Lyn, I used to get the worst foot cramps in the middle of the night. I'd bolt out of bed and be hopping/hobbling around going OW OW OW OW. I think it had to do with the high doses of prednisone I was on at the time because as the dose went down the cramps went away.

The ones I still get now and then that kill me are ones in my calf. I seem to always get them when I'm on long drives, which is just hell (as you said, fiery ball of death).