Last year I was volunteering at the Pain Clinic I was attending at my local hospital. The clinical psych asked me to assist with going through the research on alternative methods of pain relief, as I have an academic background, including research experience. What I found was that credible research has been done which shows that BIO-AVAILABLE magnesium utilises the same neural pathways as neuropathic pain meds like Gabapentin (Neurontin)or Lyrica. I was on Neurontin and they were going to change it to Lyrica in an effort to remedy the side effects Neurontin and Endone taken together nearly killed me. As I was experiencing, along with pain relief, lots of undesirable side effects from these meds, I decided to trial magnesium myself and weaned myself off the meds.
Since coming off the meds my "brain fog" has pretty much cleared, as has stomach pain and breathing difficulties, and as long as I continue to regularly take the magnesium the muscle spasms, which tortured my back, don't occur. I also have greater energy than previously. However, if I forget to take a couple of doses, I'm soon reminded by the return of spasms in my back and also legs.
What I understand from the research I read is that one needs to take a balanced formula which also contains calcium. Magnesium citrate is another variety which I think does not fit the citeria I looked at and is used as a bowel cleanser prior to exploration of the bowel. I'm sorry, I don't have the source info on magnesium, as I've since moved interstate and my mind was too befuddled back then to even think of noting anything other than it has been shown to work. All I know is that I'm no longer on those destructive pain meds and that my life is getting back on track with my pain mostly under control.
By the way, I have 9 herniated discs in my spine, 3 at cervical, 3 at thoracic and 3 at lumbar. Cervical radiates pain down both arms and I experience carpal tunnel type probs. First few years post mva ther were many other probs which a search of my posts on WH will elaborate on (I don't want to repeat stuff I've written in the past). In the thoracic spine there is spinal cord impingement and the spine is building it's own fusion. At lumbar I have nerve root impingement on both sides of L5/S1 that has pain radiating down both legs & feet. Its not that I have NO pain, but that the pain is now manageable. Its just something that won't go away in a hurry. I don't want to live a life on pain meds and am trying to build my health, and eating lots of healthy fruit and vegetables is good for that too, as is exercise like walking (difficult for me) and swimming (can't overdo that either).
The research also showed that people suffering from chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and high blood pressure would also benefit fron bio-available magnesium. Many of my friends have gone on to magnesium also, and all have found some degree of relief from pain and spasms. I take 2 tablets a day of Blackmores Bio Magnesium, which contains: magnesium oxide 440mg; magnesium phosphate 175mg; calcium ascorbate 250mg; Vitamin B6 50mg; Vitamin D3 100iu; manganese amino acid chelate 40mg.
I have added this minearl to my diet. My Dr said it helps with inflammation. At any rate I've read a lot of us are not getting enough. It's interesting how we are not getting all we need, but our bodies do tend to compensate. I will cont to take magnesium. I appreciaate any feedback. Thanks Donna:)
Pearly
Neck and Back injuries are not good,and to me, just as much a challenge as cancer, diatbetes, other chronic conditions; we are at risk for much more. And with neck injuries, your brain is effected. With back injuries, your spine alignment is effected, thus your brain stem sends mixed messages. I read some of this tonight on the net. sorry, I'm a little wound up
Best to you all. Hugs, Pearly
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