A co-worker stopped me today, to thank me for some advice I gave her about a year ago. The advice? Take magnesium to prevent migraines.
I'll say it again-- take magnesium to prevent migraines.
I learned this important lesson two years ago, when my migraines were so bad that they finally hospitalized me for them. And they still couldn't make the pain go away....
After spending untold thousands of dollars on the regular medical establishment, I decided to go to a Naturopath. After talking with him for 10 minutes, he diagnosed me with magnesium deficiency. He said that 90% of the intractable migraine sufferers he sees in his office are magnesium deficient (as are most Americans). He gave me a magnesium shot right then in the office, and within a half hour, my migraine went away. Yes, went away.
I've been on magnesium supplements ever since. I prefer magnesium glycinate (easiest absorbed), or magnesium citrate. You take it to tolerance, meaning you take it, a lot of it, throughout the day until you have loose stools (that's the side effect of too much magnesium). Then, back off a pill or two. If you're having trouble absorbing any magnesium at all, be sure to take B6 and zinc (a multi-vitamin has sufficient zinc, but I would suggest taking additional B).
It takes a few months for the magnesium levels to build back up in your system, but you will feel better and better. I've had numerous co-workers thank me for letting them in on this "secret"-- they are also headache free now. It also helps with tight shoulder muscles and regular headaches.
Here's to migraine-free days and nights. Thank you, magnesium!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
12 comments:
You told me this awhile back and I keep forgetting to buy some. Thanks for the reminder.. I get headaches (not always full blown migraines) all the time. It couldn't be the sleep deprivation and young children in my face all day, could it?
Thank you so much for this tip. I have horrible headaches that seem to radiate from the tightness in my shoulder and neck muscles. I will have to see if this will help.
I take magnesium citrate, too. Unfortunately, a few years back, Dr. had already put me on something which, as I understand it, you can't quit taking or you could stroke. But I was having horrendous migraines at the time, so was desperate. Was also driving blood pressure up (the pain).
So ~ opt for natural remedies whenever possible. I am going to find out, hopefully this month, if I can get off of the med I'm on -- and just stay w/natural remedies. (Hate meds!!!)
Oh my goodness! That's really good to know. I can probably count on one hand how many actual headaches I've had. And I've never had a migraine. However, I worked for a doctor and saw some patients with migraines and you can just tell they're in so much pain! My mom gets frequent ha's. I'm going to tell her your "secret"!
Hey,how are you doing? Hope all is well.
Wow, I've never heard that one before.
My mum really suffers with migrains so will defo pass that one on
I normally dismiss all the alternative medicine stuff as unproven quackery, but if it works for you, that's good. Fortunately the only headaches I get are self-inflicted via my mouth!
A close friend used to get endless migraines until (for entirely unrelated reasons) she had a hysterectomy. I don't think I'd recommend that as a normal treatment!
Wow, I never knew that! I have suffered through migraines for years. They always start off as headaches and if I don't take something immediately, I'm doomed.
Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look into it!
hi, thanks for stopping by my place. i thought i'd stop by. i am also a migraine sufferer whose doc has recommended magnesium supplements. in addition to magnesium he also told me i should use riboflavin (B1) in combination with the magnesium to help control the migraines.
Thanks for the info-I'm def talking to my doctor about this! :)
Wow! I'm willing to try anything at this point! Thanks!!
I found this post from a comment you left at someone else's blog. I've been plagued by horrible migraines since my 20's (so, 15 years), had MRI's, cut out chocolate etc. I remember reading somewhere about taking magnesium but thought it was a crock. I'm definitely running over to GNC or Riteaid to get me some now. There is no time for migraines when I have a 15 month old to care for...and when I do get them it makes it so hard to care for her and play with her the way she deserves. And I get them at least once a week, usually two times. It bothers me so much that she has to have a mommy that is not feeling well enough to play like I normally do...on a regular basis. My migraines start with tight achy shoulder and neck muscles...so it sounds like magnesium just might help me...if it does there will be kiss marks all over my monitor when I come back to your blog. :)
Post a Comment