Magnesium treatment

I looked online and found a joint one,a sports one a bedtime one and an original one. That made it so confusing for hahaha.
I actually like that smell so i'd be okay lol.
I'm getting the hubby to bring me home a spray later. The magnesium tablets he brought back yesterday didnt have any calcium in them and they should,shouldnt they??
:0)

Yes that will help - also see sarah's post re tablets and spray - she did some research and found that the magnesium goes into the body quicker via the skin - hence the sprays and creams.

I think there is 4 of us trying this now - will be interesting to see how we get on

Hi figgy. I'd stick to a magnesium oil with no extras in it at the moment. Especially since it can be irritating to the skin - I wouldn't want to add things like eucalyptus to the mix too.

With tablets you should usually start with just magnesium, and then only add calcium if you need it. What form of magnesium is in your tablets?

Think they are from superdrug(?) they are in a yellow pot with 'woman' written on it.
The hubby got them for me. I thought it needed calcium with it??
My friends just given me some effervescent tablets with mag,calcium, b12 etc in . do you reckon theyd be better than it all separately and easier on my belly coz its dissolved??
How much magnesium is everyone taking??
How long have you been on it?
What were your migraines like before?

Sorry, i ask far tooooo many questions lol!!
xx

You need to know the form of the magnesium. All minerals are bonded to something else to be absorbed by the body, and most are not absorbed very well. I suspect the Superdrug ones won't be too good (sorry!!), but I could be wrong. Magnesium oxide is the worst absorbed form.

Effervescent tablets can be absorbed slightly better, but the body does still need to make use of the magnesium. I was taking magnesium citrate for a long time, but I've switched to magnesium malate, and find that absorbs better. The reason I know it absorbs better is not because of my migraines (sadly!), but because I sleep much better. My magnesium citrate was effervescent, but I find that the magnesium malate solid tablets absorb better.

Feel free to ask questions - it's a complicated subject.

I am taking quite a mix of stuff to at the moment - I am preventative free at the moment (as I have Botox on Friday) - so started the vitimins to see if they had any effect - I have only been on them 2 weeks and i am not sure if thats long enough to see any real changes (wee has gone bright yellow lol hmmm maybe that's TMI )

If I am honest I started these for 2 reasons, (1) I have really bad daily aura and research suggested i should try to improve my nerves. (2) I am soooo tired and need some energy.

I am taking 'B active' which contains B12, B1, B2, C, Niacin, B6, Folic acid, Zinc, Magnisuim, Biotin, Pantothenic. I am also on singles of Omega 3, Q10 , Cod Liver Oil and of course magnesium spray.

That'll be the vitamin B2 with the bright yellow wee!

I should have added earlier about the calcium and magnesium confusion. Sorry - my usual typing in a hurry.

The reason you shouldn't have the two in a supplement together is, as I understand it, because calcium and magnesium compete against each other, with calcium the usual winner. If they are both taken at all, you'd take them separately during the day, but many people are deficient in magnesium, as opposed to the numbers of people deficient in calcium. Magnesium also helps with the absorption on calcium, but not by taking them together.

Sorry, that probably sounds even more confusing!!

Am well confused now lol, but too be honest anything can confuse me!!
Have got the spray now.
First sprays last night and noticed quite a lot of tingling.
Really hope it helps even if its just a bit :0)

Fingers crossed for you. I'd definitely go with the spray if your skin can tolerate it. The tablets are really hard to absorb. I only wish my skin wasn't so sensitive!

Just found this - thought it was worth adding - what's really interesting is that says that Magnesium is a calcium channel blocker - hmmmmm so is Flurarazine - which is the medication shown to have the best results in reducing migraine - I certainly had good results with it.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Migraine Treatment Must Include Magnesium

Magnesium Does More Than REDUCE STRESS

Magnesium is often referred to as the "antistress" mineral. It is a kind of natural tranquilizer. While calcium stimulates muscle contraction, magnesium relaxes them. Magnesium is also thought to dilate the blood vessels.

Since stress is one of the biggest migraine triggers, this role by itself is important. But magnesium does more, helping to prevent migraines both directly and indirectly:

Magnesium is an alkaline mineral necessary for EVERY major biochemical process, including:

production and transfer of energy
metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates
Both of these are necessary for the healthy functioning of the brain.

It is also vital for proper functioning of the nervous system -- clearly important in migraine prevention -- as well as for the functioning of the heart, and for muscle and bone strength.

Magnesium is also a calcium blocker, which gives it a central role in brain chemistry and preventing a migraine.

These are major reasons why successful migraine treatments must include sufficient magnesium for the body.


Where Does The Body Store Magnesium?


About 65% of the magnesium in our bodies is contained in the bones and teeth. The remaining 35% is contained in the muscles (25%) blood, other body fluids, and other tissues -- including the brain.

Migraine treatments that ignore the importance of magnesium can put you at risk. Why? When the body needs magnesium for its chemical reactions and does not get sufficient dietary magnesium, it will leach them out of these storage places in your body. Directly or indirectly, this lack of magnesium can lead to migraines and other damage.


What Foods Contain This Mineral?

Magnesium is a key component of chlorophyll, the pigment of plants. Migraine treatments would therefore include dark green vegetables (like spinach, broccoli) in the diet -- since all are good sources of magnesium. Also recommended: most nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews), whole grains, seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds) and fruits like avocados, bananas, raisins.


What Keeps Us From Getting Enough Magnesium?


It is difficult to get enough dietary magnesium because soils are becoming depleted in many nutrients. Also contributing to magnesium deficiencies are these items in our diet: supplemental vitamin D and calcium, dietary phosphorus, and refined or processed carbohydrates. Magnesium loss is also caused by alcohol, caffeine, and sugar. This is important to know because some migraine treatments -- including over the counter medications -- contain caffeine. Migraine is often helped by eliminating toxins like these from your diet and thus from your body.


To Supplement Or Not To Supplment
(That Is The Question)

If you do not get enough of this mineral in food, migraine treatments may include a magnesium supplement. Be sure you find out: how absorbable is the supplement? Magnesium chelated with amino acids -- like magnesium aspartate or magnesium citrate -- is probably the most absorbable form.

Magnesium is also needed for proper calcium absorption. Normally (when taken as supplements) calcium and magnesium are taken in a 2:1 ratio (calcium:magnesium) so they are both properly absorbed. (Note that excessive magnesium inhibits calcium absorption and excessive calcium inhibits magnesium absorption.)


What Is The Best Way To Take Supplements?
(If You Do Not Absorb It, It Does You No Good)

Magnesium (like calcium) is an alkaline mineral. It requires an acidic stomach environment for best absorption. Migraine treatments with magnesium recommend taking magnesium between meals or on an empty stomach, especially with a little vitamin C as ascorbic acid. Another good time to take it: bedtime. Two additional benefits of taking it at bedtime: an increased utilization of magnesium; and people tend to sleep better after taking it.


_______________________________________________________________________________________
Writer Sandra S. Feder had migraines for years. She found 5 areas of imbalance that were connected to her headaches. Stop Migraine Symptoms Naturally is the book she wrote, showing step by step how she stopped her headaches. Read about this book, or sign up for her FREE e-course: 6 Nuggets Of Migraine Help at the website: http://www.avoidamigraine.com

Just wanted to add that I have been taking magnesuim and zinc supplements now for a month and yes I have benefitted from it.

I missed about fours days dosage last week and I went down hill rapidly. Luckily I seem to respond to it very quickly and with a couple of days back on it my pain diminished again.

Today I felt my pain getting worse so I took a supplement, had 30 mins rest and felt a lot better (I realised I had forgotten it so I can't claim any memory improvements lol).

I know I will never be pain free but any improvement on my daily pain and other symptoms is always very welcome. In addition I have been unwell with my other health problems for a few weeks and have been under tremendous stress..so any benefit at all is frankly quite astounding.

Needless to say I have just gone and got another large bottle of the stuff and would definitely recommend people giving this a go. Frankly is less invasive than many other things I have tried.

Good luck
JAne
x

..I seem to be being 'frank' quite a bit today...frankly it's rather irritating..my apologies..maybe I have found a side effect..over usage of the 'frank' word....I also noticed a profusion of 'l's' in my other post tonight..it's an 'l' of a problem apparently...

Sorry I will go elsewhere and explore my new 'frank-ness'...

Jane

Well 'frankly' I think your right.......

I forgot my supplements yesterday and I was a complete mess this morning

I have looked at my chart and one week after starting the magnesium and zinc (in high doses) my pain level went down and energy went up. I am still a little shocked that I am not sleeping everyday.... I used to have an afternoon nap almost everyday since last December and now i am average twice a week

Am considering adding the B12 after I have finished the Botox trial - Dr S does not want me to add anything else; so we get a true pic of how the Botox has worked - which is fair enough

September 27th, 2011 - Posted by Dr. Alex Mauskop

Question: How is magnesium used to help with migraines? How do I know if I’m deficient and how much should I take? What are the side effects?

Migraine is known to have a strong genetic component, but what exactlyis wrong with the genes varies widely from person to person. One of the possible problems is genetic difficulty in absorbing magnesium.

Our research done at SUNY – Downstate showed that up to 50% of migraine sufferers and 40% of those with cluster headaches are deficient in magnesium. In addition to genetic reasons for magnesium deficiency, stress, alcohol, chronic illness, poor diet, gastro-intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, can cause depletion of magnesium.

Magnesium is an essential element that is vital to the function of every cell in the body. It regulates literally hundreds of chemical reactions, modulates the function of various cell receptors, helps open and close blood vessels, and performs many other functions. Changes in some of these receptors (serotonin, NMDA, and others) and blood vessel constriction are intimately involved in the development of migraine headaches. Our research also showed that a regular blood test is completely unreliable.

So, how do you know if you are deficient and should take a supplement? Here are some other signs of magnesium deficiency: cold hands and feet or just feeling colder than other people around you, muscle cramps in your legs or feet, which often occur at night, and PMS symptoms in women. But you may be deficient even if you don’t have these additional symptoms and since there is little downside in taking a magnesium supplement, it may be worth a try.

It may take a month or two of daily intake of about 400-500 mg of magnesium oxide or chelated magnesium, before headaches improve. Magnesium can cause is diarrhea or stomach upset, so it should be always taken with food. People with impaired kidney function (you would know if you had it) should not take magnesium supplements without their doctor’s permission.

Magnesium can interfere with absorption of some antibiotics and other medications, so if you are taking prescription drugs it is important to talk to your doctor. Some people do not absorb enough magnesium even if they take a daily supplement, which we can tell if they get diarrhea or if their symptoms do not improve. We give these patients an intravenous infusion of magnesium and if it is effective, we repeat them monthly. We also give infusions for severe attacks and if the person is deficient, magnesium will provide immediate and dramatic relief. We also use the infusion as a test – if it helps, then a deficiency is probably present and taking an oral supplement may also help.

Even patients suffering from chronic daily headaches sometimes have complete relief of their headaches from magnesium, although more often magnesium alone is not sufficient and we also need to give Botox injections, other supplements, such as CoQ10, biofeedback, and medications.

http://migraine.com/blog/expert-featured-article/expert-answers/magnesium-for-migraine/

Just been sent this : http://www.news-press.com/article/20111102/ENT07/111020326/1020/COLUMNISTS04/Old-grains-new-again?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Its quite long - but mentions Quinoa

Migraine sufferers are also taking note of quinoa as it has about half the daily requirement of magnesium in one serving.

I am back on the higher nature magnesium and feeling the effects

Just read that malic acid is promotes the intake and proper absorption of magnesium,and boosts energy levels at the same time. Just wondered if any one had tried this?

Yes, that's what I take, Tee - magnesium malate. I find it better than any other magnesiums I've tried, but I haven't ever tried the one you are on, for fear of the yeast.

I am now taking the magnesium, butterbur and feverfew. This combo I have had for a week and I am feeling better.
However I must add I have been given a new drug called duloxotine to take along with the mirtazapine. Both are new type noradrenaline reuptakers and both are thought to help neuro pain.

I think it's a combo of everything. I went swimming with the school today and for the 1st time every I didn't need painkillers ..and believe me the noise is horrendous! Lots of little excited children squealing in echoy baths...nicccceee...

I'll keep you posted. Next month I will knock off the supplements to see if it's them that's helping or a combo of everything.

Jane
x

Ps It's the serotonin levels that the prescription drugs work on.

ahhhhhh never thought it would already be in them!!!!

I have just looked at the ones here and they do mention an amino acid but not which one - I am supose to be allegic to yeast (so the York Test say) but I do not have a problem with these and in fact my tummy is better with them.............. this prompted me to ask how can this be............ interesting response..


Some people have an allergic response to yeast but the allergen which causes an allergic response is a protein on the yeast cell wall and when broken down the proteins abllity to evoke an allergic response is gone. The yeast cell walls are gently pre-diguested and broken down with enzyes from pineapple and papaya.

Interestingly I also take bromeliad which is a pineapple enzyme to help break down the small amount of diary I have - I wonder if this also helps....

sounds good Jane - be interesting to see what happens when you stop...... I am thinking of adding these once the botox trial is over

Sounds positive, Jane - so pleased you are feeling a bit better.

I'm currently trialing riboflavin/vitamin B2 again, and calcium.

When I 1st started taking magnesium it was great but I've had a bad week so am not singing the praises of anything at the moment. It's important to realise that all these vitamin supplements should be taken at far higher doses than your average Tescos, Superdrug or Boots supplements. I get mine from Health Monthly based in Jersey but I know Higher Nature and the like do the higher strength stuff.
Magnesium is a well known calming mineral in the equestrian world - especially reducing the spring madness as the new spring grass is magnesium deficient. I've used it on 2 of my competition horses to increase concentration and reduce their slightly manic phases!
Another thing to note, though I don't know why, is that Vit B2 (riboflavin) is contra-indicated with the use of TCA's.

Hoping everyone stays on the up.

I'm not going to have time to read all of this before I go to my clinic appointment, just discovered this section of the forum.

I'm very interested by the supplementation side of things, and found out that the drug that precipitated my migraines at their worst depletes your magnesium levels, that would explain things. I'll see what the clinic says. I have a feeling if I see the specialist GP he'll not know though, and I think I'll not see the neurologist unless the GP is on holiday as I'm not a "severe or interesting" case in the grand scheme of things.

I look forward to reading about supplements later.

This is a long thread - but loads of interesting stuff on it - Magnesium and zinc seem to be of help in a lot of people.....

Happy reading xx