Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker

[lithiumnomore]

Thanks, Alto. Looking back at my symptoms there's some correlation between magnesium and symptoms. Could be I was desperate and trying new things when I was worse. I'm suspicious of the magnesium because I'm getting the facial flushing feeling.

[Lemanna]

Very confused over magnesium whether it"s OK?

Really confused over whether magnesium is Ok to take. Welcome anyone's experience of taking it, have read all the links on here already. Counsellor who's been through withdrawal and this site recommend it. But face group I belong to seem to view as the devil's food keep saying will make me worse. I've been taking it 3 days and so far OK. Only taking 50mg, recommended dose is 200MG? I had the most dreadful wave last week even though about reinstating zopiclone. Has eased a bit last few days. Previously any reactions to supplements have come on within about 4 days

 

Edited August 31, 2020 by ChessieCat
added topic title

[ChessieCat]

What are you taking the magnesium for?

 

If you want to take it for it's calming effect, then it is better to take it throughout the day.

 

You also need to make sure that you get plain magnesium which doesn't contain any other supplements.  Some contain calcium which cancels out the calming effect of magnesium.  If you do take a calcium supplement separately they need to be taken 2 hours apart.  Some magnesium has vitamins added, especially B6, which can be activating.

 

When starting anything new it is best to try a small dose first to see how you react.  And it is best to only try something new one at a time, otherwise if you feel worse you will not know what caused the worsening.  And you should only make one change at a time for the same reason.

 

the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it-stable

 

[ChessieCat]

15 minutes ago, Lemanna said:

Really confused over whether magnesium is Ok to take. Welcome anyone's experience of taking it, have read all the links on here already. Counsellor who's been through withdrawal and this site recommend it. But face group I belong to seem to view as the devil's food keep saying will make me worse.

 

Some members find it helpful, other find it doesn't seem to do anything and some find that they feel worse.  So, different people react differently and there is no way to know how you will be affected.  Starting with a low dose like I posted above is that only way to find out if it is beneficial for you or not.

 

I have run out of magnesium several times and have noticed my irritability worse each time.  And when I restarted taking it I noticed an improvement in my irritability.

[Lemanna]

1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

What are you taking the magnesium for?

 

If you want to take it for it's calming effect, then it is better to take it throughout the day.

 

You also need to make sure that you get plain magnesium which doesn't contain any other supplements.  Some contain calcium which cancels out the calming effect of magnesium.  If you do take a calcium supplement separately they need to be taken 2 hours apart.  Some magnesium has vitamins added, especially B6, which can be activating.

 

When starting anything new it is best to try a small dose first to see how you react.  And it is best to only try something new one at a time, otherwise if you feel worse you will not know what caused the worsening.  And you should only make one change at a time for the same reason.

 

the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it-stable

 

Taking it for OCD type symptoms general anxiety. It's magnesium citrate no calcium. Cut the tablets into half so 50mg. Really big tablets so not sure I could break them up even more. Take them in the evening. Just find difficult to know best thing to do as some people seem think it's awful. Have read no good when tapering but I stopped 10 weeks ago.

[ChessieCat]

12 minutes ago, Lemanna said:

Cut the tablets into half so 50mg. Really big tablets so not sure I could break them up even more.

 

I take magnesium citrate.  My tablets are 150mg and I break them in half and take 1/2 a tablet in the morning and 1/2 a tablet at night.  If I feel a bit more anxious than usual, I will take an extra 1/2 a tablet during the day.

 

15 minutes ago, Lemanna said:

Have read no good when tapering

 

I'm tapering and take magnesium.  I have found it very helpful and noticed the difference when I stopped taking it when I ran out of tablets.

 

 

[Frogie]

1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

I take magnesium citrate.  My tablets are 150mg and I break them in half and take 1/2 a tablet in the morning and 1/2 a tablet at night.  If I feel a bit more anxious than usual, I will take an extra 1/2 a tablet during the day.

I also take magnesium citrate. I take 200 mg morning, afternoon and evening. Am I taking too much? I see you break your 150 mg in 1/2 and only take it morning and evening.

 

Thanks!

Frogie xx

[Lemanna]

4 hours ago, Frogie said:

I also take magnesium citrate. I take 200 mg morning, afternoon and evening. Am I taking too much? I see you break your 150 mg in 1/2 and only take it morning and evening.

 

Thanks!

Frogie xx

Do you feel OK on them, been so nervous as seen lot of negative reviews on another site, might up mine to 100mg in couple weeks if I feel OK on them

[Frogie]

3 hours ago, Lemanna said:

Do you feel OK on them, been so nervous as seen lot of negative reviews on another site, might up mine to 100mg in couple weeks if I feel OK on them

I feel ok taking it. 

[Gridley]

43 minutes ago, Frogie said:

I feel ok taking it. 

I think dosage is very individual with magnesium.  You're good at listening to your body.   If you feel ok with your dosage, it's probably fine.  And if it helps with the post-Xanax anxiety, it's could be very valuable.

[Frogie]

24 minutes ago, Gridley said:

I think dosage is very individual with magnesium.  You're good at listening to your body.   If you feel ok with your dosage, it's probably fine.  And if it helps with the post-Xanax anxiety, it's could be very valuable.

Thanks Gridley!

 

 

[ChessieCat]

9 hours ago, Frogie said:

I also take magnesium citrate. I take 200 mg morning, afternoon and evening. Am I taking too much?

 

From the bottom of Post #1 of this topic:

 

On 10/8/2011 at 6:22 AM, Altostrata said:

 

If you take too much magnesium, you will know because you'll get stomach cramps or diarrhea. Reduce the amount you're taking if these things occur.

 

 

[Frogie]

15 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

 

From the bottom of Post #1 of this topic:

 

 

Thank you for the information! 

[Nnaa]

Various online articles suggest it's preferable to get magnesium from food e.g. https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/07/10/what-foods-contain-magnesium_a_23024245/.

 

What's the SA stance on this? I've checked a lot of pages of this topic and can't seem to find an answer, but would prefer to try from food before adding a supplement I think...

 

Thanks all.

 

[Altostrata]

As explained earlier in this topic, factory farming has depleted the soil of minerals, consequently many people now are not getting enough magnesium from food.

 

Many people find magnesium supplements helpful to take the edge off withdrawal symptoms. You cannot get that concentration of magnesium from food.

[Shelton]

On 8/31/2020 at 8:08 AM, ChessieCat said:

 

I take magnesium citrate.  My tablets are 150mg and I break them in half and take 1/2 a tablet in the morning and 1/2 a tablet at night.  If I feel a bit more anxious than usual, I will take an extra 1/2 a tablet during the day.

Hey ChessieCat! 
 

I took Magnesium Glycinate 50mg at first to try it and felt calm and fell asleep great. I tried 50mg later and it didn’t have the same effect. I have tried 100mg at random times when I had a headache or super anxious and didn’t notice a huge difference. 
 

Should I try citrate or should I take the Glycinate more consistently instead of as needed?

 

Im using it for the severe chemical anxiety/irritability and even trying to see if it may help headache/migraines. 

[ChessieCat]

Have you read Post #1 of this topic.  If not, please do, as it will most likely answer your questions.

[Andrewr]

Hi, anybody here have some good experience with transdermal Mg oil? I still can't figure out how to stop laxative effect of Mg.I tried a lot of forms. So i suggested that i try transdermal form. But I read some studies about it and lot of them says that good absorbtion of this form of Mg Is not yet scientifically proven. So I'm little bit confused if i should give it a try or not because what if it'll be just a placebo... 

[ChessieCat]

There is a lot of good information in Post #1 of this topic.

 

10 hours ago, Andrewr said:

 

I still can't figure out how to stop laxative effect of Mg.I tried a lot of forms.

 

 

 Q:  Are you taking it in one dose per day or throughout the day?

 

Magnesium works better for the calming effect if taken throughout the day.

 

On 10/8/2011 at 6:22 AM, Altostrata said:

 

If you take too much magnesium, you will know because you'll get stomach cramps or diarrhea. Reduce the amount you're taking if these things occur.

 

 

On 10/8/2011 at 6:22 AM, Altostrata said:

 

Don't overdo taking magnesium -- too much will give you diarrhea. Start with 25mg. (I was never able to take more than 50mg-75mg at a time, but others can take much more.) To start, you will want to get 100mg tablets you can cut up or 100mg capsules you can open, so you can try a lower dose and gradually increase if you wish.

 

 

Magnesium in the form of Epsom Salts gets absorbed through the skin when taking a bath so it would stand to reason that applying a lotion containing magnesium would also be absorbed.

 

On 10/8/2011 at 6:22 AM, Altostrata said:

 

Some people get magnesium by taking hot baths in Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate), See Epsom salts baths -- another way to relax with magnesium

 

Others rub on magnesium oil. It's not really an oil; under high pressure, magnesium is dissolved in water. The magnesium is absorbed through the skin. This is a another way of taking magnesium. Some find it gentler than taking magnesium by mouth.

 

 

[Altostrata]

Throughout this topic, it's probably been mentioned a dozen times or more that taking too much magnesium, especially taking too much at one time, may cause diarrhea. This is also readily discoverable in Google search.

 

Magnesium is best taken in SMALL doses throughout the day. If you take too much in any form, you may get stomach cramps or loose stools. Yes, magnesium oil is absorbable, as is magnesium in Epsom salts bath.

 

Reading informational topics like this one FROM THE BEGINNING usually will answer any questions you might have.

[Andrewr]

I was taking 50mg of elemental Mg per one dose. I think that's really a low dose and still i got pretty strong Gut discomfort just from this one dose... i Tried lot od forms, never eaten oxide. Tablets with lower doses doesn't exist So if i want even lower dose i would need to buy powder And put it in tablets myself because i can't drink powder with water. Even a smallest dose mixed with water gives me diarrhea So...It's sad that i can't take more because Mag was helping me a lot. Didn't know if the wonder effect was made by acids/aminoacids or magnesium itself. It worked like wonder especially the malate. My deep dark depression was cured every time i took IT.

[ChessieCat]

Have you tried using Epsom salts in a bath or foot tub/bucket?

 

Start with a SMALL amount first.

 

Edited November 26, 2020 by ChessieCat

[gdsequoia]

Magnesium (the DrBest chelated form) has been a lifesaver for me. I used to be almost unable to walk due to extremely tight/painful thigh muscles (caused by abilify WD). 400mg of the magnesium has allowed me to walk (when doctors wanted to put me on pregabalin and/or Duloxetine instead).

 

I realize it's a stop-gap solution for me, but that takes nothing away from the awesomeness.

 

I've also found roasted pumpkin seeds practical for adding some extra magnesium without going over the DrBest recommended maximal dose. (they have a lot of salt on them but I wash the salt away under the sink, because it's not healthy).

 

I don't take magnesium citrate, because it can cause electrolyte dysbalances (it's an osmotic laxative). I used to take magnesium oxide for years for my constipation with no apparent adverse effects, but I no longer do (for the same reason as the citrate).

[gdsequoia]

On 11/25/2020 at 1:39 PM, Andrewr said:

I still can't figure out how to stop laxative effect of Mg.

Check this link out. Quote from there:

Quote

Better tolerated, minimizes laxative effect -- even at therapeutic doses.

... which, in my experience, is totally true.

[Janece]

Lawd have mercy !!!! I have been taking a calcium/magnesium supplement during the day and hadn't noticed any increased withdrawals , but when I found out that magnesium was used to ease the withdrawals I wanted to take them at night to see if it would ease my wd , my wd take place at night when I go to bed,  I guess this is because before I slept at night I would pop my meds then go right to bed. And also I read that the body detox its hardest at night and the peak times are at 1am -3 am.... that what I read .. I just wanted to know why most of my withdrawals were taking place at night when I go to bed . But anyway... I was fine all night tonight , no sign of wd or anything had laid in bed and all and I decided to take one of my calcium/magnesium pills just incase wd start up during the night even though there were no sings of wd yet .. I was feeling awesome calm and relaxed tonight but when I popped about 2 of those calcium magnesium pills , omg! I felt extreme , a bit short of breath, and distorted, slight ringing ears,and a slight headache and a bit psychosis. And I know without a shout of a doubt it was the vitamins that I took , I read that magnesium at high dosages might worsen wd symtoms and , my magnesium was 500mg ... I think that's a tad bit too high.  I wish I would have found this site before I went and purchased these vitamins. Due to what I just seen tonight , I will not be taking a high dosage of magnesium again at night , I'm sure. I was just fine had laid in bed and every thing feeling blessed beyond measure but when I took those vitamins it immediately changed. Wished I wouldn't have taken them .. now I feel like I dont even want to deal with magnesium at all , period!! It's starting to wear off a bit I believe.... I'm not short of breath anymore and I'm calm.

[ChessieCat]

1 hour ago, Janece said:

I have been taking a calcium/magnesium supplement

 

@Janece

 

Please see the following which is in Post #1 of this topic:

  

On 10/8/2011 at 6:22 AM, Altostrata said:

PLEASE NOTE:  Some magnesium tablets contain additional ingredients.

 

Calcium:  cancels the calming effect of magnesium and should be taken 2 hours apart

 

B vitamins:  can be activating, especially B6

[Ebee12058]

Has anyone experienced OCD-like symptoms when taking Magnesium Taurate? I took 1/2 of a 62mg pill, so 31 mg, & noticed that while I did feel more calm, my thoughts were laser focused on my withdrawl. I couldn't seem to think about anything else. I'm not normally like this, except when they put me on Wellbutrin. Then OCD & anxiety to the extreme. I'm just wondering if it could have been the taurine amino acid & not the magnessium that caused this? I really liked how it calmed me down but can't abide obsessive thoughts.

[ChessieCat]

SA's recommendation is to only take a single supplement, not a complex.

 

There are various types of magnesium available.  Check out the types and then do a search using a search engine and add site:survivingantidepressants.org to the search term.  So as an example search site:survivingantidepressants.org magnesium taurate.  This search did get results.

 

There is a list here about different types.  I provided this for the list, not the information about each type.

 

https://globalhealing.com/natural-health/types-of-magnesium/

 

Be aware that some magnesium supplements contain calcium, which cancels out the calming effect and should be taking 2 hours apart, and some contain Vitamin B6 which can be activating.

 

Edited March 30, 2021 by ChessieCat

[Junebug567]

Does anyone have experience with magnesium L threonate? It's supposed to be good for the brain. It crosses the blood brain barrier.

I just got a bottle and want to start taking it. I hope it's ok to take it with my meds.

[BfromNJ]

Hello I have a question on magnesium glycinate.   I am going to be starting it.  I know to start low.  I think 25 mg .   But if I want to divide it up, do I take 12.5 and 12.5 am and pm maybe?  Or do 25 am and 25 pm?   It will just be hard cutting up those large tablets.  They are 100 mg.  

[gdsequoia]

13 hours ago, BfromNJ said:

Hello I have a question on magnesium glycinate.   I am going to be starting it.  I know to start low.  I think 25 mg .   But if I want to divide it up, do I take 12.5 and 12.5 am and pm maybe?  Or do 25 am and 25 pm? 

Depends; what is your reason for dividing the dose up?

[BfromNJ]

5 hours ago, gdsequoia said:

Depends; what is your reason for dividing the dose up?

I was reading earlier on in this thread that it can be a benefit to divide it up.  I think at the very beginning.  I want to take am and pm for calming effect.  Although I don't need it for sleep, so maybe just in the am since I seem to wake up very anxious?  

[Kevman2112]

Can magnesium make things worse if you take it and then stop?  I took some yesterday, 250mg,  in the morning, made me feel sleepy and overall not much if any improvement.  Today I am feeling worse than I did yesterday pre magnesium and different than my typical pattern based on where I am in my last drop.

[BfromNJ]

1 hour ago, Kevman2112 said:

Can magnesium make things worse if you take it and then stop?  I took some yesterday, 250mg,  in the morning, made me feel sleepy and overall not much if any improvement.  Today I am feeling worse than I did yesterday pre magnesium and different than my typical pattern based on where I am in my last drop.

I myself find that I cannot take magnesium , even in low doses.  It actually makes me feel worse and more anxious.  Also I get tingly and feel weird.   Maybe it is the magnesium you are reacting to just happens to be the day later.   Give it some time not taking it and see.  

[HopeFloats]

Hi everyone -

 

It has been a long while since I have been around. I am still fighting this madness and working on getting off this poison. Going on 23 months for me since reinstating Prozac.   A lot has happened to me and I have so much to discuss.

 

For now though I am wondering about switching from Magnesium Citrate to Magnesium Glycinate as I believe the citrate is aggravating my bladder.

 

Unfortunately, I have developed the constant feeling of needing to urinate.  It is truly horrific. I had this when I was in acute withdrawals but it was very infrequent so I never gave it much attention and did not realize the magnitude of that symptom at that time.  This past April it came back with a vengeance after doing the Keto diet (big mistake for me).

 

I’m currently  working with a Urologist and Physical Therapist to determine if I have Interstitial Cystitis and/or Pelvic Floor Disorder.   I can’t help but think this could be tied to withdrawals as well. 
 

I have been suspicious that the citrate was aggravating my bladder so I decided to switch to the glycinate version last night. 
 

Luckily, I noticed an improvement with my bladder however it made me feel very sleepy and sorta like I had car sickness.  The top of my head has heavy pressure as well. 
 

This morning I am still feeling the same way.  Do I need to start taking the Citrate version again and wean myself off of it?  I have been taking the citrate version for well over 2 years now.  I hate doing that because I know it will flare my bladder but I feel so sick. 
 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 
 

HopeFloats

 

 

[Altostrata]

Hello, @HopeFloats There is no withdrawal with magnesium. 

 

If magnesium glycinate make you too sleepy, you may wish to take less of it.

 

You were wise to go off magnesium citrate if you thought it was causing irritation. Good to hear your bladder is feeling better since you stopped mag citrate.