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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by denise1904 on April 1, 2005, at 11:23:50
Hi,
Well I've decided before I die I have a couple more things left to try, VNS, MST, ECT or maybe even Deep Brain Stimulation.
However, on reading this article associating depression with low levels of Magnesium, I decided to have a red blood cell test privately as they don't do it on the NHS. The results have come back as 1.50 mmol/l (2.08 – 3.0) which the doctor says is a very serious deficiency.
Is this level really low? Can SSRIs affect your magnesium levels, I was thinking that the fact that I was taking seroxat when I had the test may have affected the results. And am I just kidding myself that I'll have this injection for a few weeks and then all will be hunky dory again?
Any advice would be gratefully appreciated, I came off Seroxat about 2 weeks ago as I was starting to feel very apathetic on them so thought I'd have a drug break in the hope of kick starting them into action again. The withdrawal horrors have now gone (I think) but I'm starting to feel really really flat. I'm toying with the idea of going back on them soon but worried incase they don't work very well again and then I have to go through the whole horrible withdrawal process again.
Kind Regards.......Denise
Posted by banga on April 1, 2005, at 12:30:44
In reply to Magnesium Deficiency - Am I just kidding myself?, posted by denise1904 on April 1, 2005, at 11:23:50
From what I understand, some people say they feel some difference immediately after a magnesium injection, however I think more typically it takes some time and multiple treatments to build up the magnesium in your body. I would check in on the altrernative board to see if others have suggestions and information.
Posted by The_Resistance on April 1, 2005, at 14:43:45
In reply to Magnesium Deficiency - Am I just kidding myself?, posted by denise1904 on April 1, 2005, at 11:23:50
Magnesium is certainly very important in regulating mood.
I find that if my magnesium levels are low just taking a few mangnesium pills really calms me down, I don't think it a placebo effect.
So I think you should try and improve your magnesium levels, it might help your mood
don't use magnesium Oxide though, the body can't absorb it.
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 1, 2005, at 15:38:25
In reply to Magnesium Deficiency - Am I just kidding myself?, posted by denise1904 on April 1, 2005, at 11:23:50
> However, on reading this article associating depression with low levels of Magnesium, I decided to have a red blood cell test privately as they don't do it on the NHS. The results have come back as 1.50 mmol/l (2.08 – 3.0) which the doctor says is a very serious deficiency.
Did you have calcium and parathyroid hormone and vitamin D (two different forms) done from the same blood draw? The pattern of these, relative to one another, is very important, diagnostically. You really ought to find out *why* you are hypomagnesemic (low blood magnesium) before you set about thinking how you might remedy the problem.
First off, paroxetine (Seroxat/Paxil) has nothing to do with this finding, in all likelihood. Secondly, you can't fix it with a simple IV infusion. To properly treat this, and only if it's due to something like poor diet, you need to attend to increased magnesium intake over a period of years. No kidding. Your blood magnesium level is in constant feedback with your bone mineral stores, where the bulk of your body's magnesium ought to be. Your low blood level indicates, with near certainty, that your bone stores are low, as well. So, it takes a long time to get the bone back to health.....over a period of years.
You really need to get your doctors to figure out why you have this low magnesium level, first. *What* you do about it depends on *why* you have it.
Lar
Posted by sabre on April 1, 2005, at 16:53:41
In reply to Re: Magnesium Deficiency - Am I just kidding myself? » denise1904, posted by Larry Hoover on April 1, 2005, at 15:38:25
Hi Larry
What are possible and likely reasons for having low magnesium levels besides from low dietary intake?
Regards
sabre
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 1, 2005, at 17:00:44
In reply to Re: Magnesium Deficiency - Am I just kidding myself?, posted by sabre on April 1, 2005, at 16:53:41
> Hi Larry
> What are possible and likely reasons for having low magnesium levels besides from low dietary intake?
> Regards
> sabreAccording to Medlineplus:
Low magnesium levels may be seen with the following conditions:
Alcoholism
Chronic diarrhea
Delirium tremens
Administration of excessive insulin
Hemodialysis
Hepatic (liver) cirrhosis
Hyperaldosteronism
Hypoparathyroidism
Pancreatitis
Toxemia of pregnancy
Ulcerative colitisIn the original poster's case (with no history supplied), I'd be wanting to rule out intestinal uptake/fluid balance, and the glandular issues, right off the top.
Lar
Posted by sabre on April 1, 2005, at 17:09:59
In reply to Re: Magnesium Deficiency - Am I just kidding myself? » sabre, posted by Larry Hoover on April 1, 2005, at 17:00:44
I can see what you mean, Larry.
Would stress also chew more quickly though your stores of magnesium?
thanks
Sabre
Posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2005, at 18:05:58
In reply to Re: Magnesium Deficiency - Am I just kidding myself?, posted by sabre on April 1, 2005, at 17:09:59
What about hypothroidism? If synthroid depletes your bone and can lead to osteoporosis does it affect magnesium the same way and decrease the levels? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by denise1904 on April 2, 2005, at 12:54:11
In reply to Re: Magnesium Deficiency - Am I just kidding myself? » sabre, posted by Larry Hoover on April 1, 2005, at 17:00:44
Larry,
Thanks for your response, none of the things you have listed apply to me though and my diet is very good so I'm baffled.
Not sure if the low magnesium is a symptome of my depression or an actual cause of it and it's a bit disappointing to hear that it could take years to get my levels back up.
Denise
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 2, 2005, at 15:09:50
In reply to Re: To Larry Hoover, posted by denise1904 on April 2, 2005, at 12:54:11
> Larry,
>
> Thanks for your response, none of the things you have listed apply to me though and my diet is very good so I'm baffled.
>
> Not sure if the low magnesium is a symptome of my depression or an actual cause of it and it's a bit disappointing to hear that it could take years to get my levels back up.
>
>
> DeniseSorry, but I guess I should have said it takes years to fully treat the condition. Taking a supp or getting an IV will certainly increase blood levels, and thus improve tissue access to the mineral. What will not quickly change is bone stores, as bone is constantly being dissolved and reformed. The mineral crystal that makes up bone is called hydroxyapatite, and it's a complex of calcium and magnesium. It's the dissolving bone that provides a ready supply of magnesium for the blood, which is supplemented by diet. And it is the dissolved magnesium in blood (both from old bone and from diet) that goes to make new bone. So, low magnesium blood levels tend to indicate poor bone crystallization, poor magnesium storage, over a long term. You need to maintain adequate blood magnesium levels for a significant period of time to get everything balanced out again.
Lar
Posted by paulbwell on April 3, 2005, at 19:57:56
In reply to Magnesium Deficiency - Am I just kidding myself?, posted by denise1904 on April 1, 2005, at 11:23:50
After much reading,
I have come to believe Magnesium ASPARTATE is far superior to all others. World authority on Nutrition Dr Michael Colgan says It Is 10X better absorbed than OXIDE form-most common form found in multivitamins, because is cheaper and less bulky.
I could dig up the study if asked, but have read of a European study by psychiatrists 1990 comparing Lithium to Mag ASPARTATE, for BP/D, both showed similar effectiveness.
IN summary Mag aspartate-Mood stabilisation
-Enhances benzo effects (Potentiates Benzos effects)
-helps Blood pressure
-helps Heart palpatations -noticed myself
-natural laxative
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 5, 2005, at 0:33:02
In reply to Re: Magnesium Deficiency ASPARTATE, posted by paulbwell on April 3, 2005, at 19:57:56
> I have come to believe Magnesium ASPARTATE is far superior to all others...
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding Magnesium ASPARTATE to Psycho-Babble Alternative. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050323/msgs/479965.html
Thanks,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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