As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I have begun a program in holistic nutrition. I have spent the last two weeks studying the ins and outs of every vitamin and mineral essential to life. Exciting stuff! No, really! I’ve loved every second.
As I was reading about Magnesium, my text mentioned that it has been shown to help people with PMS symptoms, including migraines. I stopped in my tracks. I have had migraines once a month since the birth of my second son, with some relief using homeopathy, but they ended up coming back.
The night I read about Magnesium was the night my migraine came on. I have Magnesium Citrate and Calcium Citrate in my vitamin supply, (I use Thorne brand) so I popped one Calcium and two Magnesium capsules along with one Vitamin C. My book mentioned that Magnesium is best absorbed on an empty stomach so that your HCL (stomach acid) can aid in absorption. Also, it is best paired with Calcium and Vitamin C for maximum absorption.
I’m not kidding you, within about 20 minutes, my headache was gone. I was actually quite shocked! I never get headaches at all, unless they are a migraine, and I get the full-fledged nausea, sensitivity to light, the whole nine yards. If I don’t take pain medication early enough, they get VERY bad. I took NO MEDICINE, and it was gone faster and more completely than pain meds.
This was before bed, and when I woke up, I had no headache, but some of the associated symptoms of migraines (the nausea and sensitivity) were still there, so I took the same vitamin combination, and was completely fine within a half hour, and felt great ever since.
I can’t tell you how excited I am to have discovered this! Another interesting note, is that the homeopathic remedy I had used in the past to cause the headache to go away, was Magnesium Phosphate. It made sense that it worked for awhile, but I suppose that my body just needed more physical magnesium in my system for the headaches to go away. I am still working with my homeopath to regulate the underlying hormone issues that are at the root of the issue, so that I will not have the migraines to deal with at all.
Magnesium also works for other symptoms of PMS, including the monthly “crankies,” which I definately get monthly. As soon as I feel my patience slipping, and the anger start to boil, I pop the Mag, Calcium, and ViC combo, and I let my stresses fade away.
***Please consult a professional before making any adjustments with your vitamins, as they can interfere with other medications, and other supplements.***
Shared with: Frugally Sustainable, Women Living Well, Your Green Resource, Better Mom Monday, Titus 2sday, Teach Me Tuesday, Simple Lives Thursday.
I also have had some relief from migraines by taking magnesium. Mine are not just hormonally triggered, but I do sometimes get them at times when hormones are shifting.
For emotional PMS, I have gotten some relief from taking Vitamin B6.
Thank so much for sharing this. I have migraines and this is good to know.
Hope it helps.
This is so fascinating! I had heard about magnesium being deficient in many peoples’ diets, but hadn’t ever heard the migraine connection before. So glad you have found something that works for you! I used to get terrible migraines every month too, and finally figured out what my triggers were.
If you’re interested:
http://mindofthemother.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-i-cured-my-migraines-with-real-food.html
Thanks for sharing! Great article. Migraines are no fun, so when you find out what works for you, it is such a great relief!