A Banana daily for the magnesium in it used to ward off the nighttime leg cramps. Now a Magnesium and Calcium combined supplement seems to help. When it doesn't; one, Ibuprofen (400mg) helps. This has been an intermittent problem from my 40 to 70's and each time it returns it is more severe and covers larger areas of the arms and leg muscles. Particularly in wet or humid weather.

I was getting very severe muscle cramps in my legs and above my knees. They would tighten up and hurt so bad I couldn't do anything but scream and rub my leg. I had it so bad one night, if I could have gotten up to get my gun, I would have used it! [I think] After I stopped using ALL sweeteners [not real sugar] my leg cramps stopped. However, recently I have been getting them again due to my lack of Potassium. I was put on 40 MG of Lasix. There is something one can take that is guaranteed for milder leg cramps or “Charlie Horse" as I've heard it referred too. Quinine really works!! One of my problems is I don't drink enough liquids! Hope this helps someone, because I can't think of anything more painful then muscle cramps in the keg or thigh-at least the kind I was getting!

I have been tortured by severe leg cramps for a few years. Quinine does help many people and can be found in tonic water, but unfortunately, it is not strong enough for me. I have tried many remedies and for me it is pickle juice. The cramp sets off a chain reaction moving from my feet, to my legs and even my back--absolute agony. But I've found that the cramps usually stop within few minutes after drinking pickle juice and go away for a few hours or so. The amount depends on the person; for me it's about 6 oz. I get leg cramps simply from walking around--the more I walk, the worse my cramps. I think the brine in pickles stop cramps, not the vinegar.

Why drink vinegar for acute muscle cramping? Cramping responds wonderfully in an acute situation by washing the cramped muscle with a liberal amount of non diluted cider vinegar and waiting 5 to 10 minutes. The muscles relax and there is no residual aching. Try it it works..

I began having leg cramps as a teenager, especially in the thigh muscles. I could get no help from doctors, but I asked a naturopathic doctor about it. His research turned up the idea that it is a result of a deficiency of Vitamin E. At that time, Vitamin E was not available, but he recommended a spoonful of wheat germ oil each day. That helped immensely. After Vitamin E became available, I found that I need at least 800 I.U. per day. Others will have to experiment to find their best dosage. I am now 82 and this has been my experience.

Magnesium taken twice a day seems to help my muscle cramps. Statins seem to increase the cramps.

I have cramps almost every night in my feet and sometimes in my calves. I try sleeping with socks on to keep my feet warm, which seems to help some, but the only way I get rid of the cramps when they start is to get up and drink dill pickle juice.