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Magnesium supplement making symptoms worse?

Aaron275
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Aaron275 Enthusiast
Aaron275
Posted

Hi,

I was recommended by a doctor to use a magnesium supplement to help with gut healing. The type of magnesium is magnesium chloride. It's in the form of a transdermal spray.

I used it about 5 days ago and since then I have felt absolutely awful. Indigestion, upset stomach, fatigue, brain fog, depression, etc.

Does anyone know if magnesium supplements can cause a worsening of celiac symptoms? Or is it possible that this reaction is not related to celiac?

Thanks

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Aaron275 Enthusiast
Aaron275
Posted
  • Author

The only explanation I can think of is that the magnesium has improved my digestion, and now I'm absorbing more of foods that I'm intolerant to, and that is causing my symptoms?

I've stopped taking the magnesium anyway until I can work out what's going on.

Aaron275 Enthusiast
Aaron275
Posted
  • Author

Or maybe I just took too much and I need a lower dose. I was following the doctor's directions but maybe I'm more sensitive to it than other people.

DJFL77I Experienced
DJFL77I
Posted

magnesium can cause upset stomach in some people if you take a lot

 

Aaron275 Enthusiast
Aaron275
Posted
  • Author
11 hours ago, DJFL77I said:

magnesium can cause upset stomach in some people if you take a lot

 

Do you know how long it might take to recover? I stopped taking the magnesium 9 days ago and I still have symptoms.

ch88 Collaborator
ch88
Posted

Are you sure you aren't getting cross contaminated? Are you eating out at restaurants? I would eat just fruit and vegetables and meat for a while to see if that helps, or if you have other food sensitivities.  I wouldn't expect trans-dermal magnesium to cause any problems at this point.

If you recently went gluten free it may take a while for your body to adjust. 

DJFL77I Experienced
DJFL77I
Posted
On 11/13/2020 at 6:52 AM, Aaron275 said:

 

I used it about 5 days ago and since then I have felt absolutely awful. Indigestion, upset stomach, fatigue, brain fog, depression, etc.

that sounds like gluten...

unless the pills you took contained gluten

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Aaron275 Enthusiast
Aaron275
Posted
  • Author
10 hours ago, ch88 said:

Are you sure you aren't getting cross contaminated? Are you eating out at restaurants? I would eat just fruit and vegetables and meat for a while to see if that helps, or if you have other food sensitivities.  I wouldn't expect trans-dermal magnesium to cause any problems at this point.

If you recently went gluten free it may take a while for your body to adjust. 

I'm definitely not eating gluten. I do have other food intolerances, but my symptoms got 5 times worse right after taking the magnesium supplement, which makes me think there has to be a connection.

Also, I'm pretty sure this has happened before, because I was taking the same supplement back in August, and I remember feeling terrible then as well, but I didn't make the connection with this supplement until now.

I guess it doesn't really matter because I don't need the supplement anyway, I can just get the magnesium by eating more foods that contain it. I haven't tried doing that yet.

DJFL77I Experienced
DJFL77I
Posted

magnesium won't cause those symptoms...    just an upset stomach for a little while

ch88 Collaborator
ch88
Posted

Hum, I don't know. Maybe try taking magnesium (epson salt, or as a supplement) by mouth and see if the same thing happens? Or, yeah you could just eat foods with magnesium in it. 

Beverage Proficient
Beverage
Posted

Stop taking the magnesium for at least 3 days until no symptoms. Don't make any other changes to your supplements or diet.  Then re-introduce the magnesium at a very very small dose, gradually increase every few days.  Continue increasing every few days.  KEEP A LOG.  See if your symptoms return. 

KrisH Newbie
KrisH
Posted

Chances are that there is some ingredient in the spray, like alcohol or something, that might have gluten in it.  Try taking Natural Calm, which is a powder you mix in warm water and it dissolves, and gets into your body a lot faster.  It can make you sleepy/relaxed so I only take it at night.  I get the unflavored since it has no other ingredients.  If you take too much, it will give you loose stools (any magnesium will), so then I just back off a little.  It help with so many things, you should give magnesium another try.  

trents Grand Master
trents
Posted

Too much magnesium supplementation can cause loose stools. That's how milk of magnesia works. But if you have been off the magnesium supplement for 9 days then it should be well out of your system. Something else is causing your issues. If you do decide to go back on magnesium supplementation, do some research on the various forms it comes in and which ones are less likely to have a laxative effect. I'm taking one that is supposed to be less likely to cause GI distress. It's called magnesium lysinate glycinate chelate and is labeled as gluten free. The brand is "Doctor's Best." I get it on Amazon.

Aaron275 Enthusiast
Aaron275
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the responses.

I think I might have found the culprit. I've been taking a lot of hay fever allergy tablets in the last few weeks. These don't contain gluten, but any tablet or pill has the potential to cause symptoms for me (I'm assuming because they are hard to digest).

I didn't even consider this because I thought it was something I "needed" to take. I'm going to stop taking them and see if my symptoms resolve. I suspect that they might.

trents Grand Master
trents
Posted

What is in these tablets? Are they just an antihistamine or do they contain the allergens themselves as in desensitivity therapy?

Aaron275 Enthusiast
Aaron275
Posted
  • Author
10 hours ago, trents said:

What is in these tablets? Are they just an antihistamine or do they contain the allergens themselves as in desensitivity therapy?

I'm pretty sure it's just an antihistamine.

I should clarify that the problem is probably me, not the tablets. I am intolerant to a LOT of things.

I'm sure that someone who is in better shape would be able to tolerate it just fine.

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