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Magnesium glycinate issues: Gave me Insomnia!

Hi, new to this community, but I have a few questions/comments and I'm just wondering if I am alone in my situation. Last year, I was taking magnesium glycinate (with doctor's approval), usually only 100 mg and right before bedtime. It worked great for a while, then I noticed that it wasn't quite doing the job - I would wake up after an hour or two. I tried a different brand and used a powder, so that I could take a little more than 100 mg at night. It worked not so well - the magnesium clumped very badly when I mixed it with water, and I had to stop anyway because I ended up with constipation. I gave up on magnesium until a little over a month ago. I tried magnesium glycinate again, 100 mg at night, and again, it worked very well for about 5-6 nights - I slept through the night, or fell asleep not long after waking up once. However, that was short-lived. I started to wake up after taking the magnesium (still 100 mg) - felt calm and collected, just could not sleep anymore. In desperation, after several hours, I would take Benadryl. I also tried taking the magnesium in the morning and/or the afternoon, but I just felt either calm and sleepy or way, way too energized. I gave up on the magnesium glycinate and then decided to try Magnesium citrate (Natural Vitality Calm) using the minimum recommended amount. Oh no, it gave me a throbbing headache in the morning and a little too much laxative effect, and I fell asleep for maybe an hour, then woke up anyway.
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So, am I alone here with magnesium glycinate actually giving me insomnia? I did read online that some people get energized, not relaxed when taking it, because of the glycinate. I might also be affected because it could have a reaction with GERD medicines (my only prescription med is pantoprazole.) Also, it looks like both forms of magnesium get me to sleep, but after a few nights, I go to sleep for an hour or so, then I'm wide awake!

For now, I think I will just try to get magnesium from food alone.

I have also tried melatonin (less than 1 mg) and it gave me a bad hangover during the daytime hours. Also got me to sleep, but up after a few hours anyway. 🙁

And the search for decent, good sleep continues...

  1. Hi . Welcome to the community! I am glad you found us. It sounds like magnesium might not be the solution for you. Has your doctor offered any advice beyond the magnesium? Have you ever had a sleep study to be sure you don't have something else going on? I can't take Melatonin either. It gives me horrible nightmares, though my teenagers say it works well for them when they need it. Here is an article about all kind of insomnia treatments - from medications to therapies - that might interest you: https://insomnia.sleep-disorders.net/treatment. Maybe this article can help you get a conversation going with your doctor about other alternatives. Please keep us posted and know that we are here for you whenever you need us. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member)

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