that FMS/CFS patients have a lower blood level of magnesium than "normal" people do?

What does this mean for us?  Quite simply, we may be overlooking one of the simplest ways we can help
ourselves, relieve our pain, and the stress that goes with it, by supplementing our diet with magnesium.

Magnesium can be found in grocery stores, health food stores, drug stores, department stores, almost anywhere that even a basic supply of vitamin/mineral supplements are sold. Yet, many of us don't know how critical magnesium is in relation to our physical pain and emotional suffering.

From a single search, I came up with these tidbits of information regarding FMS/CFS (in no particular order):

~~ Magnesium is an essential mineral which plays a role in many of the reactions
leading to energy production. Patients with chronic pain and fibromyalgia are often deficient in magnesium.

~~Because of its many essential contributions to body function, proper magnesium levels are essential for
optimum health.

~~Research evidence shows that depression, muscle tension, anxiety, and chronic pain are associated with a
lack of magnesium.

~~Magnesium supplementation aids relaxation and sleep.

~~Chocolate cravings are really magnesium cravings (other substances in chocolate are also beneficial). Recent research has revealed that chocolate provides nutrients hard to find elsewhere, and that these nutrients are especially relevant to women.

~~Low magnesium levels are associated with a variety of neuromuscular conditions, including fibromyalgia,
neuropathies, muscle cramping, etc. Muscles deprived of magnesium become "irritable" and therefore painful.

~~Magnesium deficiency is associated with generalized anxiety, panic attack
disorders, and depression. (Some people have responded as well to magnesium supplementation as to
antidepressants -- certainly a safer way to go!)

~~
Recent research suggests that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia
Syndrome (FMS), and Persian Gulf Syndrome (PGS) may respresent the effects of
dysfunctions involving the central and/or peripheral nervous system, neuroendocrine
system, neuromuscular system, immune system, metabolism, or sleep patterns. All share a common underlying etiology at the subcellular level: magnesium deficiency.

~~Therapy with (IV) magnesium once a week is safe and effective for relieving  neuropathic pain.

~~It is important to assess magnesium levels in all FMS patients for optimal management of their
musculoskeletal problem.

~~Low magnesium levels are associated with higher stress levels and raising magnesium levels reduces stress reactions.

~~IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT MEDICATIONS AND PSYCHO-ACTIVE HERBS: Supplemental
magnesium will alter your need for l-tryptophan, melatonin, St. John’s Wort, anti-depressants, sleep
medications, cholesterol lowering drugs, thyroid medication, insulin, diabetic drugs, anti-hypertensives,
diuretics and other medications. If you are taking any of the above please make sure to check with your
physician as you will need to monitor and reduce or eliminate these medications.