MAGNESIUM MAGIC

I have had double primary breast and then ovarian cancer within a 4 year period. Genetic testing normal. No risks for either and lifestyle near perfect. The cause drove me crazy, because if I couldn't figure out why this was happening, how could I prevent it from happening again. Just found out I have had a magnesium deficiency for most of my 60 years, probably since birth. Bingo!!!

Cisplatin can cause magnesium depletion in as high as 37% of patients that lasts months or years. Carboplatin can also cause this to a lesser degree. Since I had an underlying problem with it my symptoms were dramatic and the irony is that it increases your risk of recurrence!

This was not diagnosed by blood work, which is inadequate, but by symptoms and response to treatment. 40 years of insomnia and hyperacusis were cured after just two weeks of magnesium supplement, as was my long standing urinary incontinence, muscle tension, extreme weakness, multiple chemical sensitivities, asthma and anxiety. I went cold turkey off of Ambien and Xanax on the same day.

Further research indicated that low magnesium puts you at significant increased risk of all cancers, particularly breast cancer. I then found a 2004 research study out of Taiwan, which reviewed thousands of cases of Ovarian cancer and plotted them on a map, then measured the magnesium content of the local water. You guessed it, those women in the lowest magnesium areas had the highest rate of OVCA.

I currently take 10 pills every morning, but if I was told I could have only one, it would be the magnesium, above Zocor, femara, fosomax etc. etc. The magnesium gives me the best quality of life. I sleep 9 hours straight, where as before ambien gave me 3.5 hours, at most. The sandman visits regularly, I'm energetic, getting stronger, ice skating, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, where as before ( early December 08) I drove with one hand on the wheel, while holding my head up with the other; I was that tired.

Ironically, women taking calcium supplements upset their magnesium/calcium balance which should be 1:2. This leads to magnesium deficiency and it is involved in 325 cellular functions. That is why you can have multiple symptoms, many of which you and your doctor may attribute to other causes. Magnesium helps protect us from chemicals in the environment and toxins as well as free radicals build up in our systems without adequate magnesium.
Just call me Magnesium Mamma,
Sue

By bobd
Posted April 29, 2009 at 10:00 am
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I guess my point is If you do recommend Mag oxide do so with the caveat it might not be the best one so people are aware there are different types.

Your terminology Sue and research is very good, you will be a good guide for others to weed through the endless misinformation out there.

I have been helping a relative with Diabetes for a few years now and have systematically increased her Mag, Vit C, Taurine and Selenium. The Mag has stabilized her blood pressure she does not take the BP meds anymore, her insulin resistance is significantly reduced and her weight. The foot pain is almost gone as well.

Sue the Mag gel wil be a dream for you, I have been in severe pain for decades until I started applying the Natural calm gel from global light network. Just recently I tore or strained my forearm it was excruciating and as soon as I applied the gel it was total relief.

By suemac
Posted April 29, 2009 at 9:40 am
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bobd,

Welcome to this site and thanks for taking the time to share more valuable information. My doctor describes me as a textbook case of mag deficiency and I have had so many positive changes that my 19 year old daughter and 24 year old son have started taking it, based on how they've seen me improve dramatically. If I tried to talk them into taking it, they would have balked, but seeing is believing!

Because of low mag I developed metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance) and gained 20 pounds in 4 months(12/08-3/09, which is 1 year post chemo) while actively trying to lose weight! I topped out at my pregnancy weight and am finally starting to come back down now, after tremendous effort.

Also blood pressure, which had been 110/70 throughout chemo last winter sky rocketed with the low mag to 210/110 during a stress echocardiogram, including a ventricular tachycardia and triglycerides went up first time ever. Thank God my gyn/onc insisted on a cardiology consult and the echo! The man's saved my life, twice now.

Magnesium has had positive results for a number of us on this site.
Like you my naturopathic doctor was surprised that the oxide form worked better for me than either citrate or asportate, but we all react differently. I have not been able to find the malate form at local health stores.

Plan on starting mag. glycinate (order on line), which affects bowels less and is 5 times more absorbable, once I run out. Am working with an organization that has the doc who developed the glycemic index on it's board, which is meaningfully ironic, since I'm dealing with those issues now.

Had rotator cuff repair last week and went off all meds the week before. Started having irregular heartbeats after 10 days off magnesium. Was on a pain pump and read online that the med depletes magnesium. That was it for me, turned off pump and took it out the next day. I don't ever want to experience a significant deficiency again. Did read that Zocor decreases magnesium and am having second thoughts about going back on that.

I have a friend with sarcoidosis and am going to try to reach your site and read your magnesium post.

Thanks much,
Sue

By bobd
Posted April 28, 2009 at 10:33 pm
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You can find my posts under derekk in the sarcoidosis board in inspire. I lost my login info for that name. Where I outline the proper use of magnesium.

Magnesium(never magnesium oxide and no calcium)

Magnesium is a key. Magnesium originally was called "Calm" by lots of older journals and records.

I am impressed that any of you had positive effects using Mag oxide it usually is just a laxative and has little to no half life in the system gastro or cellular.
Almost all magnesium in the popular drug and health stores in North america are oxide . Because its cheap and if its not oxide it will be combined with calcium at 2:1 calcium or higher which is again almost useless.

Magnesium is the arbitrator even in osteo or bone if calcium is dominant in amounts over Mag you will get crystalized or powdered bones. You absolutely need calcium but when Mag is the greater amount it causes dense strong bones. Like snow, if its mag dominant you have packing snow if its Cal dominant you have powdered snow.

The medical claims on organ damage of liver and kidney from mag have been proved not only to be outdated but fallacious. The amounts used and of course the type of mag used in those studies were frankly just inane.

And of course for the people here with Cancer the correlations of Cancer and calcium as a free radical are quite significant.

The cardio issues are even more directly related to calcium plaque and hypomagnesium. There are numerous references to arrhythmia and the immediate positive effects of magnesium.

I have personal history of arrhythmia that increased to a scary level with my Sarco the only thing that stopped it was magnesium.

Yes Malate is one of the best forms and 1000mg daily is a good level if in your in a later stage of a disease you can double this. Wean yourself on 200mg daily a week for a month each week increase by 200mg.

Natural Calm Magnesium gel for the cellular level, Magnesium malate for the Gastro and include b6 and b12 to help it all go smoothly.

As always people research, be critical of my posts, and all others and find what works for you, were all different you need to experience it yourself otherwise its just talk. I have no absolutes the only thing I can tell you for sure is it worked for me.

By PattyWarriorwoman
Posted April 10, 2009 at 11:35 am
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Kathleen 4

Really hope you guys can make it. Also check out Karmanos Gynecological Oncology Seminar on April 18th...should be very informative...alot of us from the group are carpooling and will be attending. If you can't make it we would love to see at our first ever One To One Breakfast Club, bring Margaret too!

Talk to you soon Patty

By Kathleen4
Posted April 10, 2009 at 11:13 am
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Hi Patty,

The timing is just not right for me to make the trek across town. I wanted to get to the nutrition talk but was in Lansing. If you remember Margaret, she and I have talked about coming across 696 for a meeting. The breakfast sounds appealing too.

Glad you shared the magnesium stuff. Will definitely look into seeing if I need more, how "my" numbers look, etc.

Take good care and hope to see you soon!

Hugs, Kathleen

By PattyWarriorwoman
Posted April 9, 2009 at 8:35 pm
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Kathleen4

That's me all right! How are you? Miss you you should consider coming to one of our meetings. Will add you as friend so we can converse so more. Great hearing from you!

This information was passed on to all the members of my group today! This is a great site..so much to learn!

Take care Pat

By Kathleen4
Posted April 9, 2009 at 7:20 pm
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Hey Patty, Are you the fearless leader starting the breakfast meetings for One to One? Remember me from the retreat....the one with the baseball cap?

Hugs, Kathleen

By Kathleen4
Posted April 9, 2009 at 7:19 pm
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Hi Suemac, I had written back after last week's ginger discussion but there are more and more folks logging on (good thing!) and I guess I need to learn how to do some other stuff here.

Question for you....can you tell me where to find the info on ginger from UofM? I tried online but couldn't find it.

Much appreciated!

Kathleen (Grosse Pointe)

By Kathleen4
Posted April 8, 2009 at 11:13 am
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Very interesting reading about magnesium. I've been taking it for at least 8 years and now I know why. (It was recommended by my nutritionist.)

One thing I think we need to consider in this equation, as we ponder our cancer diagnoses, is the environment. The "stuff" put on grass, PCBs, etc., are still found in our systems, even if they've been outlawed. And, we're still doing it to ourselves!

I hope you all have moved to organic methods of gardening...for us and the planet.

Hugs, Kathleen

By suemac
Posted April 8, 2009 at 12:20 am
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Hello Stalker!!!

I was going to mention the magnesium to you, when I read about your aches and pains, but my mind is shot, as well. Would definitely discuss with your docs. They are testing me now for fibromyalgia, which can be caused by low magnesium.

If I miss my magnesium dose, my symptoms start coming back, so I'm very sensitive to it. Am pursuing further testing. Told Dr. Weiner about the study out of Taiwan and he was amazed saying wouldn't it be something to treat ovca with IV magnesium.

I spoke with a nurse today who works for a company that only sells supplements to doctors. She told me I should be on magnesium glycenate, fibroplex which has carnitine and malic acid, along with proboulardi, a probiotic and glutamine.

I feel like a supplement gumball machine! But then again my heart was totally deconditioned according to an echocardiogram I just had, which again is the magnesium since the heart is a muscle.

I just want to get strong and become a Warrior Woman like you, before I have to fight any more battles. You may want to see Dr. Jen Green the naturopathic doc in Integrative medicine at Royal Oak Beaumont. She's advising me in the supplement department.

Have a great Easter,
Sue

By PattyWarriorwoman
Posted April 7, 2009 at 1:39 pm
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Sue

Honestly I am not stalking you! OMG what a great post! Many of the things you stated are exactly what has been happening to me! Very frustrating that after you go thru all the treatments which for me were the chemo and radiation, there is nobody around to tell you that now you need to do xy and z to rebuild the body back up. I went to see an internist against the wishes of my 2 oncs and am very glad I did! I am at the testing stage and have found that my AST SGOT is at 11..super low! So now what! I had been having pain in my liver area, so now that we know it is very low what do I do about it? Same as you my knees are shot and could not get up from a squat. My muscles and joints are in so much pain..this is what prompted the Fla move. I don't sleep most nights either. Since I am still have stomach issues from the radiation, I have been very hesitant to do anything that may upset what is already going in. However, after reading your post looks like I will need to do some further research and even take this to my internist. Thanks again for all the information! I'll bet you some of the girls in our group could also benefit from all your info as well.

Love Ya Pat

By dwm26
Posted March 3, 2009 at 7:16 am
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Does anyone know if an epson salts bath has the same digestive reaction as taking the tablets.

When I had a deficiency the dr said to take magnesium oxide 400mg 4 times a day.

By JC1945
Posted March 2, 2009 at 9:04 pm
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Met a lady in chemo today (round 3 of carbo/taxotere). She has been taking magnesium and said it helped with sleep, bone aches, and eyesight. Her onc/gyn only wants her to take it a few days here and there when her magnesium # shows low on the regular test (not the RBC Magnesium test). My gyn/onc prefers I don't take it as my regular magnesium # is good. I think I will start to take it when I finish the chemo. Judy

By suemac
Posted February 27, 2009 at 11:20 am
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Carol,

Great news about your knees. The product I heard them discussing must be the same one you picked up because I remember it had the word calm in it, something we all crave especially with this diagnosis.

Would you be so kind as to list the other ingredients on the label, a web site and manufacturer etc- because I would like to learn more about it.

Thanks,
Sue

By Carol915
Posted February 26, 2009 at 8:11 pm
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Thanks Suemac,

I shopped at Whole Foods today and purchased Natural Calm by Peter Gillham. It's raspberry-lemon flavored and mixes with hot or warm water. Now I can do that! I'll try some tonight. Thanks for the advice. Oh, yes.... I used the Epson Salts as a warm compress for my knees. WOW....I felt like the well-oiled tin man from the Wizard of Oz. Thanks.

By Angel1955
Posted February 24, 2009 at 3:40 pm
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Hi Sue,

It all sounds rather confusing. My bottle has Magnesium Oxide and Magnesium Stearate among other things.

I would stick with whatever works for you though. Let me know what you find out, I would be curious to know.

Lately, I have been just concentrating on staying upright. I have had so many problems with joint and muscle issues. It seems like I get a new pain at least once a week or so.

At least the doctor's prediction of me being in a wheelchair by the time I was 50 did not come true, and I am working real hard at not letting it come true at all!

I hope you are doing okay.

Best Regards,

Angel

By suemac
Posted February 24, 2009 at 8:59 am
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Angel,

Check about adding the vitamin B6 with your doc to help absorb the magnesium. I am very confused at this point about all the different magesium products. I started with magnesium oxide from Nature Made, for obvious reasons: Buy one get one free at Meijers. That is what I was on when my vision improved along with many other things.

But then I read that magnesium citrate is better absorbed, so switched and gave my daughter the oxide, at her request, to take to college. Guess what, my vision is blurry again this am and I'm not able to read the Centrum bottle.

I'm going to email my Naturopath, who I see in a few weeks to find out the best form of Magnesium to take. I read Magnesium Malate is best for lactic acid build up in muscles. Luckily my muscles don't hurt unless I press on them. But I want to get rid of as many toxins as possible. So this is still a work in progress for me. Maybe switching the forms periodically is the best approach, I really don't know but intend on finding out.

My opthomologist stated he has had other patients go on magnesium and report that their vision has improved. But there is no scientific proof that this is so. I felt like saying you're looking at scientific proof and should be excited that maybe you can help other patients.

He recommended Occuvite two years ago, but never mentioned magnesium. I find this perplexing.

Sue

By Angel1955
Posted February 23, 2009 at 2:54 pm
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Hi Sue,

Yes, I thought that was the next logical step, taking 250mg twice a day. I also take the 600mg Calcium every day. I have seen some women in the posts taking up to 1,000mg of Magnesium per day, but I wouldn't take that much without first consulting with my doctor.

Maybe taking it twice a day might help with the insomnia, I hope so! I didn't get any sleep last night until after 4:30 am! My husband knows about my sleeping problems and doesn't bother me, he lets me sleep in the morning, which sometimes, is the only sleep I get.

I do tend to be a very energetic person and probably just need less sleep than some, but I would like to get more than I am getting now...it is hard for me to turn my brain off at night!

I am curious, did your doctor contribute your improved sight to the Magnesium? I too have bluriness, but chalked it up tp aging. I had 20/20 vision most of my life, and only started having problems in my late 40's. Of course at 53, everything seems to be falling apart! Chemotherapy didn't help. I am convinced it has caused a lot of the ailments I now suffer, including Sciatica and weaker bones.

Thank you so much for all your help. Hopefully, I can give you some good hints one of these days!

Best Regards,

Angel

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