Email to The Magnesium Web Site, 2002
Fri, 4 Jan 2002 19:51:26 0600 (CST)
SEIZURES
I am currently using magnesium, which seems to greatly help
and may sometime in the future cure me of seizures which for some
reason have only occurred while I sleep. I have recently
discovered that Magnesium regulates sodium efflux and influx into
nerve cells. Exactly the same mechanism that my prescription
medicine Dilantin does in stopping seizures. AMAZING!
Wed, 9 Jan 2002 14:53:27 0500
MIGRAINES, CHRONIC PAIN
I happened upon your request as I was looking up a website re:
magnesium as a preventative for migraine for a friend.
I am 39 years old, and have suffered from migraine since late
adolescence. My family physician knows about them, and is rather
more inclined to prescribe the "latest and greatest", regardless
of cost or side effects, than actually listen to me as to what
actually works well for me, in this case, a step approach using
first 1) otc caffeine, aspirin, and decongestant combination;
then 2) butalbital/aspirin; and lastly, 3) codeine. Imitrex,
which produces immediate results, seems to irritate my nasal
passages to the point where I may suffer from ulcerations in my
nasal cavity for weeks afterwards. Also, the food diary approach
to migraine management is a cruel joke.
I researched alternative treatments following a terrible weeklong
migraine, and found what appeared to be good, legitimate info on
the role of magnesium in prevention of migraine. I was
sufficiently convinced (which is very difficult to do) to
experiment upon myself. I take chelated magnesium every morning.
Although I had not been scrupulously collecting clinical data on
the results (life is busy enough, thank you), I can
enthusiastically tell you that anecdotally, it has been very
helpful. For me, frequency of migraine has gone down to a
fraction, say 1/3, of what they were. That's pretty significant.
I still get them, mostly in spring and fall, coinciding with
allergic triggers.
Chronic pain arthritis/myofacial is also a problem for me, and
magnesium supplementation is an important part of pain control
for me. I stretch and exercise on a daily basis, using belly
dance/free weights/yoga/Pilates/balance exercises as I see fit,
considering how I feel that particular day. I believe this is
also a factor in controlling headache, especially those
associated with TMJ and neck tension.
Tue, 15 Jan 2002 10:56:12 0500
MIGRAINES
I have been taking magnesium to treat my migraines for around
a month now. I have suffered from migraines for 11 years and this
has been the first treatment to decrease the amount and length of
pain I experience.
Sat, 26 Jan 2002 10:28:10 EST
ASTHMA, ANXIETY
I was recommended magnesium taurate to help with possible
asthma, breathing difficulties, however, I have noticed that the
magnesium has reduced my anxiety levels.
Wed, 6 Feb 2002 21:32:01 EST
MIGRAINES
I have been taking magnesium oxide mineral supplements to
treat migraines. I take 1000mgs per day. The migraines occur
about once a month. This is the same frequency as before taking
the supplement, but the severity is much less.
Tue, 12 Feb 2002 10:20:22 0800
MIGRAINES
I had purchased the book by Dr. Mauskop re Migraines. While
doing my own research, I had been taking feverfew and B vitamins
in order to combat headaches that were lasting for over a month
at a time. The two supplements were not enough to stop the
headaches, or even notice a difference. Within two weeks of
adding magnesium, my headaches were cut down to 1/4 of what they
were. I was no longer needed prescription medication to stop
them, except on rare occasions. When I was using my prescription,
I would only need one to two pills to stop them completely.
Further, my 7 year old son noticed almost immediately and was
commenting that I no longer had a headache like I did. I am now
using Migra Lieve daily.The only problem that has arisen is that
I was feeling so well that I started missing doses and am
currently experiencing an 11 day headache at this point. I am
currently waiting for the supplements to build back up and expect
the headaches to resolve soon. I was extremely skeptical when I
started taking the magnesium and was only really grasping straws
to stop the pain. I believe the magnesium made the
difference.
Thu, 14 Feb 2002 19:25:38 EST
MIGRAINES
I have had major successes treating my migraines with
magnesium. Sadly, this may be the most overlooked tx for
headaches.
Sun, 17 Feb 2002 16:43:43 1000
MIGRAINES
I have had migraine headaches for about 25 years. In the early
1990s, I was finally diagnosed at the UCLA pain management clinic
in the School of Dentistry. That eventually led to daily
Neurontin and Tenormin as preventive and Imitrex 50 100mg. tabs
when I get one. I used the injection Imitrex for a few years in
the mid 90s. A few years ago my neurologist almost offhandedly
suggested magnesium supplement, but didn't say how much so I've
been on just 133mg. extra a day. Then about a week ago I read in
this article,
http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/conditions/02/11/migraine.treatment/in
dex.html, how 500mg. was more like it. I've been on 500mg. a day
for seven days now, and I have yet to experience another
migraine. Prior to a week ago I'd get twinges daily, a moderate
migraine maybe once a week, and whopper maybe once a month. Now,
nothing, no twinges, no nothing. The only "side effect" I can see
is just a dash of flushing in my face. Otherwise nothing I can
detect.
Tue, 19 Feb 2002 06:06:40 0800
PVCs
I am a 57 year old retired male, 157 lbs., 6 feet, in good
health except for slight hypertension which is well controlled to
120s/70s by 10 mg of enalapril taken each morning.
I have had occasional bouts of preventricular contractions since
my early twenties. Over a period of several days, or usually
weeks, I would experience several PVCs per hour. Then they would
disappear for many months. My doctors over the years seemed to
agree that these were harmless.
This past fall, my wife and I took a six week camping (RVing)
trip during which we were very active, hiking several miles each
day in Utah's canyon country. During this time I was having
"attacks" of increasing frequency and duration. The PVCs would
sometimes be so frequent (perhaps every third or fourth
heartbeat), and last for so many minutes, that I could barely
talk due to the induced coughing.
When we got home, I read an article in "Readers' Digest" that
mentioned a food supplement database they had on their website.
Of the several things mentioned, magnesium seemed the cheapest. I
started taking 200 mg/day. After the third dose, the PVCs
abruptly, and completely, stopped. Then, to test it, I stopped
taking Mg and the PVCs returned after three days.
As it happened, I had my annual physical in December, so I
mentioned all this to my doctor who decided I ought to have a
stress EKG just to rule out any coronary artery blockage. I had
the test in January and it showed I had no heart problems
whatever.
I have since learned that exercise depletes Mg, and I certainly
was active during our trip. And, I also have noticed by looking
back over my blood tests, that my Mg level has always been low
normal.
Thu, 28 Feb 2002 17:43:04 EST
MIGRAINES
I thought I would let you know that I am using magnesium to
treat my migraines, and with amazing results... What were
previously three or four day monster migraines are often as short
as two hours now. That is more improvement than any prescription
medication has ever given me. I take 756 mg of magnesium L
lactate dihydrate each day, split into three doses. I also take
magnesium gluconate, 270 mg each morning. I have been using
magnesium for the migraines for a little over six months now. I
did not start at the present dose, but rather gradually increased
to this level. This combination has made enough difference in the
quality of my life that I can now plan to do something tomorrow
and be reasonably sure I will be able to get it done.
Sat, 2 Mar 2002 15:00:36 EST
BONE MARROW CANCER
I have bone marrow cancer. My right ankle broke 2 years ago.
An endocrinologist says I have a magnesium deficiency. He has me
on magnesium IV 2 3 times a week.
Sun, 31 Mar 2002 09:00:18 0600
MIGRAINES
I have successfully been treated for migraine with mag IV's. I
take oral magnesium everyday but seem to have a hard time
retaining enough mag in my system. I go to an environmental
specialist who has literally brought me back to life with
supplements, nutritional IV's and magnesium.
Tue, 2 Apr 2002 09:24:59 +0200
MIGRAINES
I started a self experiment with 600 mg magnesium and after a
couple of month I was out of tablets and didn't replace them for
about 3 days; I was suffering migraines all 3 of them!
Fri, 5 Apr 2002 20:27:22 0500
POST HEART ATTACK
I had suffered a heart attack [and] underwent angioplasty for
a stent placement. While in recovery, a nurse noticed that my t
waves were abnormal and phoned the treating physician who
immediately ordered that I be placed on a magnesium drip. It
obviously worked as my ECG was later O.K. and I was discharged
two days later.
Sun, 7 Apr 2002 11:34:18 0400
MIGRAINES
I am a 38 year old male who use to suffer regularly from
migraines. I found that the more I exercised the worse they got.
I have not exercised much in the last 10 years to avoid both the
headaches and prolonged fatigue. A few weeks ago I began taking a
500 mg. magnesium supplement each day. I can feel a dramatic
difference in the way I feel after exercising. I am also
experiencing deeper sleep.
My eight year old son is just beginning to experience the
exercise related headaches too. He has had amitriptyline
prescribed for the headaches but it hasn't done anything but make
him sleepy. I will probably try a magnesium supplement with him
too.
Sun, 7 Apr 2002 19:21:17 0500
CLUSTER HEADACHES
I had a boarder that had horrible cluster headaches daily and
he is a young man of only 22. I told him about magnesium, but he
wanted medical care. After spending a lot of insurance money on
many tests, including MRIs and brain scans and nearly dying from
aspirin toxicity, he listened to me at length and was finally
interested in trying magnesium. I gave him a bottle of magnesium
glycinate. He was to take 800 mg magnesium from magnesium
glycinate a day (200 mg 4 t/d).He stopped having cluster
headaches within a day or two. As long as he takes his Mg, he has
no headaches.
George Eby http://coldcure.com/html/dep.html
Tue, 9 Apr 2002 20:53:51 0500
MIGRAINES
I have been taking magnesium sulfate 400mg po daily for 3
months now. Before I started, I was having migraines every month
with my menstrual period and also at random times during the
month. I was averaging 3 5 migraines a month. The first month on
the mag oxide, I had somewhat less frequent headaches. The second
month, I had only the one during my menstrual period. The third
month I had no migraine at all. That is the first time since 1982
that I have gone a whole month without a migraine!
Wed, 10 Apr 2002 23:01:44 +1200
FIBROMYALGIA, MUSCLE CRAMPS, TWITCHING
I have had fibromyalgia for five years, although it was only
diagnosed three years ago. Although not common in FMS, One of my
debilitating symptoms was severe muscle cramps and muscle
twitching in the shoulders, upper and lower arms, hands, chest,
lower back and feet. (Oddly, rarely in the calf muscles where
most of my friends experienced it from time to time). These
cramps were so bad that I could not drive safely.
I read on the net of an English professor who recommended
magnesium for FMS. (I cannot recall why). But I gave it a go.
Within two weeks my twitching had stopped and after one month I
was experiencing no cramps. (Prior to this my medical advisor
prescribed quinine and norflex, both of which produced only
slight reduction in cramps and no effect on the twitching). It
took me one month to raise the dose to 2 grams Mg per day. (to
avoid diarrhea).
I have suffered only three cramps in the past year and no
twitching at all. I think I am sure that it is the Mg although I
have not missed a day taking it to find out if the symptoms
return.
Sat, 20 Apr 2002 09:43:17 0600
MIGRAINES
I'm currently trying Mg to prevent migraines (after a 4 day
migraine bout) and it appears to be working.
Tue, 23 Apr 2002 18:22:06 0400
MIGRAINES
A few months ago, I began having migraines. I had had them in
the past, but not often. In four days I had two. The first one
sent me to the emergency room, a first for me. I went to a
chiropractor, looking for any relief. I also had blood work,
because I thought my hormone therapy was no longer working. I
take estrogen. The doctor recommended a hair analysis. It came
back to say my magnesium level was low. In the mean time, my
physician told me my body was no longer absorbing the estrogen.
Well, I began taking magnesium, and you would not believe the
difference it has made. I no longer have headaches, and I feel
better than I have felt in a long time. I have headaches a lot, I
always have, but I can truthfully say, I haven't had a headache
in a long time. I feel like a new person.
Sun, 28 Apr 2002 14:45:59 0400
MIGRAINES, MUSCLE CRAMPS, SPASMS
I suffered from migraine since 1965.I also developed, over the
years, severe muscle cramps in my legs at night and spasms in my
upper back around the shoulder blades. I began a regimen about
two years ago, of calcium and magnesium to treat the cramps and
had immediate relief. I have continued this treatment and
discovered that the migraines have just about disappeared also.
The upper back problems remain however.
Wed, 8 May 2002 20:15:19 EDT
FATIGUE, MEMORY LOSS, HEADACHES, CONFUSION, AGITATION, ETC.
I am a 29 year old mother of two young children. With each
child my health worsened. I went to my physician in October of
last year because ongoing fatigue and memory loss. I had begun to
sleep for more and more hours per day. In addition I experienced
headaches, bouts of confusion, agitation, mood swings, and
worsening PMS symptoms. In addition I began to experience heart
palpitations and breathlessness. I began having flashes of heat
and cold. My feet and legs would sometimes tingle and go to
sleep.
After 9 months of varied and sometimes painful treatment which
included a sleep study, a daytime sleep study, an echocardiogram,
nuclear stress test, cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology
study, several EKGs, Holter monitor... even a heart monitor I
wore for a month. I tried exercise..not exercising, I tried
everything they told me to do..including taking various medicines
for clearing my nasal pasages..slowing my heart down..speeding my
heart up..etc etc. They told me I had coronary artery disease.
They told me I had leaky heart valves. They told me that I had
sleep apnea. Then they weren't sure what I had. They wanted me
using all kinds of gadgets and machines.
After a few months of useless treatments and worsening health,
after many thousands of dollars spent I gave up. I stopped
returning my doctor's phone calls and just suffered. One
sleepless night I got online in frustration and typed in every
symptom I was feeling. Other people were experiencing what I was
going through and medical community wasn't helping. Someone
suggested I began writing down all my symptoms.
After three months of exhaustive charting and researching, I
noticed a pattern. My symptoms worsened during ovulation and
premenstrually. I began researching natural remedies for PMS.This
is where I began to hear magnesium mentioned. I didn't know what
it was and what it did for my body. I researched more. I was
overwhelmed. Most everything they were describing as magnesium
deficiency was happening to me.
After much research and talking to many people online about the
pros and cons. I made what I felt was an educated decision. I
immediately went out and bought a 4 dollar bottle of magnesium
and a 5 dollar bottle of vitamin B6. I also bought a bottle of
vitamin E. The first day I took the magnesium I was in pain. I
was craving chocolate very severely. I was having mood swings and
uncontrollable irritability. Moodiness. I was unable to
concentrate or think about even the smallest things.
The first night I took the magnesium, the first thing I notice
was that I slept. I slept well. For the first time in years, I
also dreamed. To me this meant I was finally reaching a deep
sleep that seemed to elude me for so long. I woke feeling
refreshed. Over the next few days the change in my entire well
being was unbelievable.
I began to sleep better. The fatigue disappeared. The chocolate
cravings vanished. My energy levels went up. I got stronger and
stronger every single day. It's been several weeks now..and I
have yet to experience ANY more major problems. No more heart
palpitations, no more mood swings, no more headaches, no more
debilitating fatigue.
I contribute my magnesium deficiency to a diet low in magnesium
rich foods AND high in vitamin D found in milk. I have also
learned that period of high stress and use of diuretics can
further deplete magnesium levels. I am learning more and more
about magnesium and other vitamins everyday. I am constantly
surprised at why doctors did not look at more simple options or
at least inform me about them before embarking on 10, 000 dollar
procedures.
I am working to eat more magnesium rich food so that I can reduce
supplement use. It feels good to take control of my own medical
situation.
Thu, 9 May 2002 21:57:11 EDT
MIGRAINES
I have used magnesium and have benefited from it. For the past
year, I have been taking 600mg magnesium oxide daily with other
vitamins/minerals. I have suffered from migraines for fifteen
years. I attribute the magnesium, malic acid and feverfew as
lessening my migraine frequency and pain. I believe my body was
craving magnesium as I tended to want to eat magnesium rich foods
such as almonds.
Thanks for the article as it made a difference in my life! When I
read it a year ago, I tried by increasing my magnesium levels to
the point of its being a laxative, then cut back to an amount my
body could handle.
Sun, 19 May 2002 09:10:01 1000
MIGRAINES
I was suffering from migraines everyday until my MD told me
about Magnesium citrate 500mg everyday. I have not one since.
It's been a week.
Fri, 24 May 2002 09:14:30 EDT
MIGRAINES
The product that I am using can be found on this web site:
http://www.NaturalCalm.netThe product does everything that it
says it does! It is an outstanding product!!!
Tue, 4 Jun 2002 02:59:56 EDT
LEG CRAMPS
Ich nehme jeden Abend 3 Filmtabletten Magnesium, da ich
Diabetes 1 habe und irgendwann herausfand, das die
nächtlichen Wadenkrämpfe damit zu tun haben. Wenn ich
die Magnesum Tabletten nehme bin ich auf der sicheren Seite. Ganz
selten muss ich nachts noch eine Tablette zusätzlich
nehmen.
[I take 3 capsules of magnesium each evening, since I have
diabetes type 1 and have nocturnal calf cramps. If I take the
magnesium tablets, I am safe. Rarely, I must take another tablet
at night in addition.]
Sat, 8 Jun 2002 04:54:58 0700
MIGRAINES
I would like you to know about my experience. I have had
migraines since I was a small child. I started taking calcium,
and was told by the natural food expert that I should take
magnesium with it because calcium makes the heart beat faster.
Once I got on the magnesium I started feeling better all around,
and stopped taking calcium-bad, but I did. I have been on
magnesium for 7 yrs I didn't notice it at first, but after a
while I started looking back over this time and realized that my
headaches were less and now I seldom get a headache.
Thu, 20 Jun 2002 20:05:03 0400
LOW POTASSIUM, LOW CALCIUM
Gidday, Your page is educational! You asked for stories etc,
so I have one for you. I am also a Registered Nurse, &
understand the importance of electrolytes in our diets etc.
I have recently been diagnosed with CVIDS, in which my immune
system does not work properly and I get infections easily. Over
the past few years, I have noticed that when they draw blood, I
have been found to have a very low K+ level, Ca+, and a low RBC
& Hgb. This is something that is always there.
Once my PCP called me on the phone and had me admitted for
hypokalemia (critical low).Last month, I had a bowel obstruction
and another physician (surgeon who is a friend of mine) admitted
me to do a lab. He drew labs, and I was given 8 K+ pills, 2 hours
apart, and the blood draws still revealed it was low. They then
gave me 8 bags of K+, and once again, still low. No one could
figure this out as I was not having diarrhea, or anything that
normally causes this condition.
Another physician (who was on call) decided to check my Mg+
level. It was also very low! He gave me a bag of Mg+, and my K+
finally went up, along with my Ca+.
I have also found (I am paying attention to my labs and have been
wondering if there is a connection with receiving my Polygam
every month).Prior to my tx, all the labs are out of whack (as
above), but after the tx they seem to right themselves. If the
K+, & Ca+ is low, then Mg+ tends to correct all of them.
Thu, 27 Jun 2002 01:34:09 EDT
PVCs
In November, 2001, I began to experience almost constant PVCs
in my heart. They immediately discovered that my magnesium was
low. My doctor blamed my 4th baby, then 9.5 months old, and my
nursing her on my magnesium depletion. It took 6 months at 1000
2000 mg. of magnesium a day to get my blood levels back to normal
and the PVCs to stop. Now I found out that I have lost 1.5 inches
in my height and we're looking at a possibility of osteoporosis
due to a low magnesium levels for up to 5+ years.(I believe I
also had PVCs during my third pregnancy.) All of this and I am
only 31 years old and love milk. I don't want other young moms to
go through what I am going through.
Mon, 8 Jul 2002 18:58:16 0700
MIGRAINES
Just thought I'd write and share with you a rave testimonial
on how I cured my migraines! (since you asked)
For about 4 6 years (give or take), I have suffered from
headaches which got progressively worse. (or at least they
started off as headaches, until they progressed to
migraines).This last couple years they became more and more
frequent and severe. Tylenol, aspirin or ibuprofen wouldn't even
phase them. I found fresh ginger (added to boiling water) would
help to alleviate some of the nausea, but not the migraine
itself.
The pain just wouldn't go away, and it would be so severe that I
couldn't do *anything* but lay down and try to cope the best I
could with the pain. No reading, no TV, no nothing...and they
would last for 2 3 days on average. I tried some over the counter
"MigraDefense" capsules by KAL phooey! They helped to trade my
migraines for irregular heartbeats.....scary!!!!
The migraines finally progressed to the point where I knew I had
to see a doc. Before I did, though...I just happened to stop by a
local health food store (the same one where I got the migraine
relief capsules that were no good).I got to talking with the
store owner and he told me about magnesium deficiency being one
major cause of migraines. So I bought the Magnesium 500mg with
vitamin B 6 by Natures Life, and took it home. "How could
something so simple really help THIS?" I thought. But sure
enough, to my *amazement*, it HAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I take about 1
every couple days, and so far so good!! No more migraines!!
It is my sincere hope that if there are any other migraine
sufferers out there that they read this and give it a try. I
can't begin to tell you how relieved I've been not to have to
suffer through those nasty migraine bouts.
Sat, 20 Jul 2002 13:38:43 0700
MIGRAINES
I have Hemi Plegic Migraine Syndrome, and my neurologist put
me on magnesium/zinc, with calcium, in conjunction with Neurontin
and Paxil to prevent migraine, as this type put me at high risk
for stroke.
Sat, 20 Jul 2002 20:02:32 0700
LOW MAGNESIUM, ENERGY LOSS, MUSCLE WEAKNESS, NAUSEA,
MIGRAINES
I would like to thank you again for all the work you have done
and still do for all of us that have sicknesses!
So much good has happened since I last wrote you......
My doctor found out that I have a very serious deficiency in
magnesium! I had critical levels.....Many .3 and .6 levels. I was
told 1.3-1.9 is normal. He told me I could die with these levels.
I've been sick 40 yrs. with this. Bedridden for 20 of those 40.
Main problems severe energy loss and severe muscle weakness. Also
severe nausea.
I now am feeling like I felt when I was 18, when it all started.
I am now 56. I feel that all of the hundred doctors I went to
including Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins failed me. I think I
should sue the AMA. They conveniently said I was
manic/depressive!
I knew all those years I was deathly sick physically and that I
did get depressed over the sever physical illness that would
never stop for all those years. I certainly feel that the medical
community stole my life from me!
I now have no severe quick (every 2 weeks!) cycling going on! It
is miraculous what a normal level can do to some functions of my
body! I am a teacher and researched this sickness 40 years. I
guess I was not smart enough to catch it but [neither] were the
doctors.
Now that I am cured, I can see how my sleep is great now, also
energy and strength and also just an overall feeling of
health!
This is truly a case for the books!
My migraines are gone also!
I am at 1.5 now and may go higher. I take a 90MCQ IV everyday
that takes 4-5 hrs. Also Sat and Sun. Liquid and pills did not
help. My endrocrinologist took 3 years to get to this point! What
took him soooooo long? He is supposed to be a world-renowned
endrocrinologist?
Wed, 24 Jul 2002 23:12:11 0700
pH BALANCE, BREAST FIBROSITY
Last year I realized that my pH balance was really off. I
started taking buffer pH in large doses, then added pancreatic
enzyme which helped for awhile. I then added liver enzyme which
began to give me liver spots so I stopped taking that. Then I
read somewhere, maybe in my medical books (I'm studying to be a
ND physician) that magnesium helps to regulate the pH of the
body. After taking magnesium for two days, I noticed a marked
change in my pH balance. (By using litmus paper) Just with using
the buffer pH in large quantities started to do some things I
didn't expect.
All the fibrosity in my right breast began to disappear. Even the
calcification disappeared. My surgeon asked me what I was doing.
Now, after taking magnesium for several months, my energy is very
high, my pH is balanced, all fibrosity is gone out of my right
breast. I am having a panel done this Friday to show my hormone
levels and thyroid levels as I believe I am at the stage where my
body is beginning to regulate these also. I have written a
brochure to teach and reach people on the real need for
magnesium. I am adding information on my websites and I will
incorporate a link to your website as well. It is so crucial to
reach as many people as possible.... so count me in.
Mon, 5 Aug 2002 07:13:38 0400
USE IN VETERINARY PRACTICE, MIGRAINES, PMS
I am a veterinarian and nutrition consultant. I use magnesium
supplementation extensively for a variety of problems in horses
from insulin resistance to muscular and nervous disorders and
have done so for at least the last 20 years with remarkable
success (but that's another story!).
I cannot, of course, prescribe for humans but have from time to
time had clients mention health problems in their families or
friends, at which point I will refer them to informative web
sites and research papers of interest. Within the last six months
have had two clients with young women (ages 19 and 24) in their
families suffering from severe, refractory (to medication) status
migraine of sufficient intensity to warrant CAT scans. One was of
8 days duration, one several weeks (symptomatically a basilar
artery type).
The 8 day long migraine responded within 24 hours to stopping all
medications and beginning magnesium supplementation; the other
within 48 hours. Both girls are now migraine free on magnesium
maintenance therapy.
We also have migraine in our family. My own 17 year old daughter
had regular migraines, occasionally quite severe, but these have
disappeared completely since she started magnesium
supplementation for another problem (PMS).
Mon, 05 Aug 2002 20:37:28 0400
KIDNEY STONES, HEADACHES
I first started taking a magnesium supplement and vitamin B6
in 1965 as part of a study to see if it would inhibit the
formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones. It did, and because
you never forget the pain of passing a stone, I've been taking it
ever since. No stones except for a few periods that, for one
reason or another, I messed up on taking it regularly.
When I got on the Internet, I found out that magnesium also helps
to prevent a lot of other things. A lot of things that I don't
have even though I've been very overweight most all of my adult
life. I'm now 68, weigh 240 lbs, but most of my life was closer
to 300. Blood pressure and diabetes are under control and no
problems with cholesterol or triglycerides. Doctors, several
times, have told me that I have no circulation problems. Also, I
have no problem with arthritis.
In the early 60's, I used to have horrible headaches. Now, I
can't remember when the last time was that I took a painkiller
for a bad headache.
I sometimes have the thought that had I not taken magnesium and
vitamin B6 all these years, that I might not be alive today.
Thu, 8 Aug 2002 10:28:14 0700
MIGRAINES
I have been taking about 500 mg of magnesium daily for about
10 years now. It is the one supplement that I swear by. Here's my
story:
I often got migraines at a rate of about once a month, starting
at puberty. When I turned 35, I had to have a complete
hysterectomy due to endometriosis, and afterward began hormone
replacement therapy. Migraines suddenly became a weekly event,
sometimes lasting for 2 or more days. My job was suffering, my
sanity was suffering. The medical community offered pain killers,
but that didn't make me well merely less pained.
My Dr. suggested that it was the hormone tablets, and that we
should discontinue them. But I already knew that I didn't want
the hot flashes, dry papery skin and lack of libido that I felt
with no hormones. And I knew that the level of hormone was much
less than I had when I actually had my ovaries, so I decided to
do more research. Luckily, this hormone/headache clue was
important to actually finding the answer.
I read a book from Rodale Press, From A to Zinc: A Guide to
Vitamins and Minerals, which I believe is no longer in print. It
covered Dr. Altura's research into magnesium, and briefly
mentioned migraine and hormones in the same paragraph. I knew I
had softened water at home and at work, and I had recently lost
weight on a very low fat diet. I charted my food for a week, and
saw that I averaged only 150mg magnesium daily. I was
deficient.
It was enough for me to decide to try a test.
I began taking 500 mg daily and charted my headaches. I could see
that each headache's duration was less than the previous one, and
the time between started to lengthen. 30 days after starting, the
headaches stopped. I stopped taking the magnesium and 3 days
later, BAM, a headache! I treated it with about 1500 mg divided
through the day, and it calmed down. I tried dropping my daily
dosage to 250 (because the US RDA was only 300 for women and I
was getting 150 in my diet), but I get headaches at that level. I
believe the RDA value was far too low.
I tell anyone and everyone who will listen about this because I
believe no one should suffer with migraine if they don't have
to.
In 1996, my husband had a heart attack, and had angina afterward
which he treated with nitroglycerin. I convinced him to also take
magnesium. He no longer even has nitroglycerin tablets in the
house.
It is a major blessing to have this inexpensive solution and the
knowledge to use it.
Pass it on,
Fri, 9 Aug 2002 07:58:45 0400
FIBROMYALGIA
I have used Mg to fight some of the fibromyalgia symptoms and
restore my sleep. It had a very dramatic effect. It also has
calmed my nerves. The effect has been so dramatic that I now
believe that the fibromyalgia was caused by stress to my body
coupled with a lack of magnesium. I am a male, fifty years old
and tend to eat a high calcium diet.
Thu, 22 Aug 2002 20:18:02 0700
MIGRAINES
Yes, magnesium is one of the things that I have to do to
prevent migraines. Other triggers are eating certain foods:
onion, ham, citrus, banana. I also must drink plenty of water,
get plenty of exercise, and take Verapamil.
Tue, 27 Aug 2002 15:58:15 0400
MIGRAINES
I am 49 year old woman and I can swear by magnesium. I have
had migraines for about thirty years now. I have every shot and
medication the neurologist and medical doctor could prescribe. I
had read somewhere over the Internet about magnesium and started
taking it. I take about 250 mg. a day. I find if I take more than
that I will have some loose bowels. I rarely have a migraine and
if I do, they are not very severe.
My son who is 19 years of age and is currently serving in the US
Army. He has just been diagnosed with severe migraines caused
from stress. I plan to go out tonight and ship him a bottle of
magnesium. I will also include the letters from your site
expressing what magnesium has done for them.
Wed, 28 Aug 2002 11:14:50 0600
MIGRAINES
This weekend while on a business trip, my husband (who also
has migraines) was talking with another gentleman about his
recent problems with migraine headaches. He had lost several days
at work and someone suggested he try using magnesium to help with
the headaches. He said he had been taking magnesium pills for
three weeks and had not had a migraine since he started. About
three hours later during a work seminar, my husband started
seeing his "aura" and it was going to be a bad one. The friend
had some magnesium capsules in his vehicle and gave one to my
husband. After taking a pill and about 2 hours later, to his
surprise, the migraine never formed. He had a slight headache in
the base of his neck but nothing in comparison to his usual
migraines.
After the work seminar was over, he came back to the motel and
was explaining what had happened, He was in utter disbelief, in
all his life he had never had a migraine quit once he had seen
his aura.
I also suffer from migraines but have the additional joy of
having cluster headaches too. I recently had started one of my
cycles with the clusters and was taking several prescription
drugs daily combined with extra strength Tylenol. I took one of
the magnesium pills that night and within an hour or two the
headache had dulled tremendously. I have taken 500 mg a day since
then and have not had a cluster or migraine since. Its only been
about 6 days, and there is still a slight headache occasionally,
but compared to what my headaches usually are, these are a piece
of cake.
Thu, 29 Aug 2002 11:13:14 0400
MIGRAINES
Yes, I used to suffer from severe migraines and my doctor
prescribed Imitrex shots. I was also suffering from restless leg
syndrome and was talking to my chiropractor about it and he
suggested adding magnesium to my diet. He explained that
magnesium in tablets take about 6 weeks to get into the blood
stream in amounts that would show improvement, so I went on a
search for a liquid that would enter the cell much faster and I
found one from a company called Young Living Essential Oils. They
have a product called Mineral Essence which has 60 trace minerals
along with magnesium. I have not had a migraine or restless leg
syndrome since the 3rd day of taking the Mineral Essence and that
was in June 1999. I had been suffering for about 5 years. I truly
believe I had a magnesium deficiency and am glad I found Young
Living.
Fri, 30 Aug 2002 15:12:09 +1200
JUVENILE MIGRAINES
My daughter has suffered form migraines since she was a
toddler and probably before she could tell us what the problem
was. We thought she had a stomach problem when she was younger.
We went through years of hearing that there was not much that we
could do for a child unless we put her on daily medication. I
didn't like that idea unless there were no other options. I
finally went to a acupuncturist / natural therapist who put her
onto 3 half tablets of magnesium a day. It was miraculous. My
daughter, now six, has gone from having severe fortnightly
migraines/vomiting etc to only the very occasional headache that
has only developed to a migraine once in 6 months and that was
probably due to the fact that I had been a bit lax on giving her
magnesium that week. We also noticed she was a lot calmer while
taking magnesium. She tended to get very excited or the other
extreme of overly anxious. We have found magnesium to be
fantastic even if our G.P smiled and said "Well, I guess if you
think it is helping, that's good." I could tell she was not
convinced. I have started having headaches myself now and think I
will also give it a go.
Date: Sat, 7 Sep 2002 19:32:56 EDT
HOMEMADE Mg-BICARBONATE WATER
For some time I've been drinking a Mg-bicarbonate water that I
make very inexpensively from Milk of Magnesia (magnesium
hydroxide) and seltzer water (CO2 water). It has (by math) ~84 mg
Mg and ~422 mg bicarbonate per liter and tastes great. The
downside is that this water has no other minerals, but I do take
a multi-mineral tablet. Here's the recipe:
The equation Mg(OH)2 + (CO2)2 = Mg(HCO3)2 is interesting, because
Mg(OH)2 is magnesium hydroxide, as in milk of magnesia (MoM), and
CO2 is the fizz in carbonated (seltzer) water. Combining them
produces Mg(HCO3)2 (magnesium-bicarbonate), as in
... and Adobe Springs ("Noah's")
water. Be sure to get the MoM in which the "active ingredient" is
Magnesium-hydroxide and nothing else, and the "inactive
ingredient" is purified water and nothing else. You'll see on the
label that one teaspoon of MoM = 400 mg of Mg-hydroxide. 42 % of
Mg-hydroxide is Mg, which equals 168 mg of Mg per teaspoon. Chill
for an hour or two in the refrigerator a 1 liter bottle of
seltzer water (not soda water), which consists of water and CO2
only. Open it, and when the fizzing settles down, spoon in 2
tablespoons (6 teaspoons) of milk of magnesia, put the cap back
on, shake gently every few minutes and watch the cloudiness
disappear as the Mg-hydroxide reacts with the CO2 and becomes
Mg-bicarbonate. This 1 liter (approximately 1 quart) will have
~1,008 mg of magnesium + ~5,061 mg of bicarbonate.
Summary: 1 liter seltzer water + 2 tablespoons (6 teaspoons) milk
of magnesia = ~1,008 mg of magnesium + ~5,061 mg of bicarbonate
per liter (~ 1 quart). You should dilute this, 1 part Mg
bicarbonate water with 11 parts regular water, so 1 liter of the
concentrated will yield 12 liters (about 3 gallons) of drinkable
water with ~84 mg Mg and ~422 mg bicarbonate per liter, close to
Adobe Springs water, below, for Mg and bicarbonate, and probably
for pH also: Adobe Springs ("Noah's") magnesium and bicarbonate
rich spring water is from some mountains in California - see
adobe.shtml Adobe Springs water has 120
mg Mg and 410 mg bicarbonate per liter, with a pH of 8.3,
according to their web-site.
Here's the easy way to get the drinkable water from the
concentrate:
After you've made the 1 liter (1,000 ml) concentrate, measure out
1/3 of it (333 ml) in a measuring cup. Pour it into a 1 gallon
bottle and fill with regular water. I'm already drinking it, and
it tastes pretty good!
2 tablespoons (6 teaspoons) of MoM per one liter of seltzer water
seems to be the correct amount- it all reacted with all of the
CO2 (no MoM residue and no apparent fizzing, even when shaking
the bottle). My cost is $ 0.81 per gallon using reverse osmosis
water from the machine at the local market @ 39 cents per gallon.
Using tap water it would be 42 cents per gallon. Cheap!
My cost: MoM, $4.29 for 71 tsp = $ 0.36 for 6 tsp.
Seltzer water ----------------$ 0.89 for 1 liter
RO water ---------------------$ 1.17 for 3 gallons
Total -------------------------- $ 2.42 for 3 gallons, or $ 0.81
per gallon.
Wed, 11 Sep 2002 00:04:58 +0000
MIGRAINES
I started having chronic migraine headaches in 1993.For the
next three years I saw every type of doctor that deals with
migraine suffers. I had more tests than I care to remember.
Sometime in 1996 a doctor tried to put me on anti depressants
when I was not depressed.(Which is pretty amazing considering I
had some level of pain 3 to 5 days a week.) After that I started
trying vitamins and herbs and read everything I could find.
Nothing helped, but I never gave up. I can think of dozens of
things I avoided because those variables did increase frequency
and intensity (Allergies, alcohol, cold hands/feet, stress,
chewing hard foods, bright light, over exercising...). Avoidance
tactics did bring the frequency down to 1 to 3 days a
week.(Yeah!)
I know this seems early but, I started taking magnesium 8 days
ago and I have not had a single headache. Even narcotics never
gave me this kind of relief for this long. I have not been
avoiding the things that bring on the headaches either, and I
think I am about to start living again.: )
Mon, 16 Sep 2002 23:26:24 EDT
MIGRAINES
I was diagnosed with migraine headaches about 12 years ago and
averaged about 6 episodes monthly. I have oxycodone on hand for
the really bad headaches, but have never taken any "preventive"
medications. In January of this year, I began taking 500 mg of
magnesium daily, and in a few months, my migraines were reduced
to 2 3 per month. I have never experienced any side effects from
this over the counter medication and it's very reasonably priced.
Magnesium has made all the difference in the world to me and I
would highly recommend that migraine sufferers give it a try.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002 13:45:34 EDT
MIGRAINES
I had never heard that magnesium would help migraines. After
taking magnesium for three weeks I realized I had not had a
headache in that period. I had been plagued with migraines for
over 40 years! Now I have had only two in the six months I have
been taking magnesium supplements, and they were not as bad as
before. I call magnesium my wonder drug.
Fri, 27 Sep 2002 15:03:38 +0530
HEADACHES
The role of calcium and magnesium together is very
interesting. I took an ayurvedic medicine containing both
magnesium and calcium, on prescription, and recovered within a
few days from headache.
Tue, 1 Oct 2002 16:58:36 0700 (PDT)
MIGRAINES
I started using a calcium/magnesium powder supplement last
August in the hopes that it would help me sleep better. I have
not had a migraine since and have barely had a headache at all. I
used to often wake up with some degree of headache pain but not
since using the supplement. I can't believe the difference. Are
doctors aware of this?
Thu, 3 Oct 2002 10:49:43 EDT
MUSCLE SPASMS
I have diagnoses of FMS and CFIDS. I live on a farm with my
own hard water well and never suspected I could be Mg
deficient.
After two docs recommended Mg, I tried numerous brands and types
in tabs and caps and experienced little change. However, thanks
to a 25 year old book by an MD who recommends liquid Mg, plus two
infomercials also touting the liquid form, I began to take Milk
of Magnesia....... yes, the $3.00/24oz. of brand plain old Mg
hydroxide. What a difference...... finally some real relief from
muscles spasms so severe they pulled the vertebrae out of
alignment plus many other pain relief issues.
Thu, 31 Oct 2002 21:01:09 +0000
RESTLESS LEGS
I just had to write to you to tell you how wonderful I feel
after taking 'Magnesium'. I feel as if I have had a new lease on
life, I can't believe how good it is.
I had 'restless legs' and had heard that it was good, but I
didn't know how good, I also had to wear 'insoles' in my shoes as
I was told that the arches in my feet as dropped, and you
wouldn't believe the pains that I got in my feet, ankles, heels,
cramp in my legs all the time, I couldn't walk far without
getting tired and pains in my legs I thought that it was because
I stood up all day.
Its the most 'magic mineral' and I'm surprised that I managed
without it so long, 'Thank god' for the knowledge that a P.C.
brings. My general health is much better now, I get a good
night's sleep, and at 62 still do two jobs, and a good social
life and everyone tells me that I look younger and well.
I could go on a lot longer about the wonders of 'Magnesium' and
have got quite a lot of people using it with good results.
Sun, 17 Nov 2002 15:46:17 -0800
CALCIUM DEPOSIT
My wife developed a calcium deposit in her eyelid. We took
Calcium tablets from GNC, don't remember which ones, however she
developed this irritating deposit in her eyelid. I read where
Magnesium would work to remove the deposit. After taking
magnesium for a week or so, it wasn't bothering her anymore. Been
gone for several months now...
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2002 14:09:06 +0800
MIGRAINES
After 4 or 5 years of almost daily migraines, which often
confined me to bed, a doctor recently prescribed myoplex
containing 250mg of magnesium chelate (equiv. to 50mg of
elemental mg)..Myoplex also contains equiv. to 25 mg of elemental
calcium and 100mg of passion flower and 50mg valerian. It is 3
weeks since my last headache, the longest headache free period in
5 years.
Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 18:49:28 -0500
CALCIUM DEPOSIT
My wife developed a calcium deposit in her eyelid. We took
Calcium tablets from GNC, don't remember which ones, however she
developed this irritating deposit in her eyelid. I read where
Magnesium would work to remove the deposit. After taking
magnesium for a week or so, it wasn't bothering her anymore. Been
gone for several months now...
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2002 14:09:06 +0800
MIGRAINES
After 4 or 5 years of almost daily migraines, which often
confined me to bed, a doctor recently prescribed myoplex
containing 250mg of magnesium chelate (equiv. to 50mg of
elemental mg)..Myoplex also contains equiv. to 25 mg of elemental
calcium and 100mg of passion flower and 50mg valerian. It is 3
weeks since my last headache, the longest headache free period in
5 years.
Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2002 09:02:03 +1100
OSTEOARTHRITIS
Dear Sir/Mdm I would like to begin precautionary treatment of
oestoarthritis with the addition of magnesium bicarbonate to
water. Could you inform me if this is practical and a readily
available source of MB
Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2002 12:50:57 EST
BORDERLINE HYPERTENSION, PVCs
By taking a calcium and magnesium supplement (1/2 tab daily of
Solgar's 'Calcium Magnesium Plus Boron') I have normalized my
previous borderline hypertension and greatly reduced my PVC and
occasional SVT episodes. Additionally, I seem to sleep more
soundly and have less anxiety.
Occasionally, I will stop taking the supplement to see whether or
not my symptoms return. Within a few days the symptoms begin to
reoccur, and within a week or two they fully manifest.
There is no doubt that taking a calcium and magnesium supplement
has improved the quality of my life.
This page was updated on May 30, 2003
This page was first uploaded to The Magnesium Web Site on
November 13, 2002
http://www.mgwater.com/
Healthy Water
Association--USA