that is an old remedy... historically there may be people who still use it. You have to be very careful measuring it though. I don't think most people can be trusted to use it for constipation, safely.

Just use the epsom salts for soaks. DO NOT use hot water.
And don't put too much in the water either, as it will sting you like salt does. If you use a bathtub, 6 -8 ounces is enough.
2 ounces in a small foot tub. Use lukewarm water and soak for about 1/2 hr.

Now that I have the mortons epsom lotion I find I really use the salts to soak anymore, just easier, faster. Mostly cuz I only enjoy hot soaks and can't do it anymore.

I've just been searching for Morton's lotion online. It doesn't seem to be available in the UK. There's a product called Ancient Minerals but it's quite expensive compared to the US Amazon price for Mortons.
I've also seen a couple of sites that tell you how to make your own using magnesium oil and other ingredients. Doubt if I'll go to that much trouble..

I saw the laxative reference when researching theraputic uses, Apparantly it is used to empty the bowels of patients prior to surgery as well.
Just think, if I didn't have the symptoms of PN, I would have gone through life oblivious of that fact LOL.

K x

One of my favorite quotes is: If you learn one new thing a day, at the end of the year you will have learned 365 new things !
I have that in one of my sketchbooks! LOL
Printmaking was one of those topics that had much to learn!

Magnesium in large amounts is laxative. It is used to clean people out before X-rays...But now in US they are moving to PEG as a substitute, because in people with poor kidney functions...too much magnesium (as in enemas and laxatives) is poisonous.

Magnesium oxide is a laxative as it does not ionize in the stomach and moves along to become a saline catharthic. So using it as a supplement is useless.

It is best to keep oral supplements to 200mg elemental daily.

i also get muscle twitches in my calves mostly but lately on my stomach more. i just sit there sometimes and watch the twitching. its amazing really.

I've had them in my calves for 10 years now. There came on out of the blue and felt very pronounced and were very visible. I had been going through a prolonged period of stress without realising at the time.
Eventually they calmed down to a point where I hardly notice them any more.

Lately though, they have come back with a vengence. I get them across my mouth, back, chest, practically anywhere, but they are fleeting and random.
The one in my arm was particularly annoying as it lasted for hours. It was gone by the time I went to bed last night and I only noticed a couple of "flutters" through the night.
I tried not to worry too much about it yesterday.Worrying about every little thing feeds my anxiety..

Shortly after my mum died, 14 years ago, I developed an irregular heartbeat and took beta blockers for 18 months. It's gone now thankfully, but it proves my body has a tendency to the twitchy sort of response to stress..

Re: magnesium if supplementing daily, should we be taking calcium along with it as to keep a good balance ?
Mrs D this one may be for you. Thanks

A couple years ago I was experiencing little cramps in the top of my left calf, my DR prescribed Nortriptyline which knocked that right out- only took it for a couple weeks.

Thanks for that info. I have been using way too much Epsom Salts in my bath. Curious why not in hot water? Before all this I loved Epson Salts HOT baths. Now hot water triggers my symptoms so it's lukewarm for me. Glad to know I shouldn't be doing it since I can't!

Hi Kazzar1958
I had twitches for a time in my upper arm. They were not painful but lasted for a few hours and then came back again for about a week. They haven't been back for awhile but that doesn't mean they won't. My neurologist told me they were BFS.

Since the onset of my symptoms I have had them in my calves. They would keep me up every night. I still get them some nights but they are much milder. Some things that have helped me:

Slow mag 2 times a day
Morton's Epsom Salt lotion
10's machine
banana or coconut water
Gabapentin (I think it has helped with the twitches but I am not pushing this drug. I'm planning to try getting off it soon.)