Mary, Thanks for your clarification on magnesium citrate. I failed to note it in my post because my dad has never needed to use it for prolonged periods. I still have trouble thinking of constipation as a long term problem because it has never been an issue in my family (and howdy boys, no problem whatsoever with my husband!). I do realize that many, many people of all ages and conditions have constipation, but, being so "well balanced" myself (ahem) I forget. What good news about your husband's med costs! My dad gets a $15/per deal, through my mother's teacher retirement plan. Hers are $5 each, and it's just for her blood pressure. I raise a cup (no, not of magnesium) to the day when perfect meds are available (and docs are aware of them) while we still await the cure. Thanks for you kind words. Do your plants grow as well in Terrytown as my mother's do in south central Alabama? We get jungly. Deanne Charlton (CG) [log in to unmask]