Magnesium in over 6 months.

I don't think it really matters.  Since we prefer Coast that's what we had on hand so that is what he uses.  I think if you Google it you'll find many different brands recommended.

Tonic water is what my husband's doctor recommended.

I have also been told that a teaspoon of yellow mustard will stop the cramp immediately. Eat the mustard don't apply it to the cramp! Lol

The only thing that has ever worked for me is to flex my toes toward me as much as I can.  Sometimes I pull the front of my foot up toward my calf.  It eases the crap pretty quickly.  I had a wake me up bad one last night and that's what I did.

My Mom drinks smart water and feels like that has been helpful. I am not sure if it is the same as tonic water.

Hope you get some relief soon!

Another vote for trying a bar or two of soap in the bed. We use dual for the bed!

Mary K

I had them when I was pregnant and asked my doctor what to do. She told me I would think she was crazy, but to remember it the next time they woke me up in the middle of the night... grab your upper lip right in the middle as far up as close to your nose as you can get, thumb under your lip and pointer finger on the outside. Squeeze your fingers together, pinching your lip hard and breathe slow and deep for 10 - 20 seconds. Sounds strange, but it does the trick. Worked for me every time. 

Years ago someone told me to eat a slice of cheese when this happened. It seems to work. Maybe it is just my mind tricking me. I have also heard to stand on a cold tile or stone floor.

That's what a former co-worker of mine said to do a few years back and wow I'm so thankful for her mentioning that! I had a really bad one this morning when I woke up and I was half awake trying to wake up enough to lift my foot up in that way to relive the pain. My toe has been cramping up lately, only at work. I call it swimmers toe because it cramps up and curls over another toe when I swim and I had to pry them apart with my hand. And now my right foot is starting to cramp up all of sudden at the ankle. It's like I started thinking muscle crap? and my body was like, yes! In your ankle  

I get up immediately and bear all my weight on the affected side to make them go away.

I wear compression hose when I work my 12 hour (closer to 13 hour) nursing shifts. Calves are still sore but not as bad. If I go without my calcium/ vit. D supplement, they worsen also.
I do a lot of stretches and foam rolling as well.

Haven't heard of the spoonful of mustard trick. Interesting.