Need help with leg, feet, and toe cramping

Hi: I am usually at the fibromyalgia forum and occasionally visit the IBS forum on Healingwell. I don't have MS (have had numerous tests for it), but I continue to have muscle stiffness. I was told by my neurologist that I have an as-yet unspecified neuro condition, along with the fibromyalgia.

My leg/feet/toes have always been stiff. My neurologist said I have great muscle tone--almost too good! What I'd like help with is the muscle spasms and cramping, especially in the legs/feet/toes, and mostly overnight and just after getting out of bed.

I was taking a muscle relaxer (Flexeril). Right now, until I see my doctor in May, I'm 'on hold' on taking Flexeril (also take Neurontin for nerve pain; on hold with that, too), since I've developed dental issues, possibly due to dry mouth. I do take half a tablet of Flexeril occasionally, though, with plenty of water. My dentist doesn't know if the tooth issues (rapidly developing cavities, mostly) are due to my meds or my health in general.

Boiling this all down, can anyone suggest something that could help the leg/feet/toe cramping; preferably something natural? I take calcium and magnesium, and potassium, eat bananas, drink lots of water, and have even tried the wackier things like a tablespoon of mustard and pickle juice! But I think because my muscles are so tight, nothing helps.

I should also mention I can't do toe exercises at all; in fact, I've never been able to bend my toes much at all. They tend to point more upwards. I try to walk a lot each day and stretch. I really don't know what else I can do.

I guess mostly I'm looking for a natural way to cope with this, though I'm open to any meds that don't affect my teeth and cause dry mouth, if that's even possible.

Thanks!

Thanks for the response, Snoopy (love your name, BTW!).

I haven't gone for either therapy. I have such weird things going on in my body (for years) and it I even touch my feet or toes or legs in a 'wrong' area, they will cramp. They are unbelievably touchy, which makes me think it's some kind of a nerve problem, relating probably to the undiagnosed condition the neurologist mentioned.

I do like the idea of massage therapy, especially, if my body will tolerate it. One issue, though, is that I would have to drive about 25 miles home from the nearest physical therapist, and sometimes once I get a cramp, it can come back in a short time very easily; sort of a trigger reaction. It may make it tricky to drive.

But, I'll definitely give it some thought. Maybe, too, I can gently do a little more massage myself on my feet, especially, and see if that helps. Thanks again for the idea!

Hmm...good thing to consider. I'll have to check around and see if there's a massage therapist in the area. Thanks for the suggestion! :)

Thanks, ppm guy. Wow--that's interesting, and sounds promising! I'd never heard of that. I will give that a try.