Today my doctor told me to take Emergen-C every morning.

Actually, warming up will not relieve th cramps. I get them once or twice a week. It is usually a buildup of lactic acid that causes the problems. More potassium seems to help (more bananas). Walking it off at night does the trick most of the time. I use a product called Theraworx (get the form, it is easier to work with), a topical that also seems to help. I have done searches online and cannot seem to come up with a medical "cure."

Dill pickle juice for leg cramps,and you might increase the Calcium from milk or cheese? The foot ball teams have pickle juice ready for the players.

Be careful when using supplements, one can overdo it, I was taking potassium in the summertime and had to quit because I had a high potassium count and it was affecting my kidneys and as a result of that I have high blood pressure. Now that my levels are down my blood pressure is near normal. Just a precautionary thought.

Lovely picture. Cramps often a mineral issue. Drinking water without added electrolytes can exacerbate the issue. I ran across an Old Amish Formula and put some in my athletic drink along with with E-lyte by BIOBODY . The Amish formula contains cider vinegar and ginger and garlic juice. Works very well(within a minute) on those sudden night time in bed stretch induced cramps. Also make sure the essential fatty acids are taken.

My doc says heat is nice but has no therapeutic effect. Suggests eating a bananna (magnesium?) And ice or frozen peas pack.

For me, drinking LOTS of water and eating bananas does the trick.

As others have suggested also consider a shortage of magnesium for either cramps or "restless leg syndrome" -- but you're probably right; insufficient warm-up. I'd still soak in epsom salts though (magnesium is better absorbed topically for many people rather than via supplement pills). Can't hurt, is soothing, and may help.

I do two things: I take one teaspoon full of Magnesium citrate powder named Calm each evening and one glass of warm room temperature water before bed. It makes me get up at night but no cramps.

Ouch I feel for you, I have occasionally have had muscle cramps in my calf ,for most of my life but very infrequently,,happens maybe 3 or 4 times in a row and then disappears for a years or so,,I just get up and get weight on it asap as it hurts like hell then rub it after wards and it is gone,but sure wakes you up quickly when it happens , Love all the advice given , Hope you do not get any back for a long while

I feel you! Lifelong diabetes has damaged major nerves and muscles in my legs. I take magnesium, cheap pills from CVS, for the cramps that used to lift me out of deep sleep. It is a long-term remedy, not instant relief.

My remedy(successful)...cut back on dairy...daily banana, orange, radishes, cucumbers(these are things I like)...potassium pill each morning...glass of V8 each day...remarkable improvement...

I didn't know for many years that standing or walking will stop cramps almost immediately

Potassium or quinine found in quinine water mixers

I’ve been prone to calf cramps while stretching in bed since I was a kid. I take potassium but still get them from time to time. I was told at an early age to rub it out. But that never worked. It was just painful. Only a couple years ago someone told me to walk it off. I was amazed that Standing up and walking brought near-instant relief.