Guest guest Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 When I started SCD the first time I had actual muscle cramps (charlie horses)...could be a mineral deficiency...I took magneseum, calcium and potassium (and a banana at night). It went away after a while, but I think it has something to do with the die off as well. SCD (2nd time) 2/08 Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 …I'd boost your electrolytes more often, and add extra magnesium and potassium regularly, maybe not every day but often enough to stop the twitches and cramps. Kim, thanks for the advice. Have you found a good way to take magnesium so that it doesn’t give you diarrhea? It seems like that happens whenever I’ve taken it. I had an effervescent form of it, but it’s not SCD-legal. Maybe like you suggested – not taking it every day – would be infrequent enough to prevent that? Thanks again, Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 I think everyone should be very carefull about the magnesium I tried 1 dose of magnesium and bleed for 4 days & I'd never bleed before this. So be very careful!! olive cd 1yr scd 7mths Re:Re: muscle twitches Hi Deb I have had to regularly boost my magnesium, potassium and electrolytes in the past 3 years (started SCD nearly 5 years ago) to keep from getting severe leg and feet cramps -- very severe, the kind where all the tendons contract and I fall over, unable to move. I haven't been blaming SCD though, but my own deteriorating nervous system. I do get muscle twitches in my thighs, ITBand and glutes when my muscles get fatigued; I think it might be due to an inability to release lactic acid, but I'm still reading up on this. The muscle twitches in these areas started 6 months ago (after I'd gotten my lower leg and feet cramps under management) at the same time I also developed what my doctors are currently labelling "faulty gait mechanics," possibly due to my leg and feet neuropathies. I also get a lot of pain in my knees and ITBand, but that's because my legs aren't moving normally and are stressed. In my case I don't think the muscle twitches and cramps are coming from my diet, although it's true that a boost of magnesium, potassium and electrolytes helps get my muscles and tendons to relax. However, I have seen lots of emails from people on SCD who also find they need to boost their magnesium and potassium more often. Might be due to the fact we're not getting these minerals through eating starches, but I suspect it is because of malnourishment, which we all have to some degree when we start SCD and/or have digestive disorders. Our bodies aren't getting enough of these minerals through food sources. Just some possibilities. I'd boost your electrolytes more often, and add extra magnesium and potassium regularly, maybe not every day but often enough to stop the twitches and cramps. Kim M. SCD 4+ years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Well my kidneys react to too much magnesium (they hurt) and I don't have a problem with diarrhea but actually need magnesium's laxative effect since I have the opposite problem [grin]. That's a concern for you. From what I recall, magnesium glycinate is usually well- tolerated by people; but there are a few types of magnesium that are better for those with diarrhea not constipation. I'll try to find the information again and post it. I take a very low dose of magnesium, and mix it in water to lessen the impact on my kidneys and help my body better absorb it. That might help you too. I get 100mg capsules of magnesium glycinate from Kirkman Labs, and empty half of the capsule into 10 oz. of water (or large glass), and have it every other day -- depending on my muscle cramps. If I'm mixing up a batch of electrolyte drink, I'll use a full 100mg capsule of magnesium to 2 quarts of water, plus add potassium, usually 100 mg. too. I've found that when my feet and legs go into severe cramps, the only thing that will relax the tendons is a 50 mg dose of potassium. Usually I swallow it whole because I'm barely able to move about, but I drink a glass of water with it. Then I follow the potassium (when my tendons start relaxing so I can move more easily and can safely extract my pitcher of electrolyte drink from the fridge) with a glass or two of electrolyte drink. Usually I take my supplements mixed in water -- or by injection. And I take low doses of them so my immune system, kidneys or bladder don't object. You might be more successful with a low dose of magnesium/potassium too; less impact on your D. If you're not suffering from major cramps, then you wouldn't need to supplement magnesium or potassium too often, especially if it increases your D. You can always check in with your doctor too. My neurologist and primary doctor have strongly encouraged me to continually boost my electrolytes and my minerals, to pay attention to my body's signals so I'd know when to do so and avoid serious complications and trips to the hospital. They were actually right on this! I keep electrolyte drink handy at all times, and usually can avoid the really severe cramping which is completely debilitating and terribly painful... Kim M. SCD 4+ years > _____ > > Kim, thanks for the advice. Have you found a good way to take magnesium so > that it doesn't give you diarrhea? It seems like that happens whenever I've > taken it. I had an effervescent form of it, but it's not SCD- legal. Maybe > like you suggested - not taking it every day - would be infrequent enough to > prevent that? > > > > Thanks again, > > Deb > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 My muscle twitches seem to be due to imbalance of Calcium and Magnesium. I take a lot of both (for bone density and fibromyalgia type pains) but I find if I take as much calcium as magnesium I start to get twitches in various places, including legs, feet, hands, eyelids. I use Magnesium Malate (also called Malic Acid) and it does not give me diarrhea (but I'm still looking for a brand that doesn't have SCD-illegal Croscarmellose in it). Debbie T (UC 27yrs, SCD 10/06, Lialda) > > Hi, > Has anyone who's gone on SCD developed muscle twitches? I've been on SCD > since Feb 22, and started getting twitches in my thighs and glutes a few > days ago. I tested low for magnesium a couple years ago, so maybe that's > it, but thought I'd throw it out and see if it's happened to anyone else. > > Deb > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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