Magnesium supplements

[fartikins]

Hello - what are other peoples views on taking magnesium supplements. I have read conflicting information on this subject. I have invested in Lee Hull,s book and it states that magnesium is good for the heart as it helps to prevent calcification especially if you are on dialysis. On the other hand I have read that it is bad for the kidneys. I have some 375mg tablets ready to take but I am holding off until I have some more information. I have finally tested negative for covid after a very bad bout of it now I just have to recover. Fell off the wagon yesterday I ate a large bit of Easter egg and two bits of chocolate - the first taste since Christmas but no more now - I felt very guilty. I have an interim blood test tomorrow - Im a bit nervous in case my gfr has dropped but I will wait until the nephrologist appointment for the result. I have my friends funeral tomorrow to contend with - I really do not want to go because it reminds me of my own mortality now I have this illness. She had myeloma and had only been retired for 2 months when she was diagnosed which has been on my mind for a while now. Oh to have my health back to what it was to help with this constant uncertainty - it is a very precious thing to have. Thanks for reading.

[Dora86]

When it comes to any supplement the best advice you can get is from your Dr. Personally I don't take anything extra as I'm on a cocktail of tablets already. Don't feel guilty about the chocolate everyone has a slip, I struggle at Christmas! It sounds like you are struggling to come to terms with having CKD and I completely understand because I have been there too. Over time I realised that you have to live your life as best you can. Try not to see your friends funeral as your own mortality but as a reminder to carry on living your best life.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Check with doctor, but depending on what stage you are at, taking extra minerals such as magnesium can become toxic. I was taking magnesium for sleep and for moving my gut. And.... I began to get a very high level which is dangerous, so I had to stop. Check with your doctor to see what your levels are.medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

[whats]

I took it for restless leg syndrome and sleep before I knew I had CKD. Now I take half as much, 500 mg. My CKD numbers have improved while I'm on this dose and my blood tests don't show high levels. It definitely helps me with sleep and calmness. Good luck.

[CatOnACloud]

I would definitely see what your mag level is before taking more. I am deficient in mag, but they all cause me intense triggering of my as yet undiagnosed colitis. However, my sister loves to send me helpful things, and she sent me a magnesium lotion. I have horrible restless legs. It works! It doesn’t make me sick. Plus, it’s an excellent lotion. I noticed amz has many of these. Just—check your levels first, then periodically so you don’t end up overdoing it. The advice on the thread here is sound.

Sorry about your friend. Death always make us question our own mortality, especially when it comes too soon. I just remember that yeah, I’m sick, but I’m gonna do the best I can to create and embrace the best qualities in my life I can achieve and maintain. Quality of life. More than just a rote phrase, ya know? But it’s okay to grieve what we miss, So long as we rise again to fight the good fight eh

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Never take anything, even supplements without getting your nephrologist OK. When you have your renal labs done, they are looking not only at your eGFR, creatinine and BUN but your potassium and magnesium.When your GI doctor orders' medication to take to prepare you for the test, he has to make sure it doesn't have magnesium. A common preparation was "Mag Citrate." Not good for your kidneys! In fact it can be TOXIC!

[fartikins in reply to WYOAnne]

Thanks for your kind reply.

[nonna70]

My neph. put me on 250mg. every other day as I was having nightly leg cramps; helps a lot and is staying in range.

[Michael__S]

I don't supplement with magnesium anymore and even before I had kidney issue I would take some in the range of 40-150mg. I was using the powdered version and go 1/8 tsp at a time. Out of memory a full spoon was ~400mg and 1/8 of that was plenty effective and felt excessive to take that every day.

But I still get supplemental magnesium from my cal-mag (300/150mg) and to me it's just to ensure proper calcium absorption and use less than more. It also make the calcium supplement slightly laxative (very slightly) and I can afford to take the pill at the most convenient time.

[fartikins in reply to Michael__S]

Just to say thanks to all who replied to my magnesium query. You all provide such good information.

[drmind]

Are you magnesium deficient? My labs indicate low magnesium and ive been instructed by my nephrologist to take 500 mg each day. As I said in a previous post, the 500 mg daily really cleaned out my digestive tract too fast so I had to cut back to 250 mg daily. I'm in the low normal range now, bit I'm still instructed to continue with the magnesium. Ask your doctor. BTW there are several varieties of magnesium so ask for an explanation if you chose to take it. Best to you

[chicablue]

I asked my Nephrologist if I could take magnesium to help me sleep, and He said a great big resounding NO. Said taking it could stop my heart! This was back when I was stage 4.

[fartikins in reply to chicablue]

Wow that is a big definite there - it amazes me that there is so much contradictory evidence out there. I suppose the best thing is to try and get your magnesium from foods that are available.

[chicablue in reply to fartikins]

I wonder if his response would have been different if I had been on dialysis. Are you on dialysis?

[fartikins in reply to chicablue]

No - not yet.

[chicablue]

That's good! the longer we stay off it the better. I was on dialysis for 5 months in 1995. it tired me out. Slept all afternoon afterwards.