For the past few years I have gotten terrible sleep every night. Around 9 or 10pm I would get the Jimmy Legs, and it would be downhill from there. It would be really hard to fall asleep, and then I would wake up many times and not be able to fall asleep again. Even when I was asleep it wasn’t very deep or restful.
So I finally went to the doctor and she gave me tips like not watching TV in the evening, reading books, drinking warm milk, and so on. But she closed with the offer of a prescription for Ambien. Sigh, I was disappointed that her advice really boiled down to ‘take drugs’ and I declined.
Hallelujah!
I no longer remember which magazine I found the advice that worked, but it was something silly and definitely not a scientific journal or medical magazine. It was a single sentence in a sidebar that recommended taking a Magnesium supplement before bedtime. At that point I was willing to try anything, especially when I saw that a bottle of it was $3 at Target!
I felt stupid, and kind of like I’d gotten the wool pulled over my eyes, but that night I took a magnesium pill. I fell asleep. I slept all night. I woke up refreshed.
The hell?
It must have been a coincidence, or psychosomatic, right? No! It has been working for months and months now — and recently I discovered that Dr. Google recommends adding calcium to the mix as well, and in a 2-1 ratio with the magnesium.
I tell you people, this has SAVED MY LIFE. I can SLEEP AT NIGHT. I can function again. (And with bones this strong, I’ll be in my 90s crushing cities like Godzilla.)
So here’s my sleep recipe: 1000mg Calcium and 500mg Magnesium about an hour before I want to be asleep. That’s it. Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, I suppose following this advice might kill you or just not work at all. Please talk to a real doctor before trying this.
But seriously, for me it’s like magic.
—
(Here’s the exact calcium magnesium supplement I take. It is a huge horse pill, but they’re easy to break in half if you need to. Or you can look around for other options.)
{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
this info is gonna help a LOT OF people save a lot of money and time — awesome. thanks for sharing!
that girl's latest post: Preview: Movie Monday: Baby Mama
this info is gonna help a LOT OF people save a lot of money and time — awesome. thanks for sharing!
that girl's latest post: Preview: Movie Monday: Baby Mama
Well I hope so, but who knows — maybe it only works for me! Fingers crossed…
Well I hope so, but who knows — maybe it only works for me! Fingers crossed…
Years ago my doctor recommended taking two calcium at bedtime and said it would help me sleep, and it did work! Then I got out of the habit of doing it, so thanks for the reminder! Didn't know about magnesium but I'll try it. These days I sleep well sometimes, and other times, no. way. can. I. fall. asleep. Hate it when that happens.
Kalyn's latest post: Saturday Morning Egg Muffin Melts (Kalyn Gets Creative With Leftovers)
Years ago my doctor recommended taking two calcium at bedtime and said it would help me sleep, and it did work! Then I got out of the habit of doing it, so thanks for the reminder! Didn't know about magnesium but I'll try it. These days I sleep well sometimes, and other times, no. way. can. I. fall. asleep. Hate it when that happens.
Kalyn's latest post: Saturday Morning Egg Muffin Melts (Kalyn Gets Creative With Leftovers)
I might try that. I need the calcium anyway.
One of the suggestions your doctor gave you: not watching tv before bed? That's the only way I can fall asleep.
Kathy's latest post: Housekeeping
I might try that. I need the calcium anyway.
One of the suggestions your doctor gave you: not watching tv before bed? That's the only way I can fall asleep.
Kathy's latest post: Housekeeping
I'm so glad you found an answer to your problem. Are you able to watch tv and stuff at night now too? I'm lucky that I started taking cal/mag several years ago. But did you know there are entire books out there devoted to the merits/necessity of taking magnesium? It's amazing. Vitamin D is a big one too, they're linking vitamin d deficiency now to several health problems, including MS!
Kris's latest post: Mom Central Blog Tour: Cranergy Energy Juice Drink
I'm so glad you found an answer to your problem. Are you able to watch tv and stuff at night now too? I'm lucky that I started taking cal/mag several years ago. But did you know there are entire books out there devoted to the merits/necessity of taking magnesium? It's amazing. Vitamin D is a big one too, they're linking vitamin d deficiency now to several health problems, including MS!
Kris's latest post: Mom Central Blog Tour: Cranergy Energy Juice Drink
I'm definitely going to research this. Thanks Erika!
I have stopped (gasp) watching TV late at night and I try not to get on the computer…famous last words. I have trouble staying asleep, especially if one of the girls or our dogs (#@^#@%&@) wakes me up.
Jamiehoo.com's latest post: Glimpse
I'm definitely going to research this. Thanks Erika!
I have stopped (gasp) watching TV late at night and I try not to get on the computer…famous last words. I have trouble staying asleep, especially if one of the girls or our dogs (#@^#@%&@) wakes me up.
Jamiehoo.com's latest post: Glimpse
Thanks for this tip! I'm gonna have to give this a try. I have such a hard time falling asleep most nights and this might be just the help I need.
Thanks for this tip! I'm gonna have to give this a try. I have such a hard time falling asleep most nights and this might be just the help I need.
Kris, I can definitely watch tv in bed — I can't tell you the number of times I've fallen dead asleep for the last 15 minutes of a show!
Kris, I can definitely watch tv in bed — I can't tell you the number of times I've fallen dead asleep for the last 15 minutes of a show!
For me it's the fucking cat who wakes me up. He has a full food bowl, a full water dish… I don't understand cats.
For me it's the fucking cat who wakes me up. He has a full food bowl, a full water dish… I don't understand cats.
I'm going to send this to my Mom, who is desperate for a sleep solution. Thanks!
Assertagirl's latest post: E.T. The Friday Flashback
I'm going to send this to my Mom, who is desperate for a sleep solution. Thanks!
Assertagirl's latest post: E.T. The Friday Flashback
Erika, I wish you'd asked me – I've taken cal mag for at least, oh, twelve years now and if I slack off, I know it by the way I sleep. It also REALLY helps with the leg cramps that I get and the general achey leg feeling.
I'm glad it's working!
carmen's latest post: If a camera crew was there
Erika, I wish you'd asked me – I've taken cal mag for at least, oh, twelve years now and if I slack off, I know it by the way I sleep. It also REALLY helps with the leg cramps that I get and the general achey leg feeling.
I'm glad it's working!
carmen's latest post: If a camera crew was there
I have had insomnia for as long as I can remember. I'll have to try that.
I have had insomnia for as long as I can remember. I'll have to try that.
Does it work for children too? Cause I'd sleep fine if they'd freakin' let me!
Totally kidding. I wouldn't give them this…I'll stick to crushing up some "S*mply Sl**p" in their night time beverage. :0)
AMomTwoBoys's latest post: Just Read the First Half
Does it work for children too? Cause I'd sleep fine if they'd freakin' let me!
Totally kidding. I wouldn't give them this…I'll stick to crushing up some "S*mply Sl**p" in their night time beverage. :0)
AMomTwoBoys's latest post: Just Read the First Half
AMomTwoBoys, did you know that the gummy vitamin people make a calcium supplement for kids? I'm just saying…
AMomTwoBoys, did you know that the gummy vitamin people make a calcium supplement for kids? I'm just saying…
Soaking in a warm bath with a cup of epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) right before bed helps too!
Georgetta's latest post: Weekend Herb Blogging: Rice Cooker Thyme and Swiss Scalloped Potatoes
Soaking in a warm bath with a cup of epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) right before bed helps too!
Georgetta's latest post: Weekend Herb Blogging: Rice Cooker Thyme and Swiss Scalloped Potatoes
Georgetta, Ooh, that sounds heavenly — and smart too ;)
Georgetta, Ooh, that sounds heavenly — and smart too ;)
THat's it ! Going to Target tomorrow anyway. Have just added magnesium to the list. I am a long suffering insomniac who resorts to sleep aids when I get desperate. Life has gotten stressful again and when stressed I cannot sleep. I am going to try what you suggested because I am exhausted at this point. Also passing this along to a friend. Thanks for sharing the info!
Mutha Mae's latest post: Don’t call us, we’ll call you. A vlog entry.
THat's it ! Going to Target tomorrow anyway. Have just added magnesium to the list. I am a long suffering insomniac who resorts to sleep aids when I get desperate. Life has gotten stressful again and when stressed I cannot sleep. I am going to try what you suggested because I am exhausted at this point. Also passing this along to a friend. Thanks for sharing the info!
Mutha Mae's latest post: Don’t call us, we’ll call you. A vlog entry.
I have two boys and am totally with amomoftwoboys (above); it seems like one boy or the other is always waking me in the middle of the night.
Glad this is working for you! A friend of mine took Ambien for a while and it turns out she was having sleepwalking/eating/talking episodes that she didn't recall. Creepy! And dangerous!
Kim/hormone-colored days's latest post: Matzah Mania
I have two boys and am totally with amomoftwoboys (above); it seems like one boy or the other is always waking me in the middle of the night.
Glad this is working for you! A friend of mine took Ambien for a while and it turns out she was having sleepwalking/eating/talking episodes that she didn't recall. Creepy! And dangerous!
Kim/hormone-colored days's latest post: Matzah Mania
I get the jimmy legs too, usually if I've unwittingly had caffeine sometime after 2 p.m. I'm so trying this.
Eden's latest post: Not for the squeamish
I get the jimmy legs too, usually if I've unwittingly had caffeine sometime after 2 p.m. I'm so trying this.
Eden's latest post: Not for the squeamish
I take this during the day after breakfast- maybe that is why I am tired during the day. I have had insomnia too, so I'll have to try switching this to night.
One note, make sure you do take the calcium w/ the magnesium in it. Calcium at that high of mg, can be constipating to some people- that is why the Mg. is usually already added to it. But in case someone just has the calcium, you can add the Mg. to it, if you have problems.
I take this during the day after breakfast- maybe that is why I am tired during the day. I have had insomnia too, so I'll have to try switching this to night.
One note, make sure you do take the calcium w/ the magnesium in it. Calcium at that high of mg, can be constipating to some people- that is why the Mg. is usually already added to it. But in case someone just has the calcium, you can add the Mg. to it, if you have problems.
I stumbled upon your site from somewhere, and I am SO GLAD I did. I have trouble sleep at night too (it's currently 1:13 a.m. here.) I've been needing to add a calcium supplement to my diet anyway as there is a strong family history of osteoporosis, so I am definitely going to try the Calcium & Magnesium you suggested! THANK YOU! I'll stop back by soon and let you know how it worked for me.
I stumbled upon your site from somewhere, and I am SO GLAD I did. I have trouble sleep at night too (it's currently 1:13 a.m. here.) I've been needing to add a calcium supplement to my diet anyway as there is a strong family history of osteoporosis, so I am definitely going to try the Calcium & Magnesium you suggested! THANK YOU! I'll stop back by soon and let you know how it worked for me.
Tan, I really hope it works for you. I can't wait to hear back ;)
Tan, I really hope it works for you. I can't wait to hear back ;)
Does it come in spray form for kids?
"Hey, go to bed."
*psssst*
Does it come in spray form for kids?
"Hey, go to bed."
*psssst*
Busy Mom, more like "Hey, look over there!!!" *pssst*
I think you have a marketable idea. I'd buy it.
Busy Mom, more like "Hey, look over there!!!" *pssst*
I think you have a marketable idea. I'd buy it.
I'm half asleep at the computer in the middle of the day because I can't get a single good night's sleep. I will be trying your remedy…thanks!!
Katy (aka funny girl)'s latest post: Can you spare a square?
I'm half asleep at the computer in the middle of the day because I can't get a single good night's sleep. I will be trying your remedy…thanks!!
Katy (aka funny girl)'s latest post: Can you spare a square?
what’s jimmy legs? I get very jumpy at night, hrs. after I try to go to sleep and I thought it was just cuz I freak out when it takes me 4 hrs. to go to sleep. I’m going nuts! I take calcium and magnesium, but maybe not enough?
I drink my Vitamin D in the morning ……And since I started drinking vitamin D I get more Insomnia. Does time that you drink the vitamin matter ? Should I drink the vitamin D at Night ? Thanks will appreciate any info
Erika,
Since this blog is originally dated from April 2008, can you tell us if the calcium+magnesium supplement is still working in relieving your insomnia? I’ve had insomnia for 10+ years (I usually get 5-6 hours of sleep a night and feel exhausted by afternoon) so I’d be very interested in knowing if this is still working for you.
Take care,P
Yeah, it still works great :)
Thanks for the update!
I have been fighting insomnia for about 7 months with no success. Sleeping pills don’t work for me and is driving me crazy. Sometimes a go 3 days without sleep. I will try this.
Have you also tried other brands or only this one? Is it made from magnesium citrate and calcium citrate? I was told not to buy magnesium oxide but most magnesium/calcium combinations have oxide.
How late before bed do you take it? And if you dont take it you cant sleep?
thanx
I just want to say, the calcium and magnesium may not work for everyone. Although it may still be an electrolyte problem. I already have too much of those minerals in my cells. I have a genetic problem of not making enough D3. My daughter’s problem is she doesn’t absorb enough phosphorus. She drinks nothing but diet coke. When she tried giving it up she quickly gained 65lbs. She started drinking it again and is losing the weight, which is actually swelling. So pay attention to foods you crave and foods you can’t stand to eat or drink.
{ 1 trackback }