Posted by Sean on October 8, 1999, at 12:14:17
In reply to Depression/Fatigue and Magnesium, posted by andrewb on October 7, 1999, at 22:45:18
> Has anyone taken magnesium supplements for fatigue/irritability associated with depression? I’m asking because of a couple things that I read recently. A recent journal article speculated that a subgroup of those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) represent a variant of dysthymia (chronic low grade depression). Dysthymics, like those with CFS, often experience fatigue, poor concentration, low drive and, of course, low mood. Most CFS patients, according to another study, improve when given magnesium. Their energy levels rise, they have better emotional states and less pain.
> I took magnesium supplements recently and they seemed to take away the unusually severe muscle soreness I would have following exercise. I took the magnesium in the form and dosage that a book recommended for those with CFS, that is, 300 mg of magnesium aspartate 3 times a day. Magnesium citrate is also an acceptable form.
> Below is an abstract of one of the studies alluded to above.
>
> Title Dysthymia: clinical picture, overlap with chronic fatigue syndrome, neuropharmacological considerations, and new therapeutic vistas.
> Authors Brunello N; Akiskal H; Boyer P; Gessa GL; Howland RH; Langer SZ; Mendlewicz J; Paes de Souza M; Placidi GF; Racagni G; Wessely S
> Address Center of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Italy. brunello@isfunix.farma.unimi.it
> Source J Affect Disord, 52(1-3):275-90 1999 Jan-Mar
>
> Abstract
> Dysthymia, as defined in the American Psychiatric Association and International Classification of Mental Disorders, refers to a prevalent form of subthreshold depressive pathology with gloominess, anhedonia, low drive and energy, low self-esteem and pessimistic outlook. Although comorbidity with panic, social phobic, and alcohol use disorders has been described, the most significant association is with major depressive episodes. Family history is loaded with affective, including bipolar, disorders. The latter finding explains why dysthymia, especially when onset is in childhood, can lead to hypomanic switches, both spontaneously and upon pharmacologic challenge in as many as 30%. Indeed, antidepressants from different classes -tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (RIMAs), selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and, more recently, amisulpride, and spanning noradrenergic, serotonergic as well as dopaminergic mechanisms of action - have been shown to be effective against dysthymia in an average of 65% of cases. This is a promising development because social and characterologic disturbances so pervasive in dysthymia often, though not always, recede with continued pharmacotherapy beyond acute treatment. Despite symptomatic overlap of dysthymia with chronic fatigue syndrome - especially with respect to the cluster of symptoms consisting of low drive, lethargy, lassitude and poor concentration - neither the psychopathologic status, nor the pharmacologic response profile of the latter syndrome is presently understood. Chronic fatigue today is where dysthymia was two decades ago. We submit that the basic science - clinical paradigm that has proven so successful in dysthymia could, before too long, crack down the conundrum of chronic fatigue as well. At a more practical level, we raise the possibility that a subgroup within the chronic fatigue group represents a variant of dysthymia.This is interesting. I've been taking a calcium,
potassium, magnesium supplement for a while and
I think there is some effect, especially with
somatic things like jumpy muscles. There was a
similar study done with calcium.Sean.
poster:Sean
thread:12776
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991001/msgs/12818.html