Magnesium

[anonymous]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to let everyone know that due to a lot of research I have read (mostly through one CF parent on another board), I decided to start taking magnesium supplements. It is known that many of the treatments we do for CF naturally deplete the body of magnesium, and as CFers we are already low in it, so it is very important that we supplement. I was so surprised when I asked my doctor what he thought about this and he replied "oh yes, well CF people are deficient in magnesium so you most certainly can supplement." HELLO, why wouldnt he have suggested this? Its amazing that all doctors ever suggest as far as alternative or supplemental treatments are ADEKS! Hardly enough in my opinion.

Anyway, I started taking Magnesium supplements, specifically Solgar "chelated magnesium" because it doesnt contain other things as binders, and I have to say I have noticed a small difference in just my overall well being. It is of course not much, but we cf people have to be quite discerning when we are noticing an improvement....as Diane noted her pft's have risen about 3 numbers in the past year and although that is small it is DEFINITELY an important improvement.

I was wondering if anyone else takes Mg supplements, and also wanted to let others know what I have learned about it. It is a harmless supplement that anyone can take, you just have to space it appropriately with antibiotics and antacids (which is a pain) because they cancel eachother out.

Caitlin

 

[anonymous]

Also, our bodies need magnesium to absorb calcium. I know some CF'ers have problems with osteopeorsis, so i wonder if that would help.

I'm glad you posted, Caitlin, because I didn't know Magnesium cancels antibiotics and antacids! I have a big bottle of calcium/magnesium suppplements, but luckily I keep forgetting to take them! I'm not having problems with osteoperosis, so i don't really need to worry about it. I also had no idea CF causes a deficiency in Magnesium (I was taking the supplement for the calcium =-), so I'll talk to my doctor. Thanks! =-)

Jarod
22 w/cf

 

[anonymous]

Hi Caitlin,

I also take Solgar's magnesium. I guess I've been on it about a year or two. I've also noticed some positive results!!!

Tammy 43wcf

 

[anonymous]

Caitlin, What is the proper spacing of Magnesium vs antiobiotics/antacid? Thanks, Kathy

 

[anonymous]

Hi Caitlin, I must have read the same information on the same board on magnesium. I then did my own research and decided to supplement my 13 yo daughter wf. She has been on it about a month and I now give her 2 tablets in the morning and 2 in the evening. I started out with 2 day to see if they would upset her stomach. She just finished up 3 weeks on Cipro so juggling it all (as you mention they have to be spaced out) was interesting. I have not noticed a difference yet but I feel confident I will. About 2 weeks after we started she had her visit with her doctor and I mentioned the Mg. He said it was a good idea and he was going to start measuring patient's Mg levels when blood tests are done. I was glad to hear he approved and was going to take it one step further. My daughter has an excellent doctor but we always need to researching and questioning. These boards are great. Good health to you.
<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Kathy-

The proper spacing is that if you take an antibiotic/antacid you must wait 2 hours before taking Mg...and if you take Mg you must wait 4 hours before taking an antibiotic/antacid. This is different for Cipro during which you must wait 7 hours before either way! so annoying. I think the same goes for some IV antibiotics...generally during a cleanout I have not been able to stick to my Mg regimen that well just because it seems near impossible to find a time to take it, plus I dont want to risk cancelling out the effects of my IV's.

The positive results are, like I said, hard to pinpoint, and I dont see them really effecting my PFT's as much as I see them just effecting my overall energy level. Funny enough I have noticed a difference when I drink alcohol...before even if i had just one or 2 drinks i could feel the effects of it the next day, but now i never feel hungover or bad...and i just have higher energy period. I guess i have just felt more "normal" which seems correct since I have gone from deficient in mg to normal in mg!