Welcome to NeuroTalk.

That is great that the mag is starting to work for you.

Diabetics lose magnesium daily thru the urine...so you have to keep ahead of that.

Also anyone taking metformin, needs to watch B12 levels. Metformin can interfere with B12 absorption.
Get tested, and you should be at 400pg/ml at least...this is the NEW low normal. Don't accept "normal" from your doctor without the numbers. The labs in US still report very low levels as "normal".

New estimates are that up to 40% of Americans are low in B12 today.

I am lucky..... I have "bouts" of severe muscle cramps. They are severe and unrelentlng for several days, sometimes, a few weeks and then disappear for months. I can't imagine having them more frequently as it is not just the severe pain but the loss of sleep and any rest, too.

I have yet to determine what is causing them. At one point, I thought it was due to dehydration, even slight. Funny that I happened to stumble across this topic today as I am in one of my "bout" sessions of it.

I read the posts on this tread and want to thank everyone that has contributed. My mother spent the last few YEARS of her life suffering terribly with the noctural muscle cramps EVERY night. I do not know how she managed to be such a loving person when she never slept.

Be sure you stay well hydrated, too. My mother suffered terribly with leg cramps EVERY night and was prescribed Quinine. It did absolutely NOTHING to help her. I read somewhere that Quinine was frequently prescribed but has proven ineffective. I don't know if that is true but I do know it did nothing to help my mother. I am not sure I spelled the name correctly but I think close enough for people to recognize the drug to which I refer. Wishing you relief. How long has it been since you have had your electrolytes checked via a blood draw? Low potassium is also a culprit. Keep us informed. Wishing you a restful night and pain relief.

calcium lactate and French's yellow mustard or apple cider vinegar in water before bedtime prevents leg cramps at night.

Go to ** for a full description. I developed this as a sufferer and have been free of cramps for months. I've placed this in the public domain. It has helped friends and family members.

Let me now how you do. algphd

*admin edit* my recipe to prevent leg cramps
Take calcium lactate (100-150 mg Ca) with 1-2 Tbsp organic apple cider vinegar in 1/3 cup of water about 30 minutes before bedtime. You might want to add a Tbsp of honey to help cut the sour taste. French's yellow mustard is also a good source of vinegar if you can't tolerate the cider vinegar.
The calcium opens nerve cell channels to allow the muscle neurotransmitter, acetylcholine to activate the muscle cells. Vinegar contains acetic acid which is needed to form acetylcholine.
You may need just the vinegar, or just the calcium or both. I need both. Try changing the amounts a bit until you find what works for you. This is based on Noble Laureate work by Prof Sudhof at Stanford Univ.
I've now been nighttime leg cramp free for months, and it has dramatically helped family and friends. *admin edit*