muscle disorder

[Sherri8181968]

I have had problems with my muscles and energy levels since I was a kid. I am now 42 and it is progressively getting worse. I am in constant pain, which I am on several medications for. I have been hospitalized a few times for severe pain. I have seen a neurologist. He did a muscle biopsy, which showed some "irregularities", but was not conclusive. They did test for McArdle's, it matches my symptoms exactly. I get extremely tired and my muscles fatigue very easily. I have to eat a high protein diet and stay completely away from sugars of any kind. For the last 3 years I have been dealing with chronic Paricarditis... not sure if there is a connection or not?? It's been almost ten years since the biopsy and I am wondering if there is anything else I might be tested for. I have also had problems with my feet for as long as I can remember, but now it is getting worse. Severe cramps in my left foot... not sure if this is related to my muscle problem or not? I do have a second cousin who has the exact sypmtoms I do. My mother has lupus/mixed connective tissue disorder. I have had my ANA and the other one that is more defined and they were both ok. I have also had my adrenals, thyroid and iron levels checked and cpk... all were fine. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or comments :).

[compnet]

Magnesium Taurate doesn't cause bowel problems, as far as I've read.  It's common with the other forms.

Have you tried a Free Form Amino Acid supplement?

[Sherri8181968]

Thank you for the reply. In the past I have used magnesium and it did help with the pain to a little bit, but not the muscle fatigue/weakness. I can not take mag any more because it loosens the my bowels too much. I have never tried to do mag through IV, which I have done other vitamins on a weekly basis, which did help, but now my Dr won't do the IV's any more because of the Paricarditis. He did run a bunch of blood tests a few days ago, including cpk, iron and maybe mag? I'll get the report soon. I do know that very hot baths with epson salt and lavender does help to relax my muscles, but it doesn't help with muscle fatigue/weakness. Any suggestions on what might help that? I do take 5g of glutamine, which seems to help the muscles repair themselves a bit faster. (this is another problem I have with the disorder, I don't heal as fast as a normal person does.) Thank you for your input, it is greatly appreciated :).

[compnet]

Note in the article where it says:

"Considering that the quantity of circulating
Mg++ is only 0.3% of the total body content, it
appears to be a poor indicator of intracellular
inadequacy. Some of our patients have had muscle
symptoms, which have been treated empirically
and beneficially in spite of a normal Mg++
blood level. In both these case reports, no electrocardiographic
changes were apparent during
intravenous replacement of magnesium."

[compnet]

With Paricarditis, you will have to check with your doctor before trying any supplement.

Magnesium and potassium deficiency can cause these muscle pains and problems, and the fatigue.  Magnesium is very important for proper muscle and nerve function and relaxation, including the heart.

I came across an incredible study of two cases of severe pain from magnesium deficiency: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2146789/pdf/canfamphys00077-0094.pdf