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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Magnesium and Riboflavin
        
(Message started by: TimJohnson on Jul 26^th, 2004, 1:00pm)

Title: Magnesium and Riboflavin
Post by TimJohnson on Jul 26^th, 2004, 1:00pm

I have heard that 400mg of Riboflavin daily and 250mg of Magnesium daily will dramtically reduce the severity of CH. Has anyone else heard this?

Title: Re: Magnesium and Riboflavin
Post by floridian on Jul 26^th, 2004, 1:32pm

Intravenous magnesium helps ~40% of cluster heads, and oral magnesium may help, although probably not as quickly. Riboflavin appears to help with migraines but the evidence for that is not overwhelming and it has not been tested in clusters. Other B-vitamins may be helpful as well; most B-vitamins are safe and innexpensive. Melatonin helps about half of people with clusters, and there is some indication it helps migraneurs.

Quote:

Headache. 1995 Nov-Dec;35(10):597-600.

Intravenous magnesium sulfate relieves cluster headaches in patients with low serum ionized magnesium levels.

Mauskop A, Altura BT, Cracco RQ, Altura BM.

Department of Neurology, State University of New York, Health Science Center at Brooklyn, USA.

Patients with cluster headaches have been reported to have low serum ionized magnesium levels. We examined the possibility that patients with cluster headaches and low ionized magnesium levels may respond to an intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate. Thirty-eight infusions of magnesium sulfate were given to 22 patients with cluster headaches. The mean ionized magnesium level prior to 23 infusions which provided relief for at least 2 days and enabled the patient to skip two or more attacks, was 0.521 +/- 0.016 mmol/L; this value was 0.561 +/- 0.016 prior to 15 infusions which were ineffective. These latter 15 infusions were preceded by higher total magnesium levels. The ionized magnesium level prior to the 23 effective infusions was below 0.54 mmol/L in 19 patients. Five of the 15 ineffective infusions were accompanied by basal ionized magnesium levels below 0.54 mmol/L. In 76% of the infusions, there was a correlation between a response and an ionized magnesium level below 0.54 mmol/L. Nine patients (41%) obtained clinically meaningful improvement. Spontaneous remissions and a placebo effect might have accounted for some of the improvement. However, this should have applied equally to all patients, regardless of the ionized magnesium level. Measurements of ionized magnesium may prove useful in elucidating the pathogenesis of cluster headache and in identifying patients who may benefit from treatment with magnesium.

Title: Re: Magnesium and Riboflavin
Post by E-Double on Jul 26^th, 2004, 10:04pm

Hey floridian,
Where do you get all your info??
So impressed with the research you do. Quite helpful
Just wanted to let ya know that!!

E

Title: Re: Magnesium and Riboflavin
Post by TimJohnson on Jul 26^th, 2004, 10:16pm

Wow! Thanks for the info!

I see that the info you provide is from 1995. Recent studies at Johns Hopkins do show that the dosages I mentioned do support lowering the severity of pain in CH. I was curious if anyone else had seen or heard of research supporting this? I picked the publication up at my Pharmacy. I am unable to recall the name of it - but I could stop by to pick up another copy as I am out of Verapamil! :o

Title: Re: Magnesium and Riboflavin
Post by TimJohnson on Jul 26^th, 2004, 10:17pm

I do want to try melatonin! I see that many people try that with good results!

Title: Re: Magnesium and Riboflavin
Post by floridian on Jul 27^th, 2004, 8:19am

on 07/26/04 at 22:04:58, E-Double wrote:

Hey floridian,
Where do you get all your info??
So impressed with the research you do. Quite helpful
Just wanted to let ya know that!!

E

Thanks, just doing my part to help.

The main starting point for my info is:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi

Title: Re: Magnesium and Riboflavin
Post by ex_pat_asia on Jul 27^th, 2004, 9:04pm

Just throwing in my 2 cents regarding Floridian's link: That starting point for researching ANY medical information is the best on the net in my humble opinion. It is, without doubt, the most trustworthy. There are many sites touting medical information but this one is 24 karat. Thanks for posting it Floridian.

Title: Re: Magnesium and Riboflavin
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jul 29^th, 2004, 8:17am

WWW.HEADACHEPAINFREE.COM The content of this site has been expanded since I first posted it. It now covers several types of headache and a more general coverage of medications. It remains, to my knowledge, the best single source of information on the use of magnesium for headache--both for prevention and as a treatment during an active cycle.

Title: Re: Magnesium and Riboflavin
Post by TimJohnson on Jul 30^th, 2004, 10:30pm

AWESOME!

Thanks Everyone!

Title: Re: Magnesium and Riboflavin
Post by cleon on Aug 1^st, 2004, 5:37am

A month ago I had a Mg Sulphate Intra Drip - I usually get hit every 12 to 16 weeks (and due again soon) so I will let you know how I go. My Dr has decided to wait until the Ch's hit again before he drips some more Mg S in.