Magnesium - Questions about a possible trigger

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darcness

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The more I think about this, the more I really feel like it could be something to really look into for me and my wife. As you all know, she has an unknown form of E and she's been having some troubles lately.

When I think back on things, the idea of adding Magnesium sounds more and more promising. My wife has always had headaches, so that was the first clue that it could be related to a Magnesium deficiency. I know many people here take it for such.

On top of the headaches, there's the obvious tonic-clonic seizures and the one partial that she had. Another thing that could be exaggerated by low Magnesium.

The latest thing is the myoclonic jerks. Again, I've read so many things pointing to taking Magnesium to alleviate and sometimes control these.

So my question is, what is a good supplement to take and how should we decide how much for her to take? I've already suggested to her about it and she was really receptive so I think it's worth a try. Just not sure how to go about it.

Edit: Just found another one. My wife has horrible cramps during her period. Wouldn't you know that Magnesium helps with that too.
 
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Robin is the expert on this and will hopefully reply to your post but I take Jigsaw Health Magnesium SRT (sustained release). It doesn't cause the cramping and diarrhea some other forms cause. I have upped my dosage and have seen a decrease in my migraines. Hard to say about the seizures since I haven't had one since I went on medication after my diagnosis about 13 months ago. I'm hoping it will keep them away too. As for dosage, I've been playing around a bit with the dosage to see what makes me feel best. I started with the recommended amount and went up from there. Again though, Robin is the expert and can better answer this question!
 
Magnesium

After stopping the meds I went to see this holistic practitioner (I call him the vitamin guru) who came highly recommended. One of the 1st things he said, "I can't express to you how important it is for you to be taking magnesium." He gave me Magnelevures (comes in a blue box) and consists of 30 individual packets. It cost $34.50 for a month supply and I take one packet before bed. It definitely seems to be helping. Originally he had me taking 2 packets daily and I'm not quite sure why I'm down to one now. Perhaps I should still be taking 2 packets? I totally forget now, but I know he had me taking 2 packets daily and I don't recall him reducing it so I will have to call him. You just add the packet to warm water and drink it. I take them at night since my seizures are nocturnal.
 
To be

truthful, it depends on the TYPE of magnesium you buy. If you buy the tablets, for example, you can take a certain amount (up to 1000 mg)--or up to where your bowels become loose.

Using ionic magesium, which Robin uses, the dosage is different. She'd be better able to tell you about it. Liquid magnesium is different in concentration than the tablets, so making sure that you are getting what you need is a little bit different.
 
Thanks Meetz. I'll definitely see what Robin has to say. There's some seriously crazy stuff going on tonight. I think abscence seizures or something. Tera keeps closing her eyes and spacing out every so often. Doesn't appear to be altering her cognitive function at all and she's not bothered by it.

I think at times the E bothers me more then it does her. Go figure. I'm getting better at coping though. It's just really hard sometimes.
 
I'm glad

to hear that, darcness. I'm sure it's not easy for you, as a caregiver. Sometimes I think it's harder on the caregivers than it is on the E patients....

Do make sure that you talk to the neurologist about everything's that going on....
 
Will do Meetz.

Honestly I know there's really nothing I can do about these things, the myoclonics and the abscense, if that's what they are. Most I can do is just let them happen and pass I would think.

Getting frustrated isn't going to do either one of us any good, that's for sure.

Is there anything she can do when she's having these abscense seizures? Anything I can do? Again, another whole new ball game for me unfortunately.
 
Nope, just

keep track of them, stay calm and let things go. Things will work out on their own. That may not be what you want to hear, but it's the best I can tell ya...:paperbag:
 
The Philtrum

I'm not sure why people don't use the Philtrum more often? (The dent below the nose above the lip) to stop the seizures? This is a pressure point known as the rescue spot and literally brings you right out of the seizure and works for other things as well. It works everytime for me (my husband presses it and it pulls me right out of it) and I've heard of others that use that pressure point for E. Why not try that when you see her seizing (any kind of seizure)? It makes no sense to me why one wouldn't use that spot if they know about it. I'm perplexed as to why the neuros don't even tell us about it since it definitely does work and even my husband was shocked to see it work so quickly. Maybe it's bad to do all the time or something? I only ask because I can't understand why everyone isn't using it to stop the seizures. Personally I thought of getting some kind of lip ring there and maybe it would stop the seizures altogether! NO, I know it's not a good idea since that spot works for other things as well. But, I do think it's something the caregiver can do or maybe try anyway. Maybe it doesn't work for everyone, I don't know.
 
Sorry, I didn't know I was late for the meeting...

I would be running out to the store (or shopping online) as fast as I could if I thought a mineral was going to help a few health issues.

Please I am not an expert, I have done quite a lot of research, which you can follow through the links that are scattered through CWE. Or Google it, and begin your own research. Dr Blaylock, and others believe we are not getting enough magnesium. It was my life saver, and has been a steady supplement in Rebecca stash each day.

I think we began with between 400-600 mg and increased it slowly until there were the effects that we wanted to occur (good consistent BM's) Now that we are taking the Jigsaw brand, there is not that side effect, and neither of us feel we need quite as much as we were taking before. Perhaps that is due to the fact that the body isn't eliminating it quickly. It is a slow release. This particular brand is recommended by Dr Blaylock, someone that I hold in high esteem. He is a neurological surgeon and spends his time doing research these days.

Talk to her softly and tell her that you are there for her.

Have you also begun an elimination diet? Have you considered some of the information that is being shared about this? This is something that the two of you can do together. More and more and more information is being shared on the internet that there is a connection between many neurological issues and gluten / casein / soy / corn. Remember knowledge is power.
 
I knew you'd pull through for me Robin!

Thanks so much. I'm going to go ahead and order a 2 month supply of the Jigsaw Magesium supplements and we're going to give it a go. My wife is on board too. As soon as I told her it helps with menstral cramps she was all about it. Ha!

Hopefully it will do some good. Thanks so much Robin. You truly are a great asset to this place and E as a whole!

BTW, hows your daughter been doing lately? I hope things are going well. Last I heard things were going really well for you both.
 
Glad I can share some of our experience with others. Just be sure to tell your wife to learn to listen to her body. It will tell her whether it is working or not. I appreciate your kind words.

My daughter has been doing great. She did have a seizure after 4+ months, but we believe we have a handle on why that occurred. So, she is determined to work extra hard to keep her seizure threshold high. We both know it is moving in a positive direction. Being med free that is a huge success. Thanks for asking.
 
Hmmm...I've never heard of the philtrum...I'll have to research that one.....

As for magnesium...I use it. I use tablets that I buy at the store. They're usually like less then $20 for a month. The dose I use is 1000 mg. per day. In other words, 500 mg 2 x per day. If your bowels are really loose, you're taking too much. I told my neuro about it after the fact, and he had no problems with it. Your wife may find that after being on magn. for a while, her PMS symptoms abate as well as the headaches. She might also fing that she craves chocolate less.
 
I stopped taking my magnesium about 3 months ago-maybe thats why both my seizures and my pms have got really bad....methinks I should start taking tham again....
 
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