... starting it I have noticed a massive reduction in bipolar symptoms, mainly anxiety and major depression. I am cautiously optimistic that I may have stumbled across something that actually works? Has anybody else experienced anything like this?
TIA!
I have Bipolar Disorder and recently started taking magnesium supplement for unrelated issues. Since
Question posted by Aardvarkhead on 3 Aug 2016
Last updated on 23 July 2018 by ruth7155
4 Answers
ruth7155
23 July 2018
Hi! I have been taking 500mg of magnesium at bedtime for migraines for about three years. I don't have the serious panic attacks but still have a little anxiety at times. I don't think it's helped with any other of my bipolar symptoms. I can't take anymore than 500mg because it makes my heart problems worse.
Buck2504
TKMarsh711
22 July 2018
How much magnesium are you taking in a day?
jotopia34
22 July 2018
Yes yea yes. I too added magnesium after reading a article that literally described the remaining bipolar symptoms . On lamictal and trileptal I have zero serious depression or mania. I did however still have severe irritation, aggravation , anxiety muscle cramping and migraine. I started with a liquid magnesium with trace minerals and my daily anxiety is about a 1-2. A stressful event would wratchet that up but I feel like the magnesium is a lifesaver for my career and being able to socialize. Migraine reduction 70%. I still get a few hormone related migraines. If I take too much I poop but that's not always bad bc I used to have serious constipation.its also helped my water balance no longer walking around like a bloated whale with swollen ankles and inappropriate ssweating. I take extra after acute stress and it gives me back the ability to relax once the stressors is gone. Its usually very hard for me to change states, as wakefulness to sleepiness, active to resting but this is such a bridge I can barely believe it.
WildcatVet
3 Aug 2016
Hi, Aardvark! Medications and supplements work differently for different people, I guess. I take lithium, Buspar, and Vraylar for severe Bipolar disorder and recently began taking magnesium and calcium for leg and foot cramps. Unfortunately, my Bipolar symptoms became so bad I had to be hospitalized briefly.
I don't associate it with the magnesium but the magnesium certainly hasn't helped. :-(
I'm glad you're feeling better and I hope it continues!!
Aardvarkhead
3 Aug 2016
Hi Wildcat!
Oh golly! Sorry you've been so unwell
WildcatVet
3 Aug 2016
But at least I no longer have leg cramps! :-)))
Aardvarkhead
3 Aug 2016
Lol! There's always a silver lining
Neededsomthing
25 Aug 2016
Wild cat I have read some suggestions that calcium is not great strips protiens and might block meds absortion ( read the tums label) . You could try to get mag on own. Did you talk to your doctor?? About starting the supplements?
WildcatVet
25 Aug 2016
My doctor prescribed them as the cramps were so bad at night that I was losing sleep. I never take ANYTHING without talking to my (trusted) doctor first. :-)
Aardvarkhead
25 Aug 2016
I'm STILL going strong! Most difference I'm seeing is in my sleep quality and very little insomnia these days, hooray!!
WildcatVet
25 Aug 2016
Interestingly, I just read a journal article about the use of magnesium in major depressive disorders. Maybe you did discover something.
So glad to hear you're doing well!!
Neededsomthing
25 Aug 2016
Good to hear you have a doc you trust it is just the timing of calcium supplements and medication is tricky, I have gerd( reflux/heartburn ) and restless less leg syndrome as well as take effexor rx so juggling when to take what is a topic of interst. Like when I had to go off my stomack meds for pregnacy I had to take some safer otc meds foe reflux but also an anti morning sickness drug but not together ended up taking zantact 1hour before diclectine but both close to supper then I could take tums in night if needed to sleep... Because zantact & tums which is calcium have to be seperated frim med
Hopefrog23
26 Aug 2016
Does the calcium in the magnesium supplement upset your stomach? I took a mag supplement the other night and felt like it upset my tummy. Maybe better to take it with a meal. Also this supplement has lemon and raspberry in it so that could have caused the heartburn
Thanks!
Aardvarkhead
27 Aug 2016
Magnesium can cause watery poo. The pure form is better apparently.
lilcam3
13 April 2018
Hi Wildcatvet! I have been researching supplements and alternative medicine for the treatment to take myself. I am not a doctor... but after researching I did read there are some supplements that can counter act with your medications so you have to be careful. I have been taking a few supplements for the past four days. At first I felt odd but better.. today though I feel very good. The first day I took them I could tell a difference though. I am convinced that I have a nutritional deficiency and that a lot of my struggles have to do with the way my body and brain react to foods or a lack of them.. I am seeking this as treatment. Valerian root for example is a herb I drink as a tea and has the same effects as lithium BUT if you take it with Lithium or other anxiety meds, I know it can counter act. I also found Valerian root (In the form of tea, not a supplement) to be very effective for me. I was prescribed anti ceazer med at one point and was having pulsations in my leg...
it helped with my anxiety but I found this tea to be just as effective and calming as the med. Ashwagandha tea too I found to be effective but I believe these can counter act with your meds. You have to look into it.
WildcatVet
13 April 2018
You can also use the Interaction Checker and Drug Information pages on this site to research prescription and common herbals (such as St. John's Wort and Valerian root).
I don't use the herbals because of serious to severe interactions with prescription drugs and the potential for unexpected side effects. Besides, I don't believe in their efficacy.
Related topics
depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, supplement, disorder, symptom, major depression disorder, magnesium
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