Magnesium

[Suzan62]

Think I might need a magnesium supplement as I get odd cramps sometimes in my feet and what feels like an irregular heartbeat, although my doctor this week after various checks said my heart is fine. I eat healthily, lots of fruit and veg but can anyone suggest which magnesium supplement I should try and what mg. I should take?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Just look and see what your pharmacy has on offer. They tell you the dose - and don't be tempted to try extra as you will find out how the body deals with excess magnesium!!! It has an excellent laxative effect. Personally, we buy the cheapest we find in the supermarket providing we like the taste - they vary and here they are all soluble effervescent tablets so you get the taste!

Of course it all depends on what the checks were but if they didn't happen to be listening in at the moment you had an episode then they won't necessarily have seen an arrythmia happening. I had one recently (known history) but by the time I was on the ECG machine in A&E it was back to perfect sinus rhythm!! Which is why usually I don't bother...

[Suzan62 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi there, thanks for the advice. Doc checked my pulse, heartbeat and blood pressure and all were normal. I was just having a fluttering sensation and actually at the time I was in the doctors but he said he couldn't detect anything. I just thought afterwards maybe it's something to do with my magnesium levels so I've been eating more magnesium rich foods and it seems ok now. I'll pick up some low dose tablets just in case I don't always get enough from my diet. Cheers.

[Insight329]

Hi, Suzan62. You might want to find Llarmel's post titled Magnesium that was started 2 days ago. There are 48 replies and some might have some information that you'd like to have.

[MaryWR]

Oral magnesium is poorly absorbed and a magnesium oil spray is better as magnesium is well absorbed through the skin without the digestive system side effects. If you have been taking omeprazole, as many of us are, your magnesium will be depleted and I’m sure this will benefit you. Good luck.

[Suzan62 in reply to MaryWR]

Hi there, thanks for the advice. I was taking Omeprazole but I stopped taking it a few months ago after reading about all the nasty side effects. I've been fine without them by just having a few spoonfuls of live yoghurt each morning before my cereal and before taking the pred. Thanks Mary.

[Zebedee44]

Hello, I take Magnesium Malate which I buy in an independent health food shop. I read somewhere that there are several types of magnesium supplement for different conditions and chose this one for sleep improvement.

My GP recently suggested that the cramping feeling in my feet might be due to a deficiency and I have found the magnesium has improved it. I have also had the occasional heart flutter since on pred but have not noticed any change since taking the magnesium. I have been prescribed propanalol, a beta blocker, but it makes me very tired.

[Alfryd]

I find that lack of potassium causes cramps and heart flutters. I take a half a potassium supplement and both go away. But I think eating the potassium is a more natural solution. Try eating a banana and see if you have improvement. And drinking more water as it is dehydration with lack of potassium that causes cramps and irregular heart beats.

[Suzan62 in reply to Alfryd]

Thank you. I’m not mad on bananas but I eat lots of other stuff rich in magnesium which I think is helping. I’ll get a supplement and just take a small dose just in case I’m not getting as much as I need from my diet.

[testadura]

A nice soak in an epsom salt bath is a good way to get mag.