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Magnesium intolerance

I cannot tolerate any form of magnesium tablet or capsule - gives me violent diarrhea and cramps. I do tolerate the little bit of magnesium that is in food naturally, and in my multivitamins. I've researched to the extent of my ability, asked both my doctors, and have no answers. No one even thinks it's important, it seems. I do - it's really bothering me.

Anyone else have experience with this, or any suggestions?

Sometimes I feel silly posting my little questions and problems, when I read what some members here have to live with. I haven't been there - yet.

I think you are heroes.
 

David

Co-Founder
Location
Naples, Florida
1. What forms of magnesium have you tried, what brands, and dosage?

2. Are you on any medications besides the usual Crohnie meds?

3. Never feel silly posting questions here, that's what we're here for :)

*hugs*
 
I know what you mean! To much magnesium can be an issue for me also. What I do for taking magnesium, and which doesn't upset my stomach, is to take a one liter bottle of water, mix two table spoons of Milk of Magnesium into it, shake the bottle up, and then drink from it from time to time.

I've read that even normal boweled people have the big D problem with magnesium supplements. Have read also that these harder to find magnesium supplements do not seem to cause as much of an issue for them. I haven't tried the forms of magnesium myself, but thought to mention.

"Homegrown osteoporosis prevention and reversal"

http://www.trackyourplaque.com/blog/2010/09/homegrown-osteoporosis-prevention-and-reversal.html

from the article:

3) Magnesium–I generally advise supplementation with the well-absorbed forms, magnesium glycinate (400 mg twice per day) or magnesium malate (1200 mg twice per day). Because they are well-absorbed, they are least likely to lead to diarrhea (as magnesium oxide commonly does).
 

David

Co-Founder
Location
Naples, Florida
Part of the problem is some forms of available magnesium are laxatives. Certainly not what most Crohnies need. From umm.edu:

Magnesium is available in many forms. Recommended types include magnesium citrate, magnesium gluconate, and magnesium lactate, all of which are more easily absorbed into the body than other forms. Time release preparations may improve absorption. Ask your health care provider.

Other familiar sources are magnesium hydroxide (often used as a laxative or antacid) and magnesium sulfate (generally used orally as a laxative or in multivitamins, or added to a bath). Some magnesium can be absorbed through the skin.
 
I just gave all the different bottles to a family member. Maybe I can find the notes I made to give to the doctor - who didn't even look at them. I know not to take the standard drugstore supplements, although I did try shaving a tiny bit off of a tablet each day - same effect just not as bad. Brands - I think I've tried the usual Nature Made and other inexpensive brands, as well as the specialty stores that cater to body-builders and athletes. Most recently magnesium gluconate, then magnesium orotate.

Don't laugh, but I still refer to Dr. Atkins books on nutrition and magnesium is on his list as helpful for several conditions I have - I had untreated hypertension, so now I have a slightly rapid heartbeat. I realize that tachycardia can turn me up dead, so I do take it seriously. However, I had that sonogram-type thing of my heart and it pumps just fine. no irregular heartbeat, just fast. No fluid retention, etc. I wonder if it isn't nutrition-related at least in part (age-related also).

Also, they keep suggesting it's stress, and I am not stressed, I have the physical symptoms of stress, but not the emotions that go with stress. KWIM? I have known real stress in my lifetime, this ain't it. And, I do not have "generalized anxiety disorder." Same with depression - been there - I know it when I see it.

I also have osteoporosis bad enough that my doc says I can't afford to forget my calcium tablets, and I take calcitonin salmon (nasal spray). I'm taking 10 mg of Norvasc once a day and 25 mg of metoprolol 2x daily. 9 mg of Entocort a day for close to a year now.-(This is going to change, I'm sure - I am going to take the humira or remicade if that's still what they think after my scope in November); Welchol 625 mg 6 a day - controls my D under most circumstances, occasionally loperamide. Occasioanlly Zantac, but strangely it affects me much like magnesium but to a lesser degree - makes me wonder what it really is, haha.

I think that about covers it medications and ailments. Although I had undiagnosed Crohns, I always considered myself pretty healthy, did aerobics for years, but I smoked - switched to e-cigs 2 years ago. That's nicotine in a glycerine base, vaporized by heat and inhaled.

But I have had this sensitivity to magnesium supplements for years. Way before any of this.

Heavens this is a long post. Nutrition is one of my hot buttons., though.
 
@Beach - thanks - it helps a lot to hear someone else has this annoying hypersensitivity. M of M scares me, but the idea of dissolving a tiny bit in a lot of water might be worth a try.


Just finished reading your link. Reminds me of Dr. Atkins - he was a cardiologist too. Very good info. I have been researching the acid-alkaline debate (it seems to be a debate) and I'm not sure what I think about that.

I refused the standard treatment for osteoporosis too - then they told me about the calcitonin, and I cannot for the life of me figure out why they would change. The calcitonin bone density increase is measurable - the fosamax and others do not show a measurable increase in density. I'm like What is wrong with you people??????
 
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@Beach - thanks - it helps a lot to hear someone else has this annoying hypersensitivity. M of M scares me, but the idea of dissolving a tiny bit in a lot of water might be worth a try.


Just finished reading your link. Reminds me of Dr. Atkins - he was a cardiologist too. Very good info. I have been researching the acid-alkaline debate (it seems to be a debate) and I'm not sure what I think about that.

I refused the standard treatment for osteoporosis too - then they told me about the calcitonin, and I cannot for the life of me figure out why they would change. The calcitonin bone density increase is measurable - the fosamax and others do not show a measurable increase in density. I'm like What is wrong with you people??????
Happy the information is of help! I never have had a bone density test myself, but it probably would be a good idea if I did. In addition, along with my gut woes, I discovered after having a heart CT scan that I have plaque in an artery. Lucky me! I guess there tends to be an association between osteoporosis and heart disease. So best to do what can be done to keep our bones strong.

Good luck with finding a method or form of magnesium to take. Glad Dr. Davis's sight was of help. Along with several others that I visit, Dr. Davis's is one of my favorite doctor blogs to learn from.
 
Well, count my blessings, no plaque found - yet. I have considered one of those scans where they inject dye and take pictures of your arteries, just to make sure. I make myself walk too, as much as I hate the treadmill. grrrrrrrrrrrr. I'm getting to the age where it's use it or lose it.
 
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