LymeNet Flash: A Serious Question About Severe Muscle Spasms

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Posted by Horse Lover (Member # 4124) on :

I have been treated for Lyme overall since last June of '03. I've responded very, very well and will actually be cut loose with regard to the medications very soon -- then the specialist will monitor me for another year. I'm feeling much, much better and have not had any flares that I know of.

Question: Does anyone know if the long-term use of abx can deplete the body of magnesium? I know magnesium deficiency can result in spasms and muscle cramping. The reason I ask is that for no apparent reason, I've had very severe muscle spasms in my back for several days now -- bad enough to keep me from work yesterday and today (and I can't ride my horse!!!). I'm taking my muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatory, and while it's helping, my muscles are still quite spased out.

I purchased some high quality magnesium and calcium (this carrys the magnesium into the body more efficiently) yesterday, so I've only been on it for the one day. I was also thinking of purchasing some Pedialyte, which is a very concentrated electrolyte. No point in going to my GP, as they will tell me to relax, take my Flexeril and anti-inflammatory.

If anyone out there knows the answer to this question or has some solid knowledge about this, please let me know. Thank you in advance.

Posted by Homey (Member # 5570) on :

Magnesium deficiency is pretty common I've heard with disease states. Muscle spasms are a common symptom of Lyme disease. I have had muscle spasms in my back, leg and foot. I give myself magnesium intramuscular injections. The shot I use is methylcolbalamide, b-complex and magnesium--one cc each. I do this 2-3 times a week. It helps a lot.

Posted by Horse Lover (Member # 4124) on :

Thanks for your replies. Knowing myself and body very well, I think these back "spasms" are from a depletion of magnesium vs. a symptom of Lyme (and the sudden weather change and the fact that I'm doing more with my Pilates and riding, it may be that I will get spasms easier since my level of magnesium is not up to snuff). I've been blood tested every 4-5 weeks since last September and results are much, much better now with regard to the Lyme -- and I have no co-infections at this point. I've got a call into the LLMD, so we shall see. In any event, I will take the magnesium (chelated form is absorbed more efficiently by the body) and see what happens. Thanks again for your feedback.

Posted by riversinger (Member # 4851) on :

Yes, antibiotics can cause magnesium depletion. So can a Lyme infection, so you have a double whammy.

My doctor has told me that when the magnesium levels get low enough, the body has a hard time absorbing oral magnesium.

I've had IV magnesium, which really helped with spasms, but now I'm having trouble with the veins for IV insertion, so am doing IM magnesium, 7 cc daily. One your cellular magnesium levels get back up, then oral is effective again.

So, if the oral doesn't work for you, consider IV or IM. Regular blood tests won't tell if magnesium is low, you have to test the intacellular levels, which is done with a cheek scraping. But hopefully, you won't have to go that far.

Posted by TheCrimeOfLyme (Member # 4019) on :

Horselover,

Do a search on the name "Marnie". She has posted the magnesium link for a very very long time. But to answer your question as others have YES yes yes

Take some mag and see if that helps!

Jodie

Posted by Horse Lover (Member # 4124) on :

Thanks to all for your reply and insight. Very best wishes to all!

Posted by WildCondor on :

Oh yes, Lyme depletes magnesium. I take Magnesium sulfate shots 3x per week, and they are awesome. I have alot of muscle spasms and twitching if i dont take it. A good oral to take is MAG TAB SR

here is the link, write it down and take it with you to a walmart, CVS, Walgreens or any pharmacy and have them order it for you.
http://www.niche-inc.com/niche/magtab.html

Ask your LLMD about a Rx for the shots, they help very much. I take the MagTab SR 2 caps 2x per day and the shots too.

Feel better!

------------------
Lyme Disease Help
http://www.wildcondor.com

Posted by Horse Lover (Member # 4124) on :

Thanks so much about the info. on Mag-Tab SR! I will find a supplier. Very best wishes to all for a healthier, happier future!

Posted by Horse Lover (Member # 4124) on :

Marc - Thanks so much for your detailed explanation. It's interesting because when I queried my LLMD about whether or not the long-term use of abx could begin to deplete the Mg levels, they said "no, they had never heard of that".... But it makes very good sense to me in that anytime one's body is out of "sync," so to speak, their entire body and its chemistry could certainly be out of sync.

I got these severe, severe spasms for no apparent reason, and they occured several weeks ago. Each time, I lost 3+ days from work, which is a first in the entire time I've been treated for Lyme. I went to my acupuncturist this afternoon and he said that possibly I had a "reaction" to something -- well, the only things I have taken that are different are some Chinese herbal supplements. Possibly these, combined with the Lyme, etc., created some sort of reaction -- and man, what an incredibly painful reaction it was. I'm able to sit up straight and walk straight this afternoon after my treatment. While my back and sides are sore now, since the spasms have subsided, I will still go out and ride my wonderful stallion tomorrow!

Thanks so much again and I will reattempt to search the name Marnie for further information, as I could not find it yesterday.

Very best wishes to all!

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