In our continuing series on self-care, today we focus on the critical role of nutrients and minerals in our overall health, specifically highlighting magnesium. Often overlooked and rarely tested unless requested, magnesium plays a vital role in numerous bodily functions. Yet, its deficiency can lead to a range of symptoms that are frequently misdiagnosed.

I have been dealing with migraines or cluster headaches or whatever you want to call them, for months on end. I have been seeing neurologists and speech therapists. I have been tested, poked, prodded, and scanned. I’ve had my hormones tested and my eyes checked. My oxygen levels have been monitored. Each piece of information was like a jig saw puzzle piece giving only a single clue but not giving an overall picture of what was happening.

I mean, to put it in perspective, imagine Thor smashing his hammer in your head. Some days start with the hammer just swinging, barely making contact (level 1 to 2); other days, you wake up with it making its presence known on just one side of your head (level 3 to 4) or even just making itself a nuisance in the middle, spreading evenly (level 5 to 6). Usually by the end of the day, say 7:00 pm, Thor has gotten bored with just swinging it around and decides to start pounding (level 7 to 8), usually increasing in intensity, only slightly controlled with medication (level 8 to 9). Some days, like Friday, I am at a level 10 headache all day, with no end in sight, calling it quits at 5:00 pm, grateful my work day is done.

Remember, Recognizing Enough?

Now, keep in mind, that this has been going on since February. One hundred and thirty-four days in a row. 134. 100+30+4.

Every. Single. Day.

You get desperate. You consider everything and anything to make the headaches stop. You spray medications up your nose. You put drops in your eyes. You start taking various prescribed medications. You start wearing progressive glasses. You sleep with a mask blowing air and moisture, hoping your oxygen does not drop too much. You eat healthy foods, cooked from scratch, with meats purchased from local farmers. You avoid foods that make you blow up. You avoid foods that make your body itch. That is, when you remember to eat. And you drink your coffee, your water, and your prescribed soda because caffeine is supposed to help.

But nothing makes the headaches ever go away.

And then, someone tells your husband that you should try taking a magnesium supplement.

And you do. Why? Because at this point, why not. Nothing else has worked.

And after three doses over three days, you wake up.

And no headache.

Not even a wiggle.

Thor has been banished.

You knock on wood. You jump for joy! You are so excited because for the first time in 134 days, you are pain free.

At the same time, you are scratching your head.

And you start to research and learn more about this wonderful mineral.

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It supports muscle and nerve function, regulates blood pressure, and aids in the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Magnesium is also crucial for maintaining a healthy immune system and keeping bones strong.

Magnesium deficiency, also known as hypomagnesemia, can manifest through various symptoms, often leading to misdiagnoses. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include:

1. Muscle Cramps and Spasms: A common sign of magnesium deficiency, muscle cramps and spasms occur because magnesium helps muscles relax. (Fibromyalgia diagnosis)
2. Fatigue and Weakness: Low magnesium levels can result in chronic fatigue and general weakness. (Fibromyalgia diagnosis)
3. Nausea and Vomiting: Gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting can be linked to magnesium deficiency. (Let’s just say I have issues with my tummy and keep it…..clean.)
4. Loss of Appetite: A reduced appetite can be an early sign of low magnesium levels. (How about just forgetting to eat?)
5. Numbness and Tingling: Magnesium is essential for nerve function; a deficiency can cause numbness and tingling, especially in the extremities. (Fibromyalgia diagnosis)
6. Abnormal Heart Rhythms: Severe magnesium deficiency can lead to arrhythmia or irregular heartbeats, which can be dangerous. (Do you mean like dropping to such a low resting heart rate that your oxygen drops to 78% or suddenly spikes from 90/60 to 147/85?)
7. Mental Health Issues: Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders can be exacerbated by low magnesium levels. (Anyone living in chronic, never-ending pain will totally get this….even people like me that have a superpower described as “genuinely optimistic about everything” can struggle.)
8. Sleep Issues: Magnesium plays a crucial role in regulating neurotransmitters that are involved in sleep. Deficiency can lead to insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns. (How about sleep hypopnea? Does that count? Or not getting any REM sleep? Or never deep sleeping?)

Many of these symptoms are nonspecific and can be attributed to various other conditions, (like those that I noted with diagnoses I have been given) leading to frequent misdiagnoses. For instance, muscle cramps might be attributed to dehydration, fatigue to anemia or thyroid issues, and mood disorders to psychological factors without considering nutrient deficiencies.

Physicians typically DO NOT test for magnesium levels unless specifically asked. I checked. I have access to my history of tests performed for the past decade.

Nope. No magnesium tests.

Not one.

If a deficiency is confirmed, increasing dietary intake through magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains can help.

Except in my case, I cannot eat leafy greens (causes a histamine reaction and hives all over); nuts or seeds (diverticulitis and a nut allergy); or whole grains (I’m on a gluten-free diet). So, basically, I have been avoiding magnesium-rich foods for a long time.

It all starts to make sense. At least, to me.

Using blood that I had taken for another round of tests and prior to trying magnesium, my physician is going to check my magnesium levels.

Now, those are results that I can hardly wait for.