I have some "scientific" speculations on another older thread, than the link, that Chemar gave.

The soap trick does go away as the bar ages, so I think it is absorbing some sort of airborne toxins we give off.

Think about this: at night a good portion of our bodies are in contact with the sheets and mattress. During the day, only the feet and perhaps buttocks are blocked during normal activities.
If some toxins are being given off from our skin we are not aware of, then they may build up and give signs like pain perceptions and muscle cramps. When we sleep we are moving less also, and hence the by products of metabolism are slowed way down, as they are trying to be eliminated.

I was reminded of this when we lost our power, and I just could not lie down during that 90 degree heat!

I did some research on that thread, and found interesting biochemical things:
This is the original longer thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ighlight=Ivory
This is the chemical stuff:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post373902-14.html

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post376064-88.html

from http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?scri...0400009&lng=pt

I've been following the recent posts in this thread with interest.

On the subject of doctors, it's best not to get me started. I have no respect for them and, as soon as they detect that, they start to treat me shabbily. Furthermore, they all have the same m.o.: They examine, diagnose and treat what they want to, not what is there. They know before they meet you what they are going to look for, and if they don't find it, they pass you along to the next doctor. They pretend at empirical examination and make gestures toward objective analysis ("I can't say a word to you about your condition until we run these tests!"), but they will not countenance too many questions from patients. They want the examination to be about their pre-prepared "schedule" of questions and that's it. In fact, I've been "fired" by doctors who objected to my questions. P.S. I've had only one doctor in the last 30 years -- a podiatrist -- who said, "Okay, let's not redo the tests. Let's talk." He was also the only doctor who ever said that chronic pain was unacceptable and had to be addressed.

On the subject of stashing a bar of soap in your bedding to prevent foot cramps: This seems like a long shot to me, although it is curious that my foot cramps happen 97% of the time at night and in bed (3% of the time they happen while I am driving).

Has anyone tried those Asian pads you stick to your feet at night and supposedly suck the toxins out while you sleep. I had gotten a free sample once and when i woke up it was black. Only had the one so it could be a gimmick, maybe not. Don't know what they were called

I have learned so much in my battle with small fiber and larger fiber nerve diseases. I am finally losing control and hope I can help you and as many as possible feel better........ Mustard helps cramps anywhere at anytime. Take a teaspoonful. Over the counter potassium pills are not very helpful. Eat Sweet potatoes, V-8 juice, bananas, almonds, boxed milk on the inner isle shelves...and much more. Prescription potassium is helpful. I hope we can talk again. Let us know how you are dealing with this.
ps.....Nothing with the water affected my cramping one way or the other. Water is so good and necessary for everything else!

"Mustard helps cramps anywhere at anytime."


What form of mustard? The condiment? Capsules? Mustard seeds?

Thanks.

Just plain French's mustard! Please let me know if it helped you. Hunters use it when they walk a lot.

Ah, my memory just kicked in. I tried that. Alas, it didn't work for me.

But I am happy to report that, since starting my magnesium supplements, my foot cramps have disappeared.