Have been having some extreme symptoms in the last couple of days.
Not only extreme mood swings (from almost suicidal at 6pm today, to 100% 'normal' and feeling good at 7pm), but also feeling absolutely terrible (weak, headache-y, shaky, almost like I'd been poisoned). I feel better in the evening immediately after eating, but have zero appetite until that point
Now, for the last 3 nights I've had terrible leg cramps (I used to get them but hadn't had them for a long time).
My magnesium serum level looks OK, and I'd been taking 200mg magnesium daily, but hadn't for a few days.
I know these could be B12 deficiency symptoms, but just wondering if they sound like magnesium deficiency symptoms (or something else)?
I was wondering if my gut isn't one of the big drivers of this. I do have an inflamed duodenum, and had been taking omeprazole (on consultant's prescription) but had stopped it as it seemed to be adding to my anxiety symptoms!
Finally, probably a really niche thing, but my last full blood test (from Lola, who I'd never used before) showed that I had very low progesterone (I didn't realise men had it, but I now do that they do). Normal range was 0.7 to 5, and mine was 0.1!
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Laverdista
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It might be a good idea to get your low level of progesterone investigated by your Dr. This alone can cause depression, anxiety, libido, trouble concentrating and mood swings.
I would take a good multi vitamin which include all vits and minerals especially - Vit B, D, K with minerals of Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Phosphorous.
It sounds as if your blood sugar could also be dropping........ This may happen if you delay or miss a meal or snack, don't eat enough carbohydrate, or exercise more than usual. People with diabetes who've drunk too much alcohol, or drank alcohol on an empty stomach, can also get hypoglycaemia.
I am not medically trained but feel your Gp needs to carry out more blood work to get to the root of what is going on,
I am also wondering about your sodium level....... These symptoms can include: nausea and/or vomiting, headache, muscle weakness, spasms (twitching), or cramps, low blood pressure, dizziness when standing up, low energy or fatigue, Loss of appetite, restlessness or bad temper.
Please doget the low progesterone investigated. A bag of salted crisps or such like would help with sodium but I would request bloods taken to see whats taking place.
If you cant face food you could try vitamin drinks.
Thank you so much. I actually had a blood test last week and it appears sodium is fine. Magnesium was OK, but apparently serum magnesium is a less useful indicator than rbc magnesium?
It's reassuring to hear your bloods were in range especially your sodium . Maybe your Gp could request a urine Magnesium test to rule out RBC lacking in your red blood cells. I take Centrum Advanced ( how good it is I cant really comment ).
It would be wise to address your Low Progesterone level. Being a female, in my younger years I suffered dreadful hormone issues. It would seriously affect my mood, in fact my husband would lie low whilst I acted like a rotweiler. I was prescribed progesterone and i'm pleased to say my moods settled down.
Low magnesium tends to make you jittery and jumpy and scared, rather than what you describe.
Low potassium tends to make you feel bleak and impossibly tired, with cramps, especially in your hands if its bad, which "claw" - get pulled into a funny shape.
Low folate (B9) tends to make you feel down/sad and otherwise similar to B12d
Low Vit D is similar to B12d, but you can't sleep
Low iron tends to make you feel like there's little point in anything and you get short of breath
All the vitamins and minerals are interlinked and required for everything to work properly and deficiencies broadly have similar symptoms. It's best to get them from food as much as possible and supplement, where necessary, very carefully.
I must go to work now, but there is more information in my past posts, and especially replies. I hope you get it sorted ASAP.
Thanks for the clear info. By far one of my biggest issues is the total loss of appetite, which obviously massively affects my ability to naturally get enough nutrients. I've been prescribed Fortisip by the hospital nutritionist but it's only 300 calories (although it does have added vitamins and minerals). I feel that if could just cure my loss of appetite I'd be in a much better place.
after adding magnesium into my protocol a week ago, my symptoms have improved a lot. I’m still not great, but the ‘I feel like I’m dying’ feeling has just about gone. On the negative side I think the magnesium glycinate may be keeping me awake (supposed to make you sleepy) as I am having problems getting to sleep. Last night 4am! And also getting upset bowel in the mornings. More ups and downs to deal with! They are not kidding when they say it’s trial and error with all these things. 😵💫
I had that with magnesium glycinate. In my case it was actually making me more anxious and jittery. It seems there's a percentage of people for whom magnesium glycinate acts paradoxically. Just about to try magnesium L-threonate, but apparently that can also cause jitters. I really want to up my magnesium but can't afford to get any more anxious!
I’m trying a foot soak. Epsom salts in a bowl of water and soak my feet for 20 minutes. Not sure how much is absorbed, but it may help. Also trying to have magnesium rich foods too. You can get a topical cream but again not sure how much is absorbed and utilised.
Your feet have evolved to be your least permeable skin surface so you don't absorb toxins as you walk barefoot.
It's much better to dissolve the magnesium in a little water and spray or sponge it onto your softest, most protected skin on your body, under your arms and the insides of your legs, where the skin is much more permeable.
I use a magnesium gel on my legs at night and if I feel the need then in the day too. It puts me to sleep. I can't take it as a pill form or I have bad upset stomach problems I learned.
That’s a great tip to know there are non pill forms. I’ve been leery of taking it orally as I’ve heard of others saying it upsets their GI and I don’t need more of that. Now I have another choice than just epsom salt baths—thanks!
jillymo sounds spot on. I have hypoglycemia and it will come on suddenly! I will feel feverish shaken nausiated, headache, just like I have the flue. I end up getting it when I eat a lot of carbs, drink alcohol the day before then don't eat the next day.
Also the progesterone.m and b12
So it sounds like you have several things going on.
Reduce carb intake as best you can. Magnesium will cause cramps when lying still , as in wake up in the morning, stretch and get a Charlie horse. Low Potassium causes cramps when active.
thanks for that. My problem is that I've had no appetite for 3 months. Have lost 15kg so far and it's not getting better. My carb intake is very low for that reason. Interestingly, the two days when I've felt REALLY bad in the last two weeks have been after evenings where my appetite briefly came back and I ate something with sugar in it.
I completely empathize with loss of appetite. I’ve had to quit jumping on the scale because it’s ramping up my anxiety. My clothes that are too big also trigger my worry. I’ve gone on Celexa to help with my anxiety and I do think it’s helping. I’m juicing cabbage in the morning to heal whatever is happening with my gut. I take GABA supplement at night to help sleep and it’s helped where melatonin wasn’t. Something is jiving because my neuropathy has lessened significantly after 5 weeks of SI along with other trial and errors. Needing more gut improvement but it’s better, it’s been a slow 2 months. I am staying away from ACV because I think it caused me issues in fact. I’m praying you get some relief. We’re all sharing to help each other!
Thanks! Hoping that your gut continues to improve (I've never said that to anyone before! 🤣). It's difficult when (well-meaning) people sometimes suggest healthy snacks and nutrition tips, but I struggle to even look at food. I've just been prescribed Mirtazapine for my depression and anxiety caused (IMHO) by B12D. I'm loathe to take it (I feel if I can just survive the next 2 months my anxiety should start to lessen), but that's a big if! Good luck to you, too.
Hi Laverdista—Mirtazapine was a life saver for me. I too completely lost my appetite after I was prescribed a PPI for 3 months after horrible reflux symptoms due to COVID. I think COVID wiped out my stomach acid and then the PPI really did me in. I lost 10 pounds in that time frame, which is 10% of my body weight. My GP put me on Mirtazapine to stimulate my appetite and it worked! I think it helps speed up gastric emptying. You might also benefit from taking digestive enzymes and a probiotic if you aren’t already doing so. Those also help me a lot.
Thanks. I weigh a fair bit more than you (double to be exact) but even for me, my 15kg weight loss is 15% of my total body weight, and it's not being in control of my appetite that's terrifying.
The only symptoms I know Omeprazole to have is headaches, nausea, stomach pain and flatulence. As far as I am aware, they do not cause anxiety. I think a visit to your GP is needed in order to relay any fears you have. Ask your doctor to do a full blood count so they can see if something is going on OK?🦋
Thanks. Had a blood test last week. Only weird thing that came out of that was the low progesterone, although I did find it weird that my MCV had gone back up after it had gone down 2 weeks after starting SI.
Scientist, not medic. Numbers are useful when speaking about lab results. As well as MCV, I suggest you follow MCH because that tells much the same story, but the MCH is less susceptible to other artefacts than the MCV. [I could go on, but not today.] IF you really want to know, just ask!
I take a magnesium supplement from British Supplements before bed a couple of times a week and I use a magnesium butter on the souls of my feet from Sweet Bee organics.
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