Hello everyone, I am currently waiting for a 3rd catheter ablation and my heart is banging away like an orchestra drum relentlessly. I have just been told that my magnesium is a bit low and was advised to get some. In the past it has not been great on my digestive system. Does anyone know which type is best for af and what dose to take. Is magnesium taurate the best for af also.
Many thanks
hi I am sorry I don’t know the answer to your question but I found what you heart and it banging away like a drum really interested.
I believe I don’t have af but I get the pounding heart that thumps through my left side, chest, neck and head. It is so annoying and never calms and is worse when lie down. Feels worse when lye on left side. I may be slightly obsessed about it as it’s like you say relentless.
I was hoping you could explain more how your “drumming heart” feels but sorry again going off topic, understand if want to stick to post question.
Hope someone is along soon to actually answer your question. 👍
Thanks
Hi Fishface 101,
Many thanks for your reply.
What I have is a very rapid heart rate, atrial tachyarrythmia, which is often out of rhythm, with some atrial fibrillation thrown in for good measure! I suspect what you might be getting is ventricular ectopic beats as I had those last year before the current problems set in. I remember getting strong beats that would jump into my shoulder and neck from my chest along with the normal beats. I was worried and contacted my cardiologist who did a holter monitor ecg and confirmed they were ventricular ectopic beats which although unpleasant, are not dangerous. I suggest you try to get a holter monitor test from your cardiologist to get a definite confirmation, it will put your mind at rest at the very least. Mine finally went away of their own accord, at least for the time being.
Best of luck!
thank you for explaining, much appreciated. I had holter last year about this time but was clear. But heart wasn’t doing what it does now or as much, I will think about going back and asking again. And fingers crossed yours stay away… forever!
👍
Hi Kubus
I’m not sure which type of magnesium is best for AFib, but I know it is commonly used in heart arrhythmias. I just wanted to add that because you state that the magnesium supplements are not great on your digestive system, could you speak to your GP or cardiologist about arranging something that would help protect your stomach lining?
I hope someone comes along to give you more specific advice.
All the best.
Tos
Hi Tos 92,
Thanks for your reply and advice. I am already on Famotidine and cannot take the PPI drugs as they lower my sodium levels which are already low due to another disease.
The problem I get with magnesium is more bowel related of the over active variety - need I say more!
Best of luck.
How was your low magnesium picked up?
If it was by a blood test ordered by your GP, I suggest you discuss this issue with them.
Alternatively perhaps have a chat with a Pharmacist?
They can also give you advice about whether the magnesium may interact with your heart medications or other possible side effects.
Hi,A pharmacist may be able to advise on supplements and interactions etc - but instead of supplements do you have the option of changing your diet to include more magnesium rich foods? This would be less likely to irritate the gut.
Supplements are not all regulated in the same way as medication so you need to be mindful of what you buy - although I'd be more inclined to use a brand a pharmacist recommended.
I've always taken magnesium glycinate 400mg at night to help with sleep but magnesium taurate is as good they are not hard on the digestive system. It's never interacted with any heart drugs or warfarin for me.
I also put epsom salts in my bath about a mug full it's rich in magnesium as well
Magnesium compounds are generally very small molecules and are readily absorbed through your skin so you can add Epsom salts (readily available from pharmacies and online, if not in general shops), or the Magnesium Flakes mentioned below, to a bath and soak in it, or make up a solution and spray or wipe it on your skin.
Softer skin areas that are usually less exposed are more permeable than hands and feet which have evolved to protect us from unwanted chemicals as we go about life.
The most bioavalable form of magnesium is magnesium chloride, available as BetterYou Magnesium Flakes.
They also do a product called "Magnesium Oil", which isn't an oil at all and is just the magnesium chloride flakes dissolved in water - it's convenient, but it's cheaper to buy a bag of the flakes and make your own!
Magnesium oxide is, by comparison, about half as available to the body but should still work.
I haven't found magnesium citrate worth having - I have poor absorption and it did nothing for me - but may be "gentle" for you.
Magnesium stearate is a big molecule and is designed/used in situations where absorption isn't wanted so that's unlikely to be any use.
Here endeth my lecture on magnesium! 😂 I hope it helps and you find something that works for you.
You probably only need a tiny bit if you take it by mouth - the body's way of losing any excess is to give you the trots, so if it does it probably means you've had too much at once.
There's actually a bit of magnesium in Rennies indigestion tablets and sucking one or two of those between meals might be enough to help, as the calcium will counter the effect on your guts; but I'm not sure if it won't stop it working altogether.
Good luck!
Hello Deniseinmilden
Unfortunately I cannot use magnesium in a bath as I only have a wetroom with shower. I did try epsom salts some years ago but they caused skin irritation. I already use Better You magnesium spray - 12 sprays at a time - and it is great for twitchy legs at night, but I don't think you absorb that much of it through the skin and this was also confirmed by my gastroenterologist who has read a study of it.
The two forms I am particularly interested in are Magnesium Taurate and Magnesium Glycinate and their effects on the heart.
Many thank for your very detailed and interesting reply.
Best regards
Thank you for your reply: much appreciated. I hope you find something that does work for you: it's a pain when you need it but struggle to get it into you, isn't it.
I haven't tried magnesium taurate but found magnesium glysinate was no better for me than the citrate.
It was a bit disappointing: I thought it might be good as I've found iron bisglycinate really helpful.
I have such lousy absorption that I can eat the mag chloride with little more effect than putting it on my skin, which I find that less than ideal and also not effective enough for me. I'm definitely NOT suggesting anyone takes mag chloride - I have unusual guts - but a curious thing to note is that if I need it, it tastes really sweet and OK, but if my levels are good it tastes terrible!!
I work with animals and it's the same for them: we use this as a way of letting them take as much as they need, knowing that they won't overdose as its taste changes. Nature is clever, isn't it?!
Hello I really recommend this video which explains the difference between magnesium supplements youtube.com/watch?v=oZYXBYA...
I was recommended to take magnesium glycinate supplement for my POTS syndrome rather than magnesium oxide or citrate. However most over the counter brands are magnesium oxide (the cheapest) or magnesium citrate and often mixed with calcium or other minerals. I have finally managed to purchase a magnesium glycinate supplement now and am currently using that one.
I have only been taking it for 9 days now so it is probably too early to say but I do think I am more relaxed and sleeping a little better.
Magnesium and ppis 
Magnesium 
Magnesium deficiency 
Magnesium Taurate
