ouch!

[iamnice50]

How come I wake up in the middle of the night with leg spasms? It's impossible to go to bed again after! Any advice on how to avoid it?

[cassimer]

Sounds like cramps to me. Apparently increasing the amount of sodium in your diet helps. When you get them stretch the muscle like crazy. I know it hurts like mad, but this is the quickest way to stop them (perhaps the only way other than waiting in agony) and so you should get back to sleep a bit quicker!

[MargeB]

Are you on anti-depressants?

[iamnice50]

....no....

[MargeB]

Side effect of SSRIs can be kicking during your sleep...np.
Involuntary lower leg spasms can also be a post traumatic response, but it's usually while you're awake.
Check with your GP maybe.
Myself, I'm naturally a poor sleeper, but if I take steps I can get round things. Is your room a bit chilly? If my duvet comes off a bit and the room is chilly, I'll probably move around a bit.
It may be that you're having bad dreams? If I'm nodding off and have a microdream where I need to jump or suchlike, I'll kick my legs out.
Hope you sort it out, no sleep is no fun.

[clarabel82]

Bananas are supposed to help prevent cramp.

[smudge]

If you are able - perhaps a little walk in the evening might help with the cramps, thus making you sleep better. Good luck.

[secretspirit]

I used to get it all the time but wearing warm socks has got rid of it completely - unsexy but better than waking in agony a few times a week.

[sib444]

I was told by afriend that if you walked or stood on a cold floor (bathroom, maybe, where there is lino rather than carpet on the floor) this would start you circulation again, thus getting rid of the cramps. Quinine tablets are very good too but you would have to ask the doctor for them.

[woofgang]

there's some stuff that you can get from the chemist called crampex.

[morg_monster]

my dad has had leg cramps at night for as long as I can remember.  The way he deals with it is: no caffeine after about 8pm, if he is having a bad patch he might go for a short walk rather than just sitting down all evening, and also tonic water is a good source of quinine and can help.  Maybe try that before going to the doc for tablets?  (not sure if the caffeine thing effects cramps directly or just helps him sleep in general!)