We’ve talked about magnesium for migraine a lot here, and we’re not going to stop because it’s something that actually helps a lot of people.
There have been quite the conversations going on here at Headache and Migraine News about magnesium, and I’m going to highlight one comment in a moment. But first, let me just point out that we’re not the only ones talking about this.
For example, in the journal American Family Physician, a peer reviewed journal from the American Academy of Family Physicians, an article was published this past July on the Therapeutic uses of magnesium. The summary stated (emphasis mine):
Magnesium is an essential mineral for optimal metabolic function. Research has shown that the mineral content of magnesium in food sources is declining, and that magnesium depletion has been detected in persons with some chronic diseases. This has led to an increased awareness of proper magnesium intake and its potential therapeutic role in a number of medical conditions. Studies have shown the effectiveness of magnesium in eclampsia and preeclampsia, arrhythmia, severe asthma, and migraine.
In The Clinical Journal of Pain, also this summer, Drs Sun-Edelstein and Mauskop wrote an article entitled Foods and supplements in the management of migraine headaches. In their list of supplements recommended for migraine, they put magnesium at the top of the list.
That means that a magnesium supplement should be one of the first things you’re considering if you have migraine. Now, check out this comment from Angie, one of our visitors from this month (paragraphs mine):
If you suffer from migraines and haven’t tried Magnesium PLEASE TRY IT!! I have had migraines since I was 6 years old. I am now 39. I have been on countless anti-depressants and anti-seizure type meds as preventatives…some worked – some did not, but all had some major side effects. If you’ve taken them, you know what I mean.5 months ago, I started developing "stroke-like" right sided hemiplegia with my migraines and then subsequently "seizure-type" episodes. They were not strokes, as confirmed by an MRI and they were not seizures per se, as confirmed by an EEG….just all apart of my changing migraines. After a neurologist told me that I needed psychiatric help when I kept complaining about the side effects from the "newest" seizure med they had me on, I knew I was on my own.
A friend from work told me that her Dr had told her about a Magnesium/Riboflavin (B2) combo that seemed to be helping her, I felt like I had nothing to lose by giving it a try. IT WORKED! The Mag Oxide was not overly helpful, but the Mag Citrate made all the difference in the world.
I still get migraines, but they are functional migraines (worse around menses) – no nausea, no need to stay in a dark room, I can go to work, etc. But the hemiplegic and seizure type zone-out episodes are GONE completely. And I feel like I have my mind back – the fog that I had experienced while on Topamax and Zonisamide, etc has lifted. I CAN THINK AGAIN!!! I am going to try adding the CoQ10 and upping my Mag dose (I’m only doing 400mg) and see if that helps the menstrual headaches anymore.
I always thought vitamin "pushers" were just plain weird (sorry), but here I am telling you it’s working for me!! Good luck.
Now that’s just one experience of course, but it’s not an isolated one. Even down to the "ate" type of magnesium which I have recommended here in the past.
If you think it’s "weird" to take supplements for migraine, like Angie once thought, think again. This is a well researched, tried and true treatment.
Read more about taking magnesium for migraine here, and talk to your doctor. You can also read more about the also well researched magnesium, riboflavin, feverfew combination supplement MigreLief here. More about hemiplegic migraine here. Here’s the post with the ongoing discussion about magnesium and migraine.
References: Therapeutic uses of magnesium and Foods and supplements in the management of migraine headaches
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Is there a way to take Magnesium that wont upset my stomach?
I have IBS and FMS too, so could use it, but I get awful belly ache and upset.
Thanks.
I have only started taking magnesium supplement last week. The thing that I noticed, as of this writing, is that I do have the migraine attack, but I am functional, and that is a good thing.
Try a different kind of magnesium, pen. You might be surprised at the difference.
Aurora, it does take time. Like most things for migraine, it’s wise to try for at least 3 months, using a migraine diary, to see what happens. I hope the improvement continues!
what kinds are there please. they are all really hard to swallow as well. i have a swallowing problem with the fibro.
any suggest a gut friendly smaller pill please….but…I am in the UK
Like hell I’ll monitor this mg supplement thing, especially when I got scared 3 weeks ago when the right side of my face sagged that my eyecap was nearly closed.
Pen, I am taking the chewable magnesium tablets in sort of fruity flavor. I just let it melt in my mouth like candy.
You can also get magnesium in powder form that dissolves in a drink, such as this Calm Organic Orange
, or liquid magnesium such as this Ionic Magnesium
. Just make sure you don’t get something with calcium in it too, by mistake.
I am still on Magnesium, James. I still have severe attacks but also mild ones and less vomitting. I am able to walk my dog even while having an attack…I also found this Mg citrate in liquid form. It is what I am taking now.
http://salusuk.com/products/magnesium_liq.html
Last month, I had 15 days of migraine as against my average of 18. I am not satisfied, but I am at least happy to have more headache-free days.