Magnesium Supplements to reduce frequency of migraines

[MollyPigs]

I have suffered with migraines for about 7 years now, where I have gone through periods of time where they occur weekly, and other periods where they reduce to monthly.

My migraines always start in the base of my neck, travelling up the left side of my head, over my head and then sitting behind my left eye. They used to cause me to be sick but I have now learnt to control this and instead, when I have a migraine, I need to close myself in a dark room, avoid sound, and apply heat to my neck/ traps, trying to sleep it off with some strong pain killers (900mg of dispersible aspirin sometimes does the trick). Usually it’s about 24 hours until I am feeling ok to continue with normal life.

I am aware of many triggers, including too much sugar, not enough water, alcohol, stress, etc, however, these things do not always cause a migraine, they simply increase the chance that I’ll have one.

Recently I came across a doctor on instagram called Dr Mark Hymen. He made a post about migraines and spoke about how he has found that migraines are correlated with a magnesium deficiency. I’ve had blood tests before and haven’t been told that I have this deficiency, but I thought maybe I could try magnesium supplements and see if this helps me (especially since I’m in a high stress environment that I cannot avoid at this moment in time - exams).

I started taking these supplements about 3 weeks ago and have felt less tension in my traps/ neck since. I also feel like I have avoided migraines as when I can feel them coming on I have taken a magnesium supplement and gotten into bed to “sleep it off”. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve still suffered from a migraine in the last 3 weeks, but that has been due to other factors rather than the tension in my body causing the migraine.

Has anyone else had any success with taking supplements, if their migraines are similar to mine? I am curious to see if I will see long term benefits if I continue to take the magnesium supplement daily.

Thanks in advance!

[shep9t]

yes i got same migraine like your one, my doctor recommend take Magnesium daily, i also take fish oil 1g, Vitamin D, Vitamin C daily, there is someone discuss on the form about how much magnesium you can take each day, make sure dont take too much that could damage liver. but in general it does seems help, also make sure good night sleep is very important which i'm suffer from poor sleep.

also not sure where you are but you could also try KAVA, they have capsule form available that will help with sleep and relex. KAVA can't take daily but does help with relex.

[MollyPigs in reply to shep9t]

Thank you for your response! I am in the Uk and haven’t heard of KAVA but will look it up. I’m glad it seems like these supplements have worked for you. I will research more into the negative side effects of magnesium and speak to my doctor about vitamin C and D too! Thank you

[troy04 in reply to MollyPigs]

KAVA is banned selling in the UK. I think it can be bought for external use ( not sure what it would do externally). UK regulators think it damages liver if consumed.

[Mary1959]

I also suffer the same kind of migranes, I can feel the pain from the back of my neck travelling up the side of my face and settling in my temple. I've tried magnesium many times, but it doesn't help me I'm afraid, but it may help others. I'm now booked in for an MRI scan at the hospital to check my vessels and inside my head and neck. Hope you soon find something to help you.

[MollyPigs in reply to Mary1959]

It sounds like your migraines are exactly the same as mine. I have had MRIs before and they have been unable to locate an issue. I would be curious to hear if they find anything that might be a cause of the migraines for you so I can suggest to my doctors that they look elsewhere. I hope we all find a solution in the near future so we don’t have to suffer anymore! Thanks for your help

[Mary1959 in reply to MollyPigs]

My mri is in may, so I will let you know the results. Take care x

[Cat00]

Been taking magnesium supplements for years for a different health condition, doesn't make any difference to my migraines sadly.

[MollyPigs in reply to Cat00]

That’s a shame. Thank you for sharing! I was told it may not be the reason for the improvement I’ve seen with my migraines but I will preserve as long as the supplements aren’t damaging in another way!

I hope you find a cure for your migraines

[Jo60]

This podcast has a wealth of information about migraines. Series 1 episode 6 discusses supplements. Hope it helps.

nationalmigrainecentre.org....

[MollyPigs in reply to Jo60]

Thank you for sharing! I will give it a listen today as I haven’t come across this before thank you

[Onthemove1971]

I also wanted to add, you could also get some migraine/ blue blocker glasses ( if you do not have an RX you could just use a lens)..As soon as I put them on, especially when using the computer they feel very comforting. As fat as the magnesium, if you go up to or close to the 1600 and you do not see a difference, try changing the type you are using. Also give it at least 3 months.

Let us know how it goes.

[MollyPigs in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thank you! I will definitely get these glasses as I work from a laptop all day most days. I will also explore magnesium more (although I heard we must be careful as it could negatively affect our liver too). Will talk to my doctor