Hi there,
I was just wondering if anyone takes magnesium? Does it help? I’m lucky as only had two Afib episodes in 18 months. I’m on Bisoprolol (only low dose). Wondering if magnesium was any good for Afib? I’m 45 and not sure if I want Bisoprolol forever. I’m okay on it but just thinking things through. X
Hi Julia, yes I take magnesium glycinate and have found it very helpful . I feel it is responsible for my AF episodes reducing to mainly paroxysmal from mainly persistent ( requiring cardioversions).
I have a very long chequered history with Afib and flutter and A/tachy and every medicine known to man .
Do check with your GP or pharmacist to ensure that there is no reason why you shouldn't take it . I get mine from a company called Your Supplements and they are very good t o deal with, very prompt delivery. I deal directly with them but Amazon also stock this , slightly more expensive.
Have you thought about taking Bisoprolol just as a Pill in the Pocket? I do as I can't tolerate the tiredness it causes with a daily dose. Maybe ask your doc about this.
Wow, thanks for your reply. What would happen if I weaned off Bisoprolol? How does it work as a pill in pocket? Just take if I have an episode? I’ve only ever had 2 episodes. I’m really scared of them....I’ve gone to hosp both times as I panic so much.
I weaned off Bisoprolol after my first episode of afib with cardiologists approval. I had another episode nearly 2 years later. I was put back on after going into afib after surgery the following year. Later I changed to Nebivolol. I have reduced my dose of that a little . Some people use Bisoprolol as a PIP to reduce heart rate during episodes. If your afib is vagal and your heart rate when in NSR is not high I cannot see the point of taking it all the time. It is not a rhythm control drug. I take magnesium taurate 300mg a day in 3 doses. I have had more afib episodes and this year has been the worst for frequency but I think the magnesium has made them less symptomatic. Also I used to get anxiery attacks and they have stopped completely since taking the magnesium.
If you have enough magnesium then taking supplements will do no good. However many are magnesium deficient in their cells (not so much magnesium in the food we eat these days) and blood count magnesium levels can still be fine whilst cell count poor so its difficult to know. The key thing is having the right electrolyte balance for you hearts electrical system to work properly (potassium, sodium, calcium etc), magnesium keeps the electrolyte levels balanced, but if your deficient of any electrolyte, or iron, or vitamin D, magnesium may not be able to keep the correct balance. Also if you take PPIs your body won't absorb much magnesium. Personally I think magnesium is good for me and I have reduced my PPI intake 6 fold without repercussion. You will have to try different types (not magnesium oxide) to see whats best for your particular body. It can take some time to work. I found an Epsom salts bath good (use 4 times what they recommend in a bath for 20 minutes), if you feel calmer afterwards it may be a sign that magnesium supplement will be of use. If you take too much magnesium then your likely to need the toilet regularly.
Thank you so much for this extremely thorough information. It’s much appreciated and very interesting. I enjoy a bath every evening so will give the bath salts a go. Yes, it’s all about getting the balance right. Thankfully I’ve only ever had two episodes of p-afib after too much caffeine. I’m also at the start of menopause which I have been told can cause it. I’ll have another read of your post as there is lots of information to absorb. Thanks very much.
Your at the early stages and will have so much to gain if you can find what’s causing it now as you will have a better chance to fix it and stop the AF coming back. Unfortunately this is just the tip of a very large iceberg that even the Docs don’t know all the answers. Some other self help ideas are don’t take too much sugar or alcohol, drink plenty if water ( no substitute) and eat bananas and avocado regularly and perhaps take vitamin D supplements at this time if year.
Hi Julia,
As suggested, adding Mg to your bath is a good way of increasing Mg as it is one of the key ingredients in all the natural health spas/springs.
One piece of advice though which may save you some money, don't buy expensive bath salts but order a 25kg sack of Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom salts) online, it's not expensive, less than £20, and put a cupful in your bath, it will last several months and save a lot of cash.
Hello Julia. Not sure about Bisoprolol as 'pill in pocket' purely because I know from experience that Bisoprolol has a good 4 week after life if you have been taking it for some time and then come off of it. You should halve and quarter the tablet then every other day over time when coming off otherwise you will be hyper. I am currently using 1/2 tablet 20mg of Propranolol as pill in pocket. It kicks in after 20 minutes and has the benefit of relaxing you, reducing adrenaline and for me, Ectopic beats. ( I had 2 ablation for PAF 7 years ago). I now take 300mg Magnesium Citrate by Supplement Tree via Ebay. They do not stop Ectopics but for me they reduce the physical sensation and so reduce anxiety. The Propranolol does not have the same side effects as Bisoprolol and is cheaper. Take care though because it can relax you to the point of becoming mouthy, hahaha.
Hi Julia7,
Please take a look at my story:
healthunlocked.com/afassoci...............
I have had some great success with supplements/vitamins, particularly magnesium.
Regards,
👍
I agree with Jalia. If you've had only two episodes in 18 months, maybe you could take it as a PIP. Sometimes the GPs are too quick to put you on meds, especially beta blockers. Mine put me on metoprolol upon diagnosis. Whereas I had no palpitations before, suddenly I had strong palpitations. The drug made matters much worse, and I've been on arrhythmia drugs ever since.
I take magnesium and I definitely believe it helps, not only the AFIB but has also stopped the painful night time cramps I used to suffer. It may be worth checking out Dr. Sajay Gupta's utube video on the benefits of magnesium for the heart. Well worth a watch.
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