Does anyone use or recommend magnesium supplements - specifically for aiding stress and anxiety?
Have been reading up on it and come across many supplements, varying varieties including magnesium butter (not intended for consumption but use as a cream).
There are so many different brands/company's producing vitamins and supplements - its a little hard to choose which to try - and to be fair some are not particularly cheap.
It appears that the main 3 magnesium types to include in a supplement is:
Citrate - easy to absorb and good for raising levels and almost a laxative.
Malate - easily absorbed good for chronic fatigue
Glycinate - used for calming to treat anxiety, depression and insomnia
Does anyone use/can recommend if this makes a difference to their anxiety?
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smeackles
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I started taking it a couple of weeks ago and have just started noticing an improvement in my sleep (less night terrors and less waking up). I certainly feel more motivated as well which has meant I'm more busy and spend less time thinking and therefore spend less of the day anxious as I'm preoccupied. I don't think I'm less anxious overall though, still have a lot of intrusive thoughts and worries but it's early days.
Maybe another week or two and you’ll feel a little calmer? Suggestions it can take several weeks to kick in. Am specifically looking for relief from anxiety and magnesium keeps coming up as a good aid.
Thank you for replying and sharing you experience. X
I've been taking Magnesium Glycinate 500mg, 1 a day with main meal for nine months.
I buy from Ebay, £6.99 and will upload back of packet to show ingredients. Important to ensure 100mg elementary magnesium.
I have had a marked improvement with energy, symptoms and pain levels along with taking Syno-vital, Hyloronic acid 5ml daily, I have been able to reduce and come off Hydroxychloroquine 200mg x2 daily, and Gabapentin 300mg x3 daily.
This wasn't easy to do as been taking Gabapentin for 10 years! and literally just stopped completely as slow titration required- increments of 100mg.
I feel so much better in myself and go to Gym, and Aquafit weekly! Exercise gives you more Energy.
In answer to Magnesium cream, I use Festher & Down Magnesium Soothing Sleep butter which I rub onto my feet st night. I get from Boots on offer 3for2.
Lastly, I use 'Better You' Magnesium Sensitive spray on joints, muscles etc. I spray 'Better You' B12 daily oral spray in side my mouth. I buy from Ebay but you can also get in Home Bargains, Boots.
I still have tired days but pain levels have lowered considerably.
My mindset has changed as I 'Live in the Moment' and do not over-think or concern myself with things anymore. This has taken a lifetime to achieve.
Instead you begin to enjoy being with yourself, in nature, and in solitude. Find Happiness in the Little Things 🦋
Sending you Healing Vibes on your journey of self-care, kindness and Calmness 🫂
Hi Energy 14 and great to see your journey of discovery. I have recently started taking magnesium glycenate for aiding my sleep. I am worried if this will become addictive and will I be able to sleep well without it. What are your thoughts?
Firstly, may I say that you should also be advised by your GP.
My GP specialises in Fibromyalgia, M.E, Sjogren's, Mixed connective tissue dis-order which I have. I am very fortunate.
Secondly, in my experience more likely to become addictive to Gabapentin, and prescribed drugs. Magnesium is naturally within the body to help it function. I had blood tests done May 2022, had Magnesium deficiency which causes so many symptoms.
Wow - thats so informative and hugely helpful. Sounds like you have really got a handle on all the things that help. And shall look into these - nice to see supplies from normal outlets are good, online they are much more expensive and i suspect the ingredients are pretty much the same.
Ultimately I was looking for the key factor or helping reduce stress and anxiety - which Glycinate was highlighted as an aid for this.
Hello Energy 14, I am amazed to read your post, that you have come off Hydroxychloroquine! Many congratulations! This has been a real obstacle for me as I feel it has given me many side effects despite good control of lupus, not to mention the possible danger to my eyes. My doctor says it will be the last thing that will come off...meaning I will be taking it for as long as I have lupus...which seems life time. While I have a positive attitude, I'm also somewhat realistic about my reality. You are incredibly lucky that your GP has extra keen interest in Sjogrens and Fibromyalgia. My gps here in London act as referral service and shows very little interest in my condition. I am guessing you are taking all the supplements advised by your GP and have come to be free of medication. I have tried a few naturopaths but none have been very effective. Just very costly in the end. For sleep aid, I have been taking Cytonite magnesium by Cytoplan. It has definitely helped but not completely as I get to sleep for four hours then I have to take L theanine to help with a few more hours sleep. I will try your suggestion. How do you know how much daily dosage of magnesium you are taking if you take the pill form and also use butter form? And thanks for sharing the brand Better You. I have never come across this one and spray option sounds very good. Best wishes to you. X
Due to knee injury bloods revealed deficiency in Magnesium. Therefore, I had a baseline to work with. I discussed at length with Rheumatologist, decision to 'taper' off Hydroxychloroquine and with guidance did so.
You will see in picture that I began taking syno-vital firstly, [Hyloronic acid] which is so beneficial for your joints, cartilage, tissues, eyes, hair, etc. Actually my eyes have improved, less dry and feel more soothed. I add sachet 5ml into my coconut water each morning.
Magnesium is naturally occurring in our body and enables Proper Function of nerves and muscles. I am testimont to this. Optimal levels of Magnesium have a beneficial impact on many of the body's functions including sleep.
I use a small amount of Feather & Down Magnesium butter on my soles of feet at night, also knees, elbows and chest. Slowing massage until absorbed. I take Magnesium glycinate 500mg [100mg] elementary magnesium with breakfast. I feel so much better.
Please bear in mind, this is not an overnight thing...for me I wanted to take back control fully of my body.
Therefore, I requested my digital medical records, to closely analyse and look into areas I would not have noticed before. This opened up windows which I then gathered further insight to symptoms, side effects and really was not aware of!
As you know, when you are going through the regime of pain, sometimes you are not entirely certain where it is coming from. I decided to go through with my GP, who studied my condions at university, 1 by 1 (took several years) He wrote to my Rheumatologist who was being challenged, (new Consultant) old one retired last year. It was coming from my GP who was the first person to diagnose a patient with M.E.
I now only have Symbicort for asthma, no longer require blue inhaler. No longer need Prednisolone 5mg.
My brain is more alert, and less forgetful
My hair feels wonderful, less brittle and softer. More important, growing back.
My nails are stronger, so do not break.
I have less headaches now, so only take a few paracetamol (normal ones).
I do have tired days, but adjust, listen to my body and pace. My body feels relieved if you can understand because it is now having what it needs to function. 🦋
I wish you well on your journey, please take time with yourself 🫂🪷🧡
Natural Magnedium capsules, Syno-Vital (Hyloronic acid) Better You
Dear Energy14, Thank you so very much for sharing your experience and daily regime with me in such detail and taking the photo for me too!! I am very grateful. If I saw you in person, I would give you a big hug of gratitude!! I completely understand your determination as I managed to taper down and stop prednisolone which my then rheumy wanted me to stay on for the rest of my life...the same with statin, omaprazole and the list goes on. The day I discontinued gave me such a sense of achievement as it took me over four years. But I am yet to conquer sleep disorder caused by steroids. I now take one 200mg. Hydroxy a day and a weekly Belimumab (biologics). I left that doctor (he a leading specialist in lupus globally) immediately and moved to the current dept. Many doctors seem to be ok to keep people on 5 mg. for a life time. I am similarly determined as you but far less organised and smart about how I approach my condition/treatment. To go through your entire medical records and study with objective mind is something I am incapable of. Perhaps you are medically trained...which I am not at all. I don't even know how to read blood test well. However, I shall follow your regime and see how I go. I will place orders this weekend. I have been taking magnesium for some years now along with Vitamine B complex and etc. I take Hyaluronic acid by Victoria Health (Dose line) but I think taking it in liquid form sounds appealing. I need all the help I can get with Sjogrens and osteoarthritis.
You mentioned that lacking magnesium brought you and your doctor to decrease and discontinue Hydroxychloroquine eventually. Does Hydroxy deplete magnesium? I take hydroxy after the evening meal as it makes me dizzy then I take powder form Cytonight magnesium a few hours later for the bed time. So clearly I have been doing this totally wrong. I looked it up and it doesn't seem conclusive. My present rheumy doesn't deal with supplement aspect...as a matter of fact, I remember with some bitterness that the very first doctor who prescribed me daily 10mg. prednisolone a long term didn't prescribe or even mentioned the need of calcium supplement. I only started taking calcium a year later when another doctor looked at my medication list. All in the past. But now I am determined to discontinue hydroxy so will bring this up again. Fingers crossed! Thank you so much once again and I will be patient and will work towards a free medication life!! All best wishes to you!
In answer to your question, yes Magnesium does deplete Hydroxychloroquine and important to take 4 hours apart.
Also, yes my background is Medical Secretary however I am not a Doctor therefore had guidance fortunately.
My Asthma nurse said to me that it is better to take my inhaler than to take Prednisolone. Steroids do far more damage to body than an inhaler.
With reference to digital medical records, I looked into last 2 years as my knee injury was the catalyst for further insight. Please do not attempt to tackle a lifetime of medical records. Chunk sizes, especially with the setbacks of brain fog.
It was my preference to stop Hydroxychloroquine mainly due to side effects of hair bleaching and falling out. After further findings, the Magnesium deficiency was closely related to Fibromyalgia. Of which, I came across a study which confirmed this. I discussed with my GP who re-affirmed this as fact.
Interestingly, Magnesium blood tests are not done routinely. Mine was done, due to Right knee quadricep tendon rupture
You will come across your individual circumstances and be awaken by it.
You say Magnesium depletes Hydroxychloroquine - so should it not be taken along side Hydroxy without a consultants thumbs up, when you are still waiting for Hydroxy to start working (within 3 months of starting)?
I can not answer for your daughter's personal situation as all meds take several months to kick in. It is always best to discuss with Specialist treating like I did who were in full support of my intentions.
With my understanding Hydroxychloroquine can be taken alongside Magnesium but with 4 hours between taking.
I have a very supportive Primary y Care GP and husband, who both have my back always. I have prescribed Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil and Omega 3 - liquid form. 2x 5ml daily.
I buy Holland & Barret Evening Primrose oil capsules 1000mg with Vitamin B6 to help regulate hormonal activity.
I grow and use Natural Aloe vera plant and rub the gel on knees, ankles, legs daily am/pm. After exercise if need be.
I am going through Menopause, and GP prescribes Oestrogel, wonderful!😇
I was discharged from Rheumatology March 2024. I feel Blessed 🙌 🥰 Thankful
I drink Natural original aloe vera juice with pulp, coconut water, vitamin water from Lidl. You will notice, I take and use only what my body requires. This has taken discipline, determination and endurance.
I still do have my Fibromyalgia, M.E etc but this is not who I am. I am Free Spiritually.
Amazing to have gotten to a point where you have been discharged from Rheumatology - I thought once on their "books" always on their books with lupus. But with the right management and finding what your body needs and responds to, it is possible. Light at end of a very long tunnel there! Thank you again
May I ask whether you have Lupus or your daughter? I saw a post that you replied to.....
This Forum is great for sharing and support as our symptoms over-lap. What may work for someone, may not work for another. We are all different in how our bodies respond.
For me, and my fellow Lupus Warriors 🦋 know and full understand that no two days are the same. Learning to love and Accept who you are NOW takes years and years to FULLY be at peace with.
This is why I asked, whether these questions are for you or your daughter....
With Lupus or Mixed Connective Tissue Dis-order or anything on this spectrum UCTD etc. Individuals respond differently to prescribed drugs, some symptoms reduce, (Flare up) and side effects.
For me, Hydroxychloroquine worked magic when I began, however after 4 years, made my hair bleach, fall out along with other things.
I was taking Gabapentin for 10 years, and I decided in November 2022, to reduce with guidance of GP as this was causing me Respiratory depression.
I have asthma, since I began coming off Gabapentin...I have not been prescribed Prednisolone 5mg since November 2023. I am under a Respiratory Consultant and seen yearly.
In my experience there is a reaction to each drug, that then requires another drug and so on.
Diagnosis with Specialist Rheumatologist, Oct 2020, MCTD
Fibromyalgia diagnosis Jan 2014, Pain Specialist and GP diagnosis M.E. cfs Sept 2006.
It is my daughter who at 24 has just been diagnosed - I'm her main support and trying my best to get as much knowledge on this as i can to help her, as (we all know) its a life long thing to manage, which is hard at any age or stage in life - but felt cruel to me when she has literally just got her first foot on the ladder of the career shes been working towards since leaving Uni 2 years ago. Its a mix of her juggling this and having so little time to rest and get head round it all - feeling utterly overwhelmed, so I'm trying to help by finding out as much as much as possible.
They started her on 3 weeks (repeatedly) of steriods alongside Hydroxychloroquine in June, when steriods finished it all kicks in again - as Hydroxy hasn't started working yet. So steriods on repeat and every 4th week symptoms get worse and back on steriods. Did start on Azathioprine but stopped quickly as labs from london hadn't come back that they wanted to see (still not back now and more bloods taken).
Just hoping Hydroxy will start to work soon as staying on steriods is why I've been investigating Magnesium and any way to help. They have put her on Sertraline to try to combat the amplified depression/anxiety the steriods giving. Absolutely aware that each and every one of use react differently and no one thing is the answer - but so helpful to hear other peoples experiences - like yours - on what works for you. Any one thing that may help my daughter cope is knowledge I am grateful for - just hoping it finally gets under control some time soon so she can try to make the most of this opportunity for a future. 😘
I did think it was your daughter, I am a mother myself and fully appreciate the need to support and find solutions.
However, it is also important for your daughter, who sounds incredible by the way to seek guidance for herself in the sense of acknowledgement and accountability (this may sound hard to hear) as it is your daughter who is going through these symptoms although you are her main Support which I FULLY understand.
My daughter who is now 32 years old, could not speak when born and at aged 4 years had intensive Speech Therapy. I fought throughout her school years to challenge the curriculum to work to her benefit. She went onto college and Uni with adjustments and support. Now has a family of her own. I am very Proud.
I would suggest the Spoon Theory, (google it) it as this will assist with pacing and for your daughter to manage and articulate her feelings.
There are also Support Groups which your daughter can attend such as Chronic Pain Management, via NHS or local run council groups.
There is a wealth of help and support now in these times for Lupus, MCTD, UCTD, Fibromyalgia etc compared to 20 years ago. Your daughter is fortunate for this, that she is not Alone which many of us here were due to nobody knowing what it was!
Your daughter is also fortunate to be diagnosed early on, as so many have waited literally years with no official diagnosis.
I challenged DWP, as I had to Prove Fibromyalgia was a condition. Can you imagine your daughter going through this and having to prove it is Real.
I remember when first diagnosed with M.E. cfs 2006, I had no idea what was happening to me until I saw a leaflet at GP surgery. I lady, aged 71 called Silvia organised group. I will never forget when she rang me to reassure and advise. Silva had fought all her life and never had a diagnosis but continued to campaign for M.E. cfs.
Please take things gradually as the more you know, the more complex it becomes. It is a Mindfield especially very early on in diagnosis, regardless of age.
To remain Positive despite all uncertainty will grow Resillence and Patience with the setbacks will keep your daughter's mindset Strong.
I wish your daughter a steady, stable and proper recovery with feelings of well-being 🦋🫂🪷
Thank you - I hope for nothing more than that too.
I do appreciate your experiences and advice from many years of managing your own health and your daughters difficulties in early life. Great to hear of her achievements and finding her way in life to her own family too. Absolutely wonderful and persistence with determination, step by step, one day at a time have paid off for you both.
I will continue to do all I can to find out and educate myself (and help) my daughter as much as I can. We are joint members of Lupus UK and she knows of the various websites and support groups. At this point in time - lucky as you say in her early diagnosis, I'm aware many people go years fighting for it - the reason I am taking a more proactive role in helping and educating us is simply because she started this new career 2 days after diagnosis and it isn't a 9-5 kind of role. It is long hours and travel and locations that aren't always plentiful in mobile/internet signals. Its also a role that she needs to not be seen to be a hinderance - and whilst they are supportive of her health, she is trying to not let the many symptoms impact her input and contributions daily. To move on to the next role/progress she wants and needs to gain a good reputation. I am immensely proud that she is still going for her dream and no matter how overwhelmed she becomes at times and how much pain or illness she is in, she does not want to give up or lose this - because there is nothing else she would like to do. It is a double knifed sword as equally it has added to her stress levels (irrelevant of Lupus).
So initially and whilst she is trying to navigate this new way of life with Lupus and all the changes it has brought her, a new job (and imminently having to move accommodation) on her own, if I can use my available time to find out information, pass on recommendations and point her in any direction that may help - then that's what I'll do for sure.
It is very scary - and I don't have it, I would do anything to take it from her - and even just months in the complexity of it is so apparent. Presently one day at a time and if its a good day we take that as a win, if its a bad day we try and draw a line and hope for tomorrow.
Thank you for all your advice - it is gratefully received I can assure you.
Morning Flipper12345yellowThank you for your input. I do hope you are okay now.
I had a Laproscopic sub-total hysterectomy June 2018. I had my womb removed due to suffering with fibroids for 20 years....kept my fallopian tubes, cervix.
Finally, I now have been using Muscle & Sports Gel which is naturally sourced from modern herbals.com where I also buy Syno-vital. This is Incredible and is in a cream formula, A little goes a long way. To be fair, is replacing Volterol gel.😇
Be Active Muscle & Sports Gel - used to be called Sore no More
* Following!I've not really noticed if Magnesium has made much improvement or how much it has helped. Difficult to gauge among other factors.
I've been taking Magnesium for sleep and alongside trying to withdraw from Sertraline. I was on 150-200mg Sertraline for about 9 months. I'm now on 25mg Sertraline. I tried this several weeks ago to reduce to 25mg but went back to 50mg after a few days. I've made various other lifestyle changes (including a new job) which have helped hugely. I would say my sleep and mood has improved more in line with reducing/withdrawal from Sertraline more than Magnesium.
I guess it is hard to notice definitive signs of improvement depending on what else is going on. Sertraline is something my daughter used to take (pre Lupus) came off it a few years ago and this week due to staying on steriods which have sent anxiety through the roof has been told she should go back on it to manage that side effect. Not loving the idea of back on that for her but if it helps her cope. It is massively noticeable the increased anxiety and depression when on steriods, when off them the varying symptoms kick back in but her anxiety is reduced, a lose lose situation at times.
She has recently started a new job (her first in the area she worked for at uni) and it is frustratingly a bit full on in hours, travel and physicality. So not really easy to change that at this point. Timing - lupus chose to kick in at a very inconvenient point in life, not that there is ever a preferable time!
glad to hear the lifestyle changes you have made are making the difference for you. Thanks for your reply and experiences.
All I can say from my experience is exercise and finding time for yourself if only for a short time are far more beneficial than any drug. The hardest thing is identifying bad habits. I had to redefine what is the definition of a bad habits. They key is solve one problem at a time and don't expe t change to happen overnight. I'm still in the stage of establishing good habits in order to stop the bad ones. So, for example, I have routine now that means I go to the gym 3 or 4 times a week before work. Meanwhile I'm reducing the Sertraline. This works because I get my adrenaline in the morning.My sleep and coffee intake is a problem, but it can wait until I'm completely off the Sertraline. Once I do I will limit my coffee to mornings only. E g stop going to Costa at lunchtime.
Hi SmeacklesI use Magnesium Complex 2000mg, one per day, it's relatively cheap from Amazon for 120 tablets.
I use it because I was getting awful restless legs every night which stopped when taking Magnesium. I can't say whether it would help with anxiety but certainly worth a try.
Hello - I take a dual source of magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide for easier digestion - and this is the one I take from a good company that batch tests all the products they sell, as it's primarily for sportsmen and women.. not that I am! Ho ho. Hardly.. healthspanelite.co.uk/elite...
I take it for chilling me out, and bones and everything else it does..
I do use the triple magnesium and I do feel better with it. I need the laxative effect of the citrate and I also have chronic fat and sleep much better.
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