So every night I eat 3 large pickles before I turn in for the evening. one night I forgot to eat my pickles and my leg started cramping. Does eating pickles really make the leg cramps stay away? I hope so, I have upped my intake to 4 large pickles now for fear of the pain I suffered!

I suffered with terrible foot and leg cramps for over 50 years from the time of my childhood. I went to various doctors who prescribed medication, herbal remedies, quinine water, etc. While some of these things helped marginally, I was always plagued by the problem, making my nights a misery, and finally forcing me to have to sleep in the only pair of sandals I found that held my feet in a fairly uncramping position at night. When the manufacturer of those shoes discontinued the style, I panicked. In desperation I turned to a spiritual healer who actually could clear the cramping. But it came back in short order, no matter how often he tried.

THEN A MIRACLE HAPPENED. I noticed that I had an abundance of cramping while staying with some vegetarian friends. My diet while I was with them was overrun with cranberries, strawberries, grapes and cherries, which I had a penchant for. Stuffing myself on their fruits, I suffered miserably while I stayed with them. The day after my return I noticed a decrease in my cramping. Then I drank some mixed berry tea. Immediately my feet started cramping up, and it finally clicked. I had always loved fresh fruit, especially berries and grapes of all kinds. Researching the subject I found that this type of produce is generally sprayed with a pesticide that has been known to cause seizures in some cases. In my case it only caused the cramps. Also, many tea leaves are sprayed with a similar substance.
I immediately stopped ingesting any of these items unless they were organic in origin. My cramping went down to almost nothing. I did have the Spiritual Healer clear me again, but basically I have had almost no cramps since I took this course of action.
Apparently this also applies to some nuts, and some syrups that come from trees that are exposed to this substance.
You have nothing to lose. If you currently eat any of these foods, or drink non-organic teas (even green or white teas) you could be reacting to the pesticide. Try stopping and see if you are successful too.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! P.S. It has been suggested to me that coffee bean might also be sprayed in some places, which might be the real reason that cutting down on coffee helps. If you drink coffee, try the organic ones and see if it makes a difference for you.

Here’s a link to a Q&A by Dr. Richard Lee of Harvard Heart Letter about medications - including statin drugs - that can cause leg cramps as a side effect:

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_10343721

Many individuals have had the experience of having a peaceful night of sleep interrupted suddenly and without warning by a ‘charley horse’ cramp in some part of their leg or foot, and to make matters worse there is often residual pain even after the cramping has disappeared. Although these cramps happen to people of all ages, two-thirds of those over age 65 have them at one time or another.

Possible reasons for leg/foot cramps may be: poor circulation, lack of enough salt, dehydration, abnormal mineral or hormone levels, pinched nerves, alcohol or tobacco use, partially-obstructed flow of blood to the legs, nutritional deficiency, environmental toxicity or chemical sensitivity. Read more

I live in a city.Sometimes I feel a scratch seen on my right leg than 20 seconds later very big cramps on this leg.What must ı do for this cramps? can you help me?

Lavender oil and clary sage are great for cramps. Its very soothing both physically and mentally.

My late husband suffered terribly from leg cramps. A holistic daughter suggested that he drink tonic water. It seems that the quinine in the tonic water is what relieves the cramps. My husband drank a quart a day - it worked beautifully.

Soaking in vingar (1 cup) in the bathtub seemed to help my cramping… it is an old wives tale my grandmother told me… and it seems to work

I had muscle spasms in my legs several months ago. They wouldn’t happen every single night, but about 4 nights a week. If you’ve ever had them you know how painful they can be, especially when you are trying to relax and get to sleep. I mentioned it one day to my neighbor who had the same problem and was told to take 2 vitamins to help these leg cramps.

Calcium and Magnesium are both found in leafy green vegetables. Calcium is found in sardines, and orange juice, along with dairy products. Magnesium can be gotten from eating beans, seeds and nuts. If you don’t get enough of these vitamins, your legs can cramp.

Quinine, found in tonic water, relaxes muscles. So try this as well, or you can get a prescription from your doctor.

What is the quickest way to lessen the pain from a charlie horse?