Hello,
I have a 17 year old son who is suffering from depression and anxiety. I have CC - he does not but has had another illness (ITP - immune system attacking platelets, this was a one time case that has not reoccurred) that makes me worry that he could be susceptible to developing MC or some other chronic illness. His psychiatrist is recommending that he start Prozac, which is an SSRI. I know I have seen that SSRIs are associated with the onset of MC. She said that an SNRI or Wellbutrin are also possibilities but Prozac matches up more closely with his needs. He also takes extended release Ritalin for ADD and she said that Wellbutrin can function in a similar way to Ritalin. She said that it is not unheard of to take Wellbutrin and Ritalin together, but we would need to watch closely for problems - it is possible that Wellbutrin could help the depression but worsen the anxiety. I don't know much about antidepressants but the side effect of SNRIs seem scarier then SSRIs.
Any thoughts on what the best option is here? I would prefer no medication but therapy is not working.
Thanks All!
Antidepressants
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Hi Lucky,
He may just be magnesium deficient— anxiety and depression are symptoms of magnesium deficiency. But a doctor will never tell you that something as simple and cheap as magnesium will treat anxiety and depression (even though there is published research recommending it). Is he taking a magnesium supplement now? I mean a good one, such as magnesium glycinate. Not the magnesium oxide in most multivitamins. Magnesium oxide is only useful as a laxative.
Tex
He may just be magnesium deficient— anxiety and depression are symptoms of magnesium deficiency. But a doctor will never tell you that something as simple and cheap as magnesium will treat anxiety and depression (even though there is published research recommending it). Is he taking a magnesium supplement now? I mean a good one, such as magnesium glycinate. Not the magnesium oxide in most multivitamins. Magnesium oxide is only useful as a laxative.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thank, Tex!
He is not taking magnesium. His pediatrician did a blood panel a few years ago and found that his D was low. He has taken 1000 mg of D since then in addition to his multi vitamin. I have wondered if that low dose of D is enough but the Ped wanted to wait until he is 18 to rerun the blood test.
The good news is that the psychiatrist ordered blood testing and she mentioned that she was checking for deficiencies so that is a good sign she is open to it. It looks like she ordered CBC, some type of metals panel (can't read the first word), TSH, FTY?, Vit D, B12/Folate. Do you think magnesium is included in there somewhere?
I don't have a good magnesium supplement because I have always felt that they bother me - even the good ones. I will start with getting his blood test done and then order a good magnesium supplement for him.
It would be wonderful if that is the answer.
As always, thanks for your help!
He is not taking magnesium. His pediatrician did a blood panel a few years ago and found that his D was low. He has taken 1000 mg of D since then in addition to his multi vitamin. I have wondered if that low dose of D is enough but the Ped wanted to wait until he is 18 to rerun the blood test.
The good news is that the psychiatrist ordered blood testing and she mentioned that she was checking for deficiencies so that is a good sign she is open to it. It looks like she ordered CBC, some type of metals panel (can't read the first word), TSH, FTY?, Vit D, B12/Folate. Do you think magnesium is included in there somewhere?
I don't have a good magnesium supplement because I have always felt that they bother me - even the good ones. I will start with getting his blood test done and then order a good magnesium supplement for him.
It would be wonderful if that is the answer.
As always, thanks for your help!
There's a slim chance that magnesium is somewhere in that metals panel, but I doubt it. And the standard serum magnesium test that doctors order is so inaccurate that it's virtually useless for anywhere but the emergency room. It's the reason why doctors almost never detect a magnesium deficiency. It's probably the main reason why 80 % of the general public is magnesium deficient. It's always safe to take the RDA of magnesium (no matter how much magnesium might be in your food).) Of course, as you pointed out, it you take the wrong type of magnesium it will act as a laxative. But the right type of magnesium (magnesium glycinate) can sometimes perform miracles for someone who's deficient.
If the doctor is willing to order a useful magnesium test, ask her to order an RBC magnesium test. The RBC stands for red blood cell. It's much, much more reliable and accurate than the usual serum test.
But regardless of what she does, if he were my son, I wouldn't want him to continue to suffer. I'd try about 200 mg of magnesium glycinate for a week or so, to see if he can feel any improvement. I'd divide the dose up between meals, and if he felt that it was helping, I'd increase the dose to 300 mg. If he's really deficient, 200 mg may not be enough to get him back up to normal.
And I agree with you that 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day will never bring his level back up to normal. If he's depressed, the associated stress will deplete his vitamin D faster than normal. As long as he remains vitamin D deficient, he has a significantly increased risk of developing various autoimmune diseases. It will probably guarantee that he will be a frequent customer for health care services for the rest of his life. His doctor is jeopardizing his future health while she waits. Adequate levels of vitamin D and magnesium are essential for the proper operation of our immune systems. Without them, our health is bound to deteriorate.
Accurate and reliable vitamin D test kits are available online. They're also available at walk-in labs.
Tex
If the doctor is willing to order a useful magnesium test, ask her to order an RBC magnesium test. The RBC stands for red blood cell. It's much, much more reliable and accurate than the usual serum test.
But regardless of what she does, if he were my son, I wouldn't want him to continue to suffer. I'd try about 200 mg of magnesium glycinate for a week or so, to see if he can feel any improvement. I'd divide the dose up between meals, and if he felt that it was helping, I'd increase the dose to 300 mg. If he's really deficient, 200 mg may not be enough to get him back up to normal.
And I agree with you that 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day will never bring his level back up to normal. If he's depressed, the associated stress will deplete his vitamin D faster than normal. As long as he remains vitamin D deficient, he has a significantly increased risk of developing various autoimmune diseases. It will probably guarantee that he will be a frequent customer for health care services for the rest of his life. His doctor is jeopardizing his future health while she waits. Adequate levels of vitamin D and magnesium are essential for the proper operation of our immune systems. Without them, our health is bound to deteriorate.
Accurate and reliable vitamin D test kits are available online. They're also available at walk-in labs.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thank you!
I will ask the doctor about the RBC magnesium test and see if she is willing to order it. She included Vitamin D in the tests she ordered so I will find out if he is still deficient in that - my guess is that he is.
In the meantime, I will go ahead and order some Magnesium Glycinate and have it ready to start after the blood draw is done.
It feels good to have a plan!
Thanks so much!
I will ask the doctor about the RBC magnesium test and see if she is willing to order it. She included Vitamin D in the tests she ordered so I will find out if he is still deficient in that - my guess is that he is.
In the meantime, I will go ahead and order some Magnesium Glycinate and have it ready to start after the blood draw is done.
It feels good to have a plan!
Thanks so much!