I'm not dx so can't say if its common for MS sufferers, but my mum get severe cramp in her legs all the time. She was told by her Dr to put more salt into her diet, apparently in some cases that helps. Not sure if I believe that tho. May be worth looking into but don't add any salt to your diet without talking to your dr first. (I'm not a fan of adding salt to anything personally). Also drinking plenty of water helps or try stretching a bit before you go to sleep.

Sounds like you have a fabulous doctor. He recommended something natural instead of writing a script right off the bat. Sounds like he is one in a million. I'm here to tell you that the magnesium does work - stretching is also helpful. Calve stretches. I do this on the mattress or yoga mat. Lie on the back, bring a knee to the chest and lasso the foot with a belt, stretch the leg to aroud 45 degrees and then pull it with one hand on each side of the belt, up to 90 degrees and then a bit further (toward your shoulders). I hold it for 10-20 seconds and repeat. Doing a few sets of 10 or 20, whatever you're comfortable with. It does really help.

I would say exact what Lorriline said.... Take a stronger dose of magnesium it really does help...

My nureo sent me to physical therapy to help combat the horrendous cramp that just would not leave my lower right leg for a month. The muscles suddenly got so tight while I was sleeping one night it felt like I had a uncontollable iron-fist in my leg! I could hardly move the leg it was so painful. He Rxed Baclofen to try to help too.

The physical therapy guy had me do simple and yes painful stretches that actually DID help get the charlie horse type cramp get worked out in a few weeks.
He had me sit on the pad/ bed/ couch/ sofa with the leg as straight as I could get it. Then wrap a towel or some cloth over my toes and pull the toes straight forward and hold it that way for 10 seconds,
I did that 20 or 30 times for a few times everyday it did eventually help.
Good luck!

Thank you all for you replies.

I will keep taking the magnesium and certainly start the exercises (thanks Lorrie!)

I'm not going down the baclofen path - a neuro advised me against it as he felt there were more side effects than benefits (for me).

Thanks all, and hope thes answers help me and others. Jill

My doc recommend increasing my b12, potassium as well as magnesium and sodium and staying well hydrated. I drink zero poweraide. When they get really bad I put a b12 shot directly in the muscle. Sometimes it's Like sticking a needle in concrete but it does help (I have pernicious anemia and have no intrinsic factors so i don't absorb b12 or iron and I have to take shots and infusions. Not high on my fun list) I've had them so bad my joints lock up and the muscle visually distended and feels like a rock.
He also put me on keppra which is an anti seizure med that is easy on the kidneys and has a lot fewer side effects than benzo' s and baclofin. I do take muscle relaxers but only when every thing else fails. I've been blessed in that it's helped with the spasms and tremors and its helped with the brain fog as well. I'm not a huge fan of taking meds, but it has helped with my quality of life.

Hi
I do exactly as prior mentioned. If I can get up, I stands on step with my heels out and I push down. Hurts plenty but releases the spasticity.

Hello orsova,
It's me, SharonMom. I read your post and want you to know that I, too, experience regular leg cramps that have woken me up.
So, at bedtime now, I take 20 mg of flexeril (a muscle relaxant). I also have vicodin to take if the pain is severe. These help alot with the cramps. And the way I see it is, if I can take a medication that will help relieve the cramps then I am going to.
Also, as soon as we can afford it, we are going to have a walk-in bath tub with jets in it, installed in one of our bathrooms. I think that if I can take a bath every night, supervised by my husband so I do not fall asleep and drown, that this will also help with the cramps. It might also cause us to have more romance, too, if I feel better at night! Good luck my friend!

I get those cramps quite often. Hot bath or any kind of heat makes mine worse. My doctor prescribed a muscle relaxer for me. He also suggested to do stretches and exercise.