It appears as if there is more than one disease element at work here. The clinical depression is undoubtedly a valid diagnosis. The treatment - Interpersonal Psychotherapy and antidepressants - has been beneficial. Finding a stable antidepressant cocktail that allowed me to increase my strength has been an ongoing struggle.
The fatigue from bathing has never been significantly responsive to antidepressants or anxiolytics. It has grown consistently and persistently worse with time. The magnesium sulfate shots have caused a great improvement in this symptom.
The phenomena of low intracellular magnesium is often one of the findings in people with CFS. I consulted a specialist who deals with CFS. I apparently do not have CFS. This suggests a cause and effect that is not part of the Clinical Depression or CFS. It is possibly a third entity with it's own causes.
Let us be clear about my conclusions. I am not a doctor, I am not a biochemist. The diagnosis and treatments are prescribed by people board certified in the appropriate specialties. I'm the patient who is getting isolated and fragmented care and doing his best to perform the responsibilities of care giver.
Why is the magnesium level low? Good question. I've been tested for parasites and food allergies. Both were negative. The test for InA Candida was above the reference range. A month of treatment with Nystatin tablets had no effect on my condition. The doctor's conclusion was that the Candida is not a contributing factor.
In October of 1997 when I first started taking the magnesium sulfate shots, I was a starting on Cylert. I used the Cylert as an enhancer to the Wellbutrin and Paxil that I was taking for the depression. At the time I raised Cylert from 37.5 mg. to 56.75 mg. I developed a sexual dysfunction. I had a good deal of trouble achieving orgasm and my interest in trying was minimal.
After changing one medication variable at a time, we found that the cause of the sexual dysfunction was the Paxil. SSRI's are often implicated in sexual dysfunction. The timing of the onset had no relationship to my beginning the Paxil. At the time of the onset of sexual dysfunction I had been taking Paxil with Wellbutrin for about three months. I know this is contradictory. I originally wrote this years ago. I just don't remember clearly why, but I think getting rid of the Paxil relieved the sexual dysfunction.
A consequence of the sexual dysfunction was a mild case of Peyronie's Syndrome. Medical recommendation: Be kind to Mr. Happy. :-)
Current Medications & Nutrition Supplements
Addendum
The intracellular magnesium level is different than serum magnesium level. SmithKline Beecham billed it as WBC Magnesium. The hospital lab billed it as RBC. Another lab used X-Ray fluorescent analysis of cells scraped from under the tongue.
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