Magnesium

[marycovey]

Hi everyone, I'm fairly new to the forum, have enjoyed the realisation that Im not alone. I have PAF and my cardiologist has frightened the life out of me re ablation- a common theme on here it seems. I also have vaso-spastic disorder, and take bisoprolol, ranolazene and warfarin. I am very into self help, I see that many take magnesium.. Could you please tell me in what dosage, and what it does for you as an individual?

[jennydog]

Others will give you advice about magnesium, I want to comment about ablation.

Yes, it's a scary prospect - the unknown always is BUT ablation is nothing to be frightened about. If it's the right treatment for you, then go for it. No regrets.

[BobD Volunteer]

You would soon know if you took too much Mg as you start to get the runs. Speak to your local health food shop if you want to take supplements.

As Jennydog comments ablation is a walk in the park and if it sorts your problems then it is the right choice. I would rather an ablation than root canal dentistry!

[marycovey in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob, My life at the moment is quite hectic, which doesnt help the condition, I'm just trying everything I can to keep as well as I can for as long as I can.

[paulh1 in reply to BobD]

Don't know if it's exactly a "walk in the park". There are risks and benefits in everything. You just have to weigh and understand them.

[JonathanPittsCrick]

There is usually enough magnesium in a healthy diet to keep your level up the right range but it can become depleted if you are on a strict weight loss diet or eating mainly processed food or are taking diuretic (water) tablets. You need a total of about ⅓ of a gram (330mg) per day and you should not take much more than this as a supplement.

If you are deficient in magnesium, taking a supplement may help in preventing heart arrhythmias. Vasospastic disorder and AF may both be related to hormone imbalance (especially menopause) and can settle by itself after a time so it may be worthwhile trying drug treatment for the AF to tide you over this period before going for the ablation. In many cases flecainide is very effective.

[Musetta in reply to JonathanPittsCrick]

Hi Jonathan, I take 25mg of Dithiazide for hypertension - I have a healthy appetite, and diet consists of : unprocessed food, chicken, pulses, healthy carbs, fruit and veg and of course, the occasional restaurant and social meals - daily fluid input is approximately 1500mls to 2000mls and daily fluid output is about the same as my fluid input.

In your opinion, do the above amounts of diuretics and fluids warrant magnesium supplement or is my diet sufficient?

Cheers,

Musetta

[JonathanPittsCrick in reply to Musetta]

Your Dithiazide does make it possible you could be losing magnesium (and also, more importantly, potassium - though there is plenty of this in fresh food). Probably the best solution is a simple blood test of magnesium level - if it's low, less than 0.7 mmol/L (or 1.7 mg/dL) the you could take a supplement for say 3 months and then re-check.

[Musetta in reply to JonathanPittsCrick]

Thanks so much Jonathan - as it happens, I'm seeing my GP this week so I'll speak to him re: mag blood test.

Cheers,

Musetta

[Davesgirl]

600mg of magnesium citrate and magnesium oil rubbed over the skin. If you are magnesium deficient it will hurt like hell so build up slowly. That's what we both take with no problems, however you may find you need smaller quantities. Be prepared for lots of bathroom visits if you have too much, but thats why magnesium is so safe, any excess goes right through!

It can take up to a year to build up magnesium levels in the body if you are badly deficient, and it isn't a miraculous cure all, only a small part.

Hope this helps.

[AnticoagulateNow in reply to Davesgirl]

Too much magnesium is NOT safe! It can have a life-threatening effect on folk with renal problems and unless you have had a renal test in the last 4 months which showed no abnormalities whatsoever then you are taking a wholly unnecessary chance with your health.

Ablation therapy (it may take more than one procedure) will probably cure your AF. Magnesium, in any quantity or format, will not!

[marycovey in reply to AnticoagulateNow]

That's interesting, thank you, obviously I need to do more research, an ablation is not on the cards for me in the forseeable.

[AnticoagulateNow in reply to marycovey]

Without wishing to pry on anything personal it would be interesting to know why an ablation "is not on the cards" for you Mary.

[marycovey in reply to AnticoagulateNow]

Several reasons really. The most recent being the fact that my cardiologist frightened me to death and said it was last resort for me as it carries so many risks.

[AnticoagulateNow in reply to marycovey]

Oh that's awful Mary, I'm so sorry.

I assume your cardiologist fully explained what it is about your particular medical condition that makes ablation so terribly dangerous.

[yanbart]

When I was first diagnosed with PAF, and having seen on this forum how many people recommended Magnesium, I started taking it myself along with other 'general health' pills like Garlic and Cod liver oil. A while later I saw my cardiologist who basically said to me it was a waste of time, unless I was deficient in Mg. He checked my bloods and said that my Mg level was fine and I did not need to take it. I stopped. Flecainide is the only thing that I can say has directly helped me though I still take garlic, Cod liver oil and multi-vits. I eat pretty well so I probably get all the Mg I need from my diet.

[AnticoagulateNow in reply to yanbart]

You are quite correct Yan, as do most people. But if there are folk on here deficient in any vitamins or minerals then firstly they should look at general diet before dosing up on often expensive supplements. Start eating regularly something that contains the mineral you are low on, but don't overdo it. Take only what is needed. Certainly ignore any advice - too often given on this forum - to 'overload' on supplements. Definitely not good for you!

[Sueleen13]

Hi, I too was so very frightened of having an ablation, I had suffered for many years,taking different concoctions of meds. I saw many different EPs in the hope that one of them would say something that would alleviate my fears of this procedure. Then I met Glyn Thomas in Bristol, it was a routine appointment to discuss changing meds again, but he looked me in the eye and said"why don't you just let me cure you?" he explained that he would do a cryoblation under GA etc etc...well it was now or never I guess,so I just agreed and resolved to see it through no matter what. He knew I was very nervous every to the point I have him an episode of AF! He was sure I would cancel. I didn't, I was determined. It was private so happened very fast. I'm so so glad I did because for the first time in 8 years I'm drug free! Would I have it done again? YES I would! Thank you once again Dr Glyn Thomas, you gave me quality of life again. I now realise I was one of the lucky ones to be offered this procedure.

[marycovey in reply to Sueleen13]

My cardiologist said it was a very risky procedure and there were no guarantees, if my condition gets worse they will change meds until its back under control. ??

[PeterWh in reply to marycovey]

See an EP and get their assessment. After all EPs are the specialists in this area.

[Annaelizabeth in reply to marycovey]

Please go and see an EP to discuss the procedure. He will be the one to guide you through the decision making. Do not fall at the first hurdle of being terrified by a cardiologist - if you read posts on this site, especially by Bob a volunteer who is knowledgeable and to the point, you will realise that potentially there is a lot to gain. Courage Mary!

[marycovey in reply to Annaelizabeth]

Am I right in thinking an 'EP' is the private healthcare option?

[Annaelizabeth in reply to marycovey]

No, they are both private and NHS. I suggest you go onto the AFA website and look for an EP in your area. Frequently for the NHS there is a waiting list, and what many people do, is to pay and go for a private consultation which is much faster access. Then subsequent appointments can be done through the NHS.

[Japaholic]

Agree, ablation gave me my life back. Although the procedure was not pleasant I'd have one again tomorrow if I needed. AF free for 7 months, a few minute arrhythmia in the early days but not since.

[Sueleen13]

As my EP puts it, Cardiologists are the plumbers but EP's are the electricians.

[Sueleen13]

It's not very professional for a cardiologist to "frighten the life "out of someone in this way. In my experience some people are very luck to have this procedure offered in the first instance. Not everyone is suitable, however although I was a suitable candidate it me who was reluctant and frightened myself through ignorance.

[marycovey in reply to Sueleen13]

Thats very honest, I think it is a similar scenario for me, but it is complicated. Thank you for that.

[Annaelizabeth in reply to marycovey]

Do please try not to be fearful, there are many of us who started out feeling that but through support, especially from this site, have found the courage to push through, many with very positive results. You may not be a candidate for ablation, but unless you try you will never know. Equally you may be able to be controlled with different medications as an option. By learning more and more about this condition you will gain the strength you need to cope, and hopefully, cope well.