Adastra: I remember you as ASTRA from Old BrainTalk. Good to see you here. And I do hope you can post some. Yes, it is hard to do so when you are affected by various problems, but I would hope that the value you would get would be more than compensatory.

About your supplement: Are you sure that the ratio is 400/188, with magnesium being 400? The desired ratio is twice the calcium over magnesium. I take 1000 mg/day of calcium and 500 mg/day of magnesium, in divided doses. So, even if your supplement has the right ratio, you would need more than 1 capsule/day.

DBVogt: I have not heard any controversy regarding Amitriptyline's effects. It is primarily an antidepressant medication that is sometimes, although not much anymore, used to treat PN. Its pharmacological actions are to act as a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Thus, concentrations of those two neurotransmitters are increased. This is the mechanism that is believed to boost mood.

And it is the same mechanism that is believed to help reduce pain. I am not familiar with any major hypotheses that suggest it can help "cure" damaged nerves. I have seen suggestions that perhaps in combination with a certain genetic profile, that increases in these neurotransmitters may aid regrowth. But at this point, I think it is quite fair to say that Amitriptyline might be effectively used for symptomatic relief only.

rfinney

Hello Richard

How nice to converse with you again after such a long interval and thank you so much for you kind interest.

With regard to my supplement it is Magnesium Chelate by Source Naturals and the supp facts per tablet are:- calcium 47mg (4%), magnesium 100mgmg (25%). As I take 2 tablets twice per day this totals according to my reckoning 400mg magnesium and 188mg calcium. I have also started taking 200mg of potassium in tablet form per day in an attempt to help the cramping along with two bananas as well!!

With regard to the Amitriptyline I have to tell you that my Neuro had me on 150mg per day about four years ago and it had absolutely no effect at all. Either good or bad, so I came off them VERY slowly indeed. I doubt they would help much with pain relief now.

Bearing in mind my forthcoming cardiac CT scan and possible treatment afterwards I am naturally rather worried about anything I take that is new.

I do hope you are feeling better than when we last “met” as it were and I wish you a very much more pain free and happier New Year.

Tony