Magnesium

Apparently I am supposed to feel this bad! The magnesium oxide causes cramps, diarrhea and dizziness. I had one of the Neupogen shots today so I asked about feeling so bad. I was told to "hang in there"! Yeah, easier said then done. I wondered how a lack of magnesium could make me feel so bad. Magnesium is a mineral that is involved in over 300 reactions in the body. It is important for every organ in the body, particularly the heart, muscles, and kidneys. It also contributes to the composition of teeth and bones. Most importantly, it activates enzymes, contributes to energy production, and helps regulate calcium levels as well as copper, zinc, potassium, vitamin D, and other important nutrients in the body. Magnesium is available in many foods. However, most people in the United States probably do not get as much magnesium as they should from their diet. Magnesium is found in whole unprocessed foods in the diet. Despite the fact that dietary levels of magnesium are often low, actual deficiency of this nutrient is rare. Certain medical conditions, however, can upset the body's magnesium balance. For example, intestinal flu with vomiting or diarrhea can cause temporary magnesium deficiencies. Certain stomach and bowel diseases (such as irritable bowel syndrome or IBS and ulcerative colitis), diabetes, pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism (high thyroid hormone levels), kidney malfunction, and use of diuretics can lead to deficiencies. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency may include agitation and anxiety, restless leg syndrome (RLS), sleep disorders, irritability, nausea and vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms, low blood pressure, confusion, muscle spasm and weakness, hyperventilation, insomnia, poor nail growth, and even seizures. Foods rich in magnesium include unrefined grains, nuts and green vegetables. Green leafy vegetables are particularly good sources of magnesium because of their chlorophyll content.

So, the morale of this story is to get your magnesium because you do not want to have to deal with this! Throughout all of the chemo, I have not felt this bad before. It sucks!