Re: What do you think? (magnesium)

[Guest guest]

>

> I went to see an alternative therapist ... She was very very

concerned about the state of my muscles and my magnesium levels.

They were very very low... She told me if the levels showed low on

her test, which she was very sure they would, that the Dr would

arrange for me to have 6 weeks of Magnesium shots... Any ideas as to

how I can approach my Doctor and ask her for the Magnesium test?>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sandy replies to Deb's question:

Your doctor may or may not realize the importance of dietary

magnesium. If you become very well educated on the subject and feel

comfortable discussing it with her, you may be able to help her by

providing information from resources that she can trust. Stress that

you wish to build working partnership with her, not supplant her

ideas or question her wisdom.

Here's some info that may be helpful:

Magnesium is an essential nutrient. It's found in small amounts in

several foods, but unless one nibbles greens and unrefined grains all

day, it is difficult for most people to get enough of it in their

diets. When magnesium amounts are low, many people report higher pain

levels.

Low levels of magnesium are associated with several unpleasant and

even dangerous conditions, such as high blood pressure, migraine, pre-

eclampsia/eclampsia, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and

gastrointestinal malabsorption disorders.

Some studies have shown that magnesium can abort or prevent

migraines, and reduce the severity of ones already under way. It can

reduce blood pressure, improve the lung function of asthmatics, and

stimulate the intestinal tract to end constipation.

Here are some resources for educating yourself about magnesium, its

role in human health, and your options for increasing the amount you

have in your body.

1. http://www.ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium.asp

Quote from above source: " Early signs of magnesium deficiency include

loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As

magnesium deficiency worsens, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions

and cramps, seizures, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms,

and coronary spasms can occur [1,3-4]. Severe magnesium deficiency

can result in low levels of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia).

Magnesium deficiency is also associated with low levels of potassium

in the blood (hypokalemia) [1,19-20]. "

2. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/magnesium/

Quote from above source: " Individuals who suffer from recurrent

migraine headaches have lower intracellular magnesium levels

(demonstrated in both red blood cells and white blood cells) than

individuals who do not experience migraines (42). Oral magnesium

supplementation has been shown to increase intracellular magnesium

levels in individuals with migraines, leading to the hypothesis that

magnesium supplementation might be helpful in decreasing the

frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Two placebo-controlled

trials have demonstrated modest decreases in the frequency of

migraine headaches after supplementation with 600 mg/day of magnesium

(42, 43). "

Keep in mind that the government's recommended daily amount (RDA) of

a nutrient is established to meet the needs of ordinary, healthy

people, so it is generally much lower than the amount it will take to

reverse a deficiency or to maintain optimal health in a person whose

disease process tends to lead toward deficiency.

On a personal note: I have had a lifelong history of hemiplegic

migraines (similar to migraine with aura, but with severe

neurological symptoms and signs.) After years of false leads, the ER

docs and I finally found a suitable treatment to stop an attack in

its tracks: 2 grams (= 2000 milligrams) of intravenous magnesium

sulfate given over a 20 minute period. As a prophylactic, to avoid

having to go to the ER at all, I now take 800 -1000 mg every day.

These amounts work very well for me. You'll notice that they are

quite a bit higher than the RDA, but they fit me because my body and

its conditions require this extra amount.

You may have to experiment to find the amount that your body needs.

You'll know if you take too much, because the main side effect of an

overabundance of magnesium is diarrhea. In extremely high amounts,

the next sign would be low blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. If

this happens, just stop taking it or take less. If your kidneys are

healthy, processing magnesium should be easy, and the mineral's

presence in the right amount will help you to experience a less

painful, more functional, healthier body.

Hope this helps. Remember, I am a patient, so this comment comes from

a lay person's education and years of experience. It's not a

substitute for medical advice from your own guides.

Be well!

~Sandy

CMI/SM/TCS/EDS+/FHM (legally disabled due to this combination);

3 surgeries at TCI from 2003 - 2007;

other surgeries on limbs and other parts 1973-2007;

former educational therapist and teacher.

[Guest guest]

My pain management Dr who is great, not only uses traditional pain

medication but he also researches to look for anything that might help

in addition to them. Several months ago (near a year as I recall) he

said that he had read that people with chronic severe headaches and/or

migraines could benefit from high doses of vitamin B2 (riboflavin), he

also said magnesium was supposed to help as well as feverfew. Well,

during his huntings he found something called Migrelief. It is herbal

and contains 360 mg magnesium, 400 mg B2 (riboflavin), and 100 mg

feverfew. He said he wanted me to really up my B2 so he wanted me to

take 2 migrelief a day. One in AM and one in PM. I had a hard time

finding it but my local walgreens special orders it for me whenever I

need it. It is not expensive at all. Don't get me wrong, I still

have head pain 24/7, but I think when there are days I would be

completely knocked down from pain, I only get bumped lol. Anyway to

me anything is worth trying. I have been taking it religiously since

he asked me too. You can also find it at other places like amazon.com

and from their site directly:

http://www.migrelief.com/index.htm

As long as they keep making it, I plan on continuing to take it since

I know I need B2 and magnesium, and feverfew is safe to take. Don't

know if this helps but I figure all information is good information