So I was reading Mel's thread about Alan's friskiness, oh, I mean his restless leg syndrome and the magnesium you were suggesting. All the things you were suggesting he get his magnesium from I'm allergic to! Almonds and eggs! Milk and milk products give me diahreah.

I take my PN meds in the am and pm, (Topamax) and my depression meds (Paxil) at night, then I take Vitamin B-12, B-1, B-2, C (1,000 mg) Multi vitamin, and Vitamin D. I eat almost nothing but vegetables, fruits, chicken, fish and some oils, ( I try to sneak in a piece of bread or two a day) and if I put in anything else, I get the worst stomache ache, diahreah, and then my PN kicks in and I'm down for the day. As long as I stick to veggies and meats, no cheese, milk, eggs, or questionalbe foods, I'm o.k. Even if I get too much "dark green veggies" I have to "run" to the bathroom! I try to get a few bites of chocolate in sometimes, but I have to be sure I'm going to be close to the bathroom just in case it hits me too hard.

How can I get the magnesium you are suggesting without it going "straight through me"? (Oh, by the way, I've lost about 15 pounds in the last three months because of this PN!) Believe me, I've got it to lose. I started at 220 pounds. When I get down to 140, then I'll worry. I'm 5'7".

Thanks Mrs. D!

i'm sure mrsd will be posting to you real soon. she is awesome huh?

but here is link to the thread she started about magnesium in the vitamin and supplement forum:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=1138

so much good info here. i hope it helps.

"I take my PN meds in the am and pm, (Topamax) " Why are you taking topamax to get PN? 25% of Topamax users get PN if they never had it, you could be cured and never know it.

If you want magnesium, buy magnesium citrate, it has the highest bio availability.

Why are you taking topamax to get PN?
I was prescribed Topamax for my Peripheral Neuropathy. I take 100 mg. in the morning and 100 mg. at night before bed. The vitamins I take because I feel they help. My doctor never suggested them. He just prescribed the Topamax. My psychiatrist prescribed the Paxil and the Neurologist said it won't hurt to mix it with the Topamax.

Optimumeg, I guess I don't understand your question. Can you phrase it a little differently?

Eeek. It was sarcasm actually. Topamax can cause PN in 25% of patients. I would never ever even think of taking topamax if I had PN, because what if I was getting better? I'd never know since the topamax was causing its own PN! Take anything, but Topamax. Also, have you ever lowered your Paxil dose? Paxil withdrawal can cause PN like symptoms.

I have no problems with vitamins, but you should get magnesium citrate. Why are you trying to get magnesium from food? You seem to be into using supplements.

If you read my thread carefully, you will see links to places that give
food options. Eggs and dairy are very low in magnesium. So that should not
be an issue for you.

It is not normal to have diarrhea so often. And it is puzzling why diarrhea
aggravates your PN. Diarrhea will reduce potassium levels and over time also
magnesium. It is also dehydrating.

I think you should consult a gastroenterologist and have some work ups done.

Topamax can cause acidosis, and that should be tested for. Acidosis can cause diarrhea. The doctor can do a blood test to measure bicarbonate and tell if this is happening to you. (it is a VERY common side effect and serious).
http://www.medscape.com/files/emedicine/topic312.htm
McNeil sent warning letters to doctors about acidosis (low bicarb) side effects, so your doctor should know this fact.

--commonly prescribed "off-label" for peripheral neuropathy pain, along the same lines as Neurontin and others (although many often say it is preferable to Neurontin as it tends to make people lose, rather than gain, weight--you may have actually seen advertisements for it touting this effect!).

Topomax is not often a first line prescribed med, though, as it has a number of side effects that can be significant--one of the most prominent in the possiblity of visual disturbance. And yes, the possibility of neuropathy symptoms--tingling, buzzing--is also among the side effects noted (though generally not in those with such symptoms to begin with).