Lioness - I just looked at my calcium - the one I ordered by mistake. It has 1,000 mg of magnesium and only 500 of calcium! I've been taking that for a couple of months now and didn't pay much attention to it until now. I have not had a problem with diarrhea which is odd as that used to happen if I took even a little extra magnesium. I am having a serious pain issue in my back lately, and the fibromyalgia in my arm has been off the hook. Perhaps that explains why I am tolerating such a high dose.

Did you not say you have to take thyroid medication? I just got my thyroid dose increased and I was surprised to find my ongoing issue with constipation has disappeared with the higher dose. If you have a constant problem with constipation, you might want to get your thyroid checked again. My doctor said my previous dose was adequate, but when I told him how I was feeling, he told me to increase my dose. I was taking a dose of Milk of Magnesia every night to cope (on the advice of my infectious disease doctor). I don't think we have to accept constipation just because we are aging. I refuse.

I have always meant to buy the Herb Bible - you have inspired me to finally hunt it down. Thank you for mentioning it. Sounds like you and I have both been interested in herbs for a very long time. Good to meet you.

Today I decided to start taking the Moringa I bought last year and forgot to take. It has calcium in it and is good for energy (which I need). It worked! I got up and did a bunch of housework today. (I've been sort of bedridden with a lower back issue - had an MRI on Friday. I'm hoping it is NOT a compression fracture.)