Magnesium Deficiency and Fibro

Did you know that simple old mineral magnesium is essential to the functioning of almost every organ in the body? It is important in nerve signals that cause muscles to relax and contract. This is one of my major symptoms - the muscles in my legs always feel tense and I cannot relax them except in warm water. Do you have this problem? 

Researchers are now saying that magnesium deficiency may actually be involved in the development of fibromyalgia!

It’s not just anecdotal—research is catching up to what many of us with fibro have felt for years: magnesium matters. 

Studies have shown that magnesium plays a key role in regulating pain signals, calming overactive nerves, and supporting neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are often disrupted in fibromyalgia. A 2021 review even suggested that magnesium may help prevent central sensitization—the process that makes our nervous systems hypersensitive to pain. And while blood tests don’t always show a deficiency, low dietary intake has been linked to increased tender points and lower pain thresholds. 

For me, this felt like a lightbulb moment: maybe my tense muscles and restless legs weren’t just random—they were my body asking for magnesium.

How simple is it to take one magnesium tablet a day? When magnesium has been deficient for a long time it can cause restless leg syndrome, muscle weakness, muscle spasms an anxiety. I use to get restless leg syndrome and muscle spasms.

What got me interested is that I had a hair sample analysis taken by my homeopathic doctor and of all the hundreds of things they tested (and all my medical conditions) the only deficiency was magnesium.

I am off to take my magnesium supplement right now. 

Oh and just found a really great way of getting magnesium if the thought of taking more tablets is not appealing to you: Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil. It sounds really good as the most concentrated way of getting magnesium through the skin. I am going to order some right now and I will let you know how I go with it. I will continue to take my supplement as well.

More reasons to consider magnesium if you live with fibromyalgia: 

Magnesium doesn’t just help muscles relax—it also supports enzyme activity, nerve transmission, and even the regulation of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are often disrupted in fibromyalgia. 

Some studies suggest that magnesium may help reduce pain severity, ease anxiety, and improve sleep quality in people with fibro. It’s also been shown to help with brain fog by supporting clearer thinking and reducing stress responses. And because magnesium helps move lymph fluid through the body, it may even support detoxification and immune function—something many of us with chronic illness are always trying to boost.

You can Read more about magnesium including food sources and RDA here.

SOURCES:

A literature review on Magnesium and Fibromyalgia

Relation between magnesium and calcium and parameters of pain, quality of life and depression in women with fibromyalgia

Causes of magnesium deficiency.

This post is linked up at Fibro Friday No. 10. Have a look and join in too.

At the end of the day...

At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.  Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo (1907 - 1954)

Frida Kahlo was an amazing artist. In her short life she created over 50 self-portraits and many other paintings. She often used imagery in her paintings and her drawings and her diaries to describe the pain she lived in every day. Here is a little about the pain she endured and a collection of what she said about her pain.

No one really knows if Frida had fibromyalgia or not but she did suffer from chronic pain.  

She contracted polio at age 6. This caused curvature of the spine. She was in a horrific tram accident at 17. Her leg was amputated. She had a history with many surgeries and miscarriages. She lived much of her life on pethidine which is an opioid pain-relief medicine. Many of her paintings starkly portray this pain. She expressed the emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of pain in many of her self-portraits and in her words as well. Read more about Frida and her pain journey in my other article about her.

Frida in her bedroom in the 1950's

In this post, I am sharing some of Frida Kahlo's pain-related quotes, from her diary, and also some of her artwork relating to pain. 

When talking about polio she said It all began with a horrible pain in my right leg from the muscle downward. 

The pain. The pain of heartbreak, the pain of sickness, the pain of betrayal. I take this pain, I express this pain, and I change it into something positive and beautiful. In these paintings, I am free of my suffering.

I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality. 

This is how it feels to be in this broken female body. This is how it feels to be alone... This is how it feels to be me. I dare you to look...and once you look, I’m going to make sure you cannot look away.

They thought I was a Surrealist, but I wasn't. I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.

Since my subjects have always been my sensations, my states of mind and the profound reactions that life has been producing in me, I have frequently objectified all this in figures of myself, which were the most sincere and real thing that I could do in order to express what I felt inside and outside of myself.

Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, was painted by Frida Kahlo in 1940.
Image from FridaKahlo.org  She uses the imagery of a thorn necklace which is cutting into her neck.

My painting carries with it the message of pain.

I must fight with all my strength so that the little positive things that my health allows me to do might be pointed toward helping the revolution. The only real reason for living.

Frida displaying one of her self-painted body casts.
She was often confined to bed after operations and painted her own casts.
This one shows the communist symbol and a foetus 

 "Espero Alegre la Salida – y Espero no Volver jamás– Frida" which translates to "I joyfully await the exit – and I hope never to return – Frida"

This last quote was written a few days before her death. Her death certificate states that she died from a pulmonary embolism. But this quote and other information makes many people think that it was from an overdose. 

This video below, from the Frida Kahlo organization, shows many of Frida Kahlo's paintings. Most of the 30 images are her self-portraits which graphically depict her pain. She uses medical images, swords, arrows, skeletons, blood, her body laying down and internal organs frequently to depict her own personal endurance through the pain and suffering of her life.  

  

Are you looking for more information on Frida Kahlo?

You can purchase a copy of Frida Kahlo's amazing diary which is full of her artworks and handwriting. It was written in the last 10 years of her life. Find out more about it here.

Pages from Frida's diary which you can purchase here.

If, like me, you love quotes, you can purchase Pocket Frida Kahlo Wisdom which is an inspiring collection of some of her best quotes on love, life, and art. 

You can also stay on this site and read more about her life at Did Frida have Fibro?

Do you have a personal collection with Frida Kahlo? do you love her art, have you been to an art show of hers or seen a painting of hers at the art gallery or do you collect things with her image or designs? I would love to know.

Did you know about her life of pain? before you read my short article on Frida did you know about her focus on pain?

Stem Cells for Fibro: Breakthrough or Risky Promise?

Is this fibro treatment controversial—or am I behind the times?

I recently came across a stem cell treatment being promoted for fibromyalgia. It’s described as a breakthrough procedure where stem cells (the body’s cellular building blocks) are administered intravenously and subcutaneously. The whole process reportedly takes about an hour and is said to have no known negative side effects.

Sounds promising, right?

The clinic behind this treatment is called Stem Cell of America, and they’ve shared several videos of patient testimonials. One video features a mother saying, “They’re trying to stop Dr. Rada or say that he’s a terrible doctor…”—which immediately raised a red flag for me. (I’m not sure if I’ve spelled his name correctly.)

So yes, there’s controversy. And before we get too excited, I want to share what I’ve found so far—and what I’m still learning.

A Gentle Reality Check

Stem cell therapy for fibromyalgia is not currently approved by major health authorities like the FDA (U.S.) or TGA (Australia). While stem cells hold incredible potential in regenerative medicine, their use for chronic pain and autoimmune conditions like fibro remains experimental.

In fact, in 2025, the co-founders of the Stem Cell Institute of America were ordered to pay over $5 million in penalties for misleading claims. The court found that they had targeted vulnerable patients with unproven treatments and deceptive advertising. That’s not to say every clinic is unethical—but it’s a reminder to tread carefully.

What Does the Science Say?

According to the Australian Stem Cell Centre, while stem cell biology has advanced significantly, most treatments are still in the research phase. Benefits and safety are not yet clearly established for fibromyalgia, and long-term outcomes are unknown.

The Canadian Stem Cell Network and the International Society for Stem Cell Research both offer excellent resources for patients, including disease-specific guides and a downloadable Patient Handbook.

Questions to Ask Before Pursuing Stem Cell Therapy

If you’re considering overseas or private stem cell treatment, ask:

• Is the treatment approved by a national health authority?

• Are there peer-reviewed studies supporting its use for fibromyalgia?

• What are the risks, costs, and follow-up care involved?

• Is the clinic transparent about outcomes and patient selection?

• What’s the difference between autologous (your own cells) and donor stem cells?

My Personal Take

I’m not here to shame anyone seeking relief. I know what it’s like to live with relentless pain, muscle tension, and brain fog. If stem cells are part of our future, I want them to be safe, ethical, and accessible—not just another expensive promise.

For now, I’m continuing to research. I’ve found magnesium helpful for my muscle tension, and I’m exploring other gentle therapies that support my nervous system. But I’ll keep watching the stem cell space—and I’ll share what I learn.

If you’ve tried stem cell therapy for fibro, I’d love to hear your experience. Let’s keep the conversation open, curious, and grounded in care.

Watch the following video about someone who had a positive outcome with stem cells and see what you think.

 

Before you get too excited about this "new" treatment, you can read some informative articles from the Australian Stem Cell Centre

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO STEM CELLS:

• The Canadian Stem Cell Network has prepared a series of information on specific diseases and how these relate to stem cell research.

• The International Society for Stem Cell Research has prepared a Patient Handbook on Stem Cell Therapies.