News you won't see in controlled mainstream media.

After being diagnosed with gluten sensitivity I started on a gluten free/casein free diet in April. It's been a real roller coaster ride with some very good days but still many bad ones.

Over the summer I developed seizures and muscle spasms in addition to my psychiatric problems. A psychiatrist that I consult with wrote this article ( http://www.corepsychblog.com/2007/08/celiac-notes-op.html ) about me. At first I thought that the seizures were caused by an opiate type withdrawal syndrome but after going through that for several months I started to think that some other problem needed to be addressed. After spending hours on the internet I came across this website ( http://george-eby-research.com/ ). I had come across Mr. Eby's website before but I didn't really pursue his treatment plan. After taking a lot of magnesium most of the seizures and muscle spams have gone away so I must have a serious magnesium deficiency. It looks like I've found another piece of the puzzle.

I ordered some magnesium taurate because it's supposed to be superior to the form of magnesium (citrate and malate) that I'm using now.

I've only been doing this for a week so I'm still early in the game. I have also been taking vitamin B6 because I read that is essential for the absorption of magnesium. In addition that that I take a multi-vitamin mineral supplement, arginine, omega three fatty acids, and vitamin E with selenium. I'm not taking folic acid or vitamin B12 now because some information that I read from the Pfeiffer Treatment Center indicates that I could be an undermethylater and an excess of those nutrients could be bad for me.

I juice greens on most days in addition to all of that.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

interesting post.
I cant comment much on the gluten or undermethylater topics, but I will say that all my research into muscle spasms led me again and again to magnesium as well.
I will share some thoughts with you, tho ultimately its nothing you dont know. You may know more than I do in fact.
Basically I agree.. magnesium serves as a calming mineral. I also agree (and yes I read researchbygeorge many times also) that taurate is the optimal source. I actually have magnesium glycinate and also something called Magnesium Optimizer which is 100mg mag citrate and 350mg taurine per pill. George warns against glycine for ppl with palpitations (my main problem along with comorbid anxiety/panic and some minor OCD that is so slight most people dont notice).

Im not sure what research led him to believe that taurine is better than glycine for calming the nervous system, but I have no reason to doubt him. Im fact, if we consumed more organ meats as our ancestors did, we would get much more taurine in our diets than we do today.

Another component of the inhibitory neurotransmitters to keep in mind is GABA and anything that acts on those receptors - such as neurontin i believe and some others may have an effect on your spasms. GABA by itself supposedly cant reach the brain in any effective quantities. But gaba combined with lots of inositol can.

Something Ive noticed is that when I was first treated for anxiety they tried me on Lexapro(a a SSRI - which acts on serotonin levels), and Ativan(a benzo) simultaneously. The result - the first (and only) few nights I took it, I layed in bed literally shaking from the muscle spasms/ tremor.
I discontinued the SSRI, and switched to xanax from Ativan and either by coincidence or not it greatly relieves my muscle spasms.

Sorry Im not offering much constructive here for you other than my story, but I too continually come back to the Magnesium issue and how supposedly we are all very deficient in it.

Have you considered having an intracellular magnesium test performed?
I assume you've had a blood chemistry panel during your ordeal, but as Im sure youve read the intracellular is the way to go. I have not done it yet personally.

I had a test run that showed extremely low levels of magnesium and calcium. Upon discontinuing Lexapro, I had a seizure-like reaction that the geniuses in the ER called a "pseudoparkonsonian reaction". It involved a lot of involuntary jerking. Not a pretty sight. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/stretcher.gif" alt="" />

I read about intracellular testing for magnesium but I really can't afford it. I'm just going to try taking the supplements and see how that works. I'm still getting some seizures and spasms but I understand that if I have a large deficiency that it will take some time to take care of that.

George Eby believes that magnesium taurate is the best type to take because both magnesium and taurine have a calming effect on the nervous system.

Tracii, I'm sorry to hear about your experience with Lexapro. I've had similar experiences with psych drugs. They can be very dangerous.

Tracii - what test did you have done? Just the serum test at your drs. office, or a saliva test or what? Im curious about getting one done.

Aaron- I think some of those tests are cheaper than others. I know it does cost some, but personally i believe in diagnostics. Thats actually one of the things western medicine is very good at in my opinion. Its just that they insist on treating symptoms rather than causes.
The glycine and the taurine are both calming if im not mistaken. I read some things a while back I may have bookmarked on spasms and convulsion type disorders that was very interesting. I will try to look it up for you.

When I had my food sensitivity testing done, they asked if I just wanted a whole blood workup done, so I said yes. They tested everything from bodily Ph to vitamin/mineral levels in the blood to liver function, etc. It was done through the chiropractor, who sent the blood off to various labs to evaluate it. My physician later accused the tests of being questionable, but I don't know who to believe. In any case, it was a blood test that I got through my chiropractor. Don't know how accurate it is or anything, but it showed markedly low levels of mg. and calcium. The chiro talked to me about it a little bit and gave me some T3 pills for dysfunctional thyroid activity due to a "sluggish liver" and some mg. with malic acid.

Unfortunately, blood tests for magnesium are not really an accurate way to test. My primary doctor admitted that to me when I asked him about it. The reason is, is that 99% of magnesium is found inside of the cells while only 1% is found in the blood. Potassium is the same thing. Instead, the body gives symptoms of magnesium shortage. Among them are tight neck, shoulder and jaw muscles, less than 2 bowel movements per day, easily startled by loud noises, lack of good sleep, anxiety, unfounded fears and apprehensions, depression, heart palpitations, skipped beats etc. I learned this from a world class nutrition researcher and formulator of nutrients. He has spent 38 years in research of nutrition and has trained around the world with some of the best researchers ever. He does market a line of nutrients which have changed my life (and my wife). She was anxious, depressed, hopelessness etc. and when I put her on a superior magnesium, these symptoms improved 90% or better! But most magnesium will not get these results. What we use is called Mag Plus and we order it mail order at: 1-877-222-9235. It can change your life. And no, I don't sell a thing. Just want to pass on something that is head and shoulders above what you usually find on the shelves.

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