It is a shame that nutrition is so often overlooked as a topic in medical school. Aspiring doctors need to learn a lot of information, and generally there is a feeling that nutrition is not as critical as some of the other topics. But the consequence may be that health care providers don’t fully realize the importance of minerals like magnesium and what they might do for nerve pain.
Nerve Pain as an Adverse Reaction to Antibiotics:
Q. I never realized the importance of magnesium until I was hospitalized and got a dreadful Staph infection. Antibiotics stopped it, but they left me with peripheral neuropathy and loss of equilibrium. I also lost all sense of touch to my skin from the knee down, and I developed an irregular heartbeat (a-fib).
One day I read that magnesium deficiency could affect peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain or numbness). I bought some supplements and started taking them. To my surprise, I was able to feel my hand touch my legs and feet for the first time in eight years. I have continued taking magnesium and have had no more numbness in my legs and feet.
Magnesium for Nerve Pain:
A. There is relatively little research on the impact of this essential mineral for easing nerve pain due to damaged peripheral nerves. A few small studies have shown benefit (Journal of Family Practice, Aug. 2015). An animal model suggests that magnesium supplementation may reduce pain from diabetic neuropathy and restore sensation (Journal of Physiology, Nov. 1, 2010). Of course, it is quite a jump from rats to humans, so it is not proof that the mineral will ease neuropathy in other people like you. How fortunate that you benefited, however.
Hazards of Magnesium:
Too much magnesium can cause diarrhea. Anyone with reduced kidney function should avoid extra magnesium. It would be smart to discuss this supplement with your primary care provider to make sure there are no interactions with medications you might be taking.
