Magnesium - Cure for Epilepsy?

[RobinN]

Just wanted to reply here - I did get the liquid mag, but that's when my brain started acting up. I'm wondering if my brain over-reacted to it due to being too powerful. It was some stuff called "Mega-Mag".

Make sure you are getting enough Vit D - it is needed for magnesium to be absorbed.

You were also doing so well with the other type of magnesium you were taking. If I were you I would continue with that, and perhaps try a drop or two of the ionic to see how your body accepts it. Gradually building up from there.

[byhisgrace]

i would love all the feed back i can from those of you that have had success taking magnesium for seizures. what i need to know is:
how much are you taking daily?
what form is best?
do you split up the dosages?
how many times a day do you take it?

[forward2007]

I've used Safeway's "Select' 250 MG Magnesium and Great Earth Vitamin's 375 MG "Super Magnesium". I take one in the mourning and one at night. I've never tried Ionic Magnesium. I get loose stools with just 500 MG a day and I weigh 180 pounds. Sorry for the TMI

[alivenwell]

I have really tried to stay away from excitotoxins, artificial sweeteners and caffeine.

It's probably best to get magnesium from various healthy foods. Vitamin D can come from sunlight, but I take a 500mg calcium supplement with vitamins D and K added to it because many drugs for epilepsy cause osteoporosis.

[forward2007]

My Nutrition book from college lists the top 10 Magnesium sources as:

1) Spinach, 1 c cooked
2) Tofu (soybean curd), 1 block
3) Sesame Seeds, 1/4 c dry
4) Sunflower Seeds, 1/4 c dry
5) Black-eyed Peas, 1 c cooked
6) Garbanzo Beans, 1 c cooked
7) Shrimp, 3.5 oz boiled
Beet Greens, 1 c cooked
9) Broccoli, 1 c cooked
10) Navy Beans, 1 c cooked

[RobinN]

i would love all the feed back i can from those of you that have had success taking magnesium for seizures. what i need to know is:
how much are you taking daily?
what form is best?
do you split up the dosages?
how many times a day do you take it?

Rebecca 14 yrs old - Tonic Clonic seizures for 2 yrs.
500 mg A.M.
500 mg P.M.
Chelated Magnesium
tablet form helps with constipation issues

Robin 54 yrs old - migraines for 30 yrs eliminated
1-2 droppers / day
Ionic Magnesium (liquid) under tongue
ionic form is absorbed directly into the cells and does not go to the digestive tract so very unlikely to cause loose stools.

[alivenwell]

It looks like it's really important to use a measurement technique like the neurofeedback. That could help you decide what levels of magnesium are correct for you.

[Bernard]

It looks like it's really important to use a measurement technique like the neurofeedback. That could help you decide what levels of magnesium are correct for you.

I'm not sure that neurofeedback could be used as a diagnostic tool in that fashion. You are likely better off watching for the consistency of your stools to know when you are taking too much.

[RobinN]

It looks like it's really important to use a measurement technique like the neurofeedback. That could help you decide what levels of magnesium are correct for you.

Yes I agree with Bernard, the neurofeedback would not be able to measure magnesium levels. In fact, other than putting Rebecca and myself through many blood tests, I would know of no other way to know that we are in the upper range, other than stool consistency. However, there are other reasons for changes in stool as well, so it is something I monitor weekly rather than daily.

Also , I learned that the levels of magnesium in the blood is different than that which reaches the brain. You want a variety that the body absorbs quickly and easily. Rebecca needs the added help with constipation so she is using a tablet form. I do not, so the ionic has been perfect and successful in helping me control my migraines.
I have actually considered doing half and half for Rebecca. I would like to know that she is getting the mineral absorbed properly. I believe her intestinal tract is unhealthy, and perhaps this is one reason she has been having seizures, as the vitamins and minerals, acidity levels, blood sugar levels all are affected by this. This is one reason I don't rely solely on food to bring her the nutrients at this time.


*** I do want to add after looking at Rebecca's Elemental Analysis done by Genova Diagnostics that her magnesium and potassium are within range. However, I know, for a fact that she has benefited from 1000 mg per day.
Her zinc was low though, so I have added that in recently and read that it should not be given at the same time as the magnesium.

[Loudmouth]

is there a reason for this, as i have been taking zinc for years,it helps with my allergies by making my immune system work slightly better (along with vit c), but started taking magnesium this morning...didn't know of any interaction?

[alivenwell]

Yes I agree with Bernard, the neurofeedback would not be able to measure magnesium levels. In fact, other than putting Rebecca and myself through many blood tests, I would know of no other way to know that we are in the upper range, other than stool consistency. However, there are other reasons for changes in stool as well, so it is something I monitor weekly rather than daily.

Also , I learned that the levels of magnesium in the blood is different than that which reaches the brain. You want a variety that the body absorbs quickly and easily. Rebecca needs the added help with constipation so she is using a tablet form. I do not, so the ionic has been perfect and successful in helping me control my migraines.
I have actually considered doing half and half for Rebecca. I would like to know that she is getting the mineral absorbed properly. I believe her intestinal tract is unhealthy, and perhaps this is one reason she has been having seizures, as the vitamins and minerals, acidity levels, blood sugar levels all are affected by this. This is one reason I don't rely solely on food to bring her the nutrients at this time. *** I do want to add after looking at Rebecca's Elemental Analysis done by Genova Diagnostics that her magnesium and potassium are within range. However, I know, for a fact that she has benefited from 1000 mg per day.
Her zinc was low though, so I have added that in recently and read that it should not be given at the same time as the magnesium.

What is the general timespan for one dosage of magnesium? Does it vary according to what you eat? Is it retained by your system or is it eliminated within say a 24 hour timeframe? How much is too much?

I'd definitely go for the blood tests as Robin suggests here. I'd personally monitor my own sugar level. And I'd keep a close record of everything I ate. The weight loss group I belong to encourages us to write everything down that has been eaten. That's already one of my usual habits now. I know any illness can really throw this condition out of whack. So, any kind of close monitoring can potentially pick up any upcoming illness and act as a preventative measure. I have added more healthy food choices to my diet that contain potassium and/or magnesium. I always loved almonds and found out that their level of magnesium is exceptionally high.

I would do a lot of measurements since that would provide an exact method that works for my individual system.

I know I'm asking a lot of questions. But, Bernard's statement caught my attention. I'd be concerned about not being able to keep a consistent serum level of my usual anti-epileptic drugs.

This sounds like it's a really fine line and you have to be pretty exact, in tune with what you ate, how you feel, and a stress level (potentially measured by blood pressure), or sugar levels.

These are probably stupid questions. But, if I'm on a lower quality drug, I'd really want to do all I can to control this condition. They recently re-released the 'new' 'brand' name of Mysoline. I found it ironic that something with magnesium is practically one of the first inert ingredients now compared to a prior brand name of Mysoline. I have no idea how much they added to it. I presume the ingredients are listed from highest to lowest amounts.

RobinN, does that elemental analysis measure all elements or specific ones that are requested? I've never heard of that type of test.

[RobinN]

is there a reason for this, as i have been taking zinc for years,it helps with my allergies by making my immune system work slightly better (along with vit c), but started taking magnesium this morning...didn't know of any interaction?

It is not an interaction per se, it is more a result of the absorbtion quality.

OBJECTIVE: Both zinc (Zn) and magnesium (Mg) are widely used as nutritional supplements and the possibility was considered that Zn may interfere with the absorption of Mg, similar to previously reported results [1,2] obtained with the same dose of supplemental Zn on the absorption of calcium (Ca). METHODS: Mg absorption studies and metabolic balances of Mg and of Zn were carried out in three groups of adult males in a metabolic research unit during the intake of supplemental doses of 142 mg Zn as Zn sulfate (ZnSO4) during Ca intakes of 230, 500 and 800 mg/day. RESULTS: The Zn intake of 142 mg/day decreased the Mg balance and Mg absorption only during the 500 mg Ca intake compared to control values. However, the overall effect of the high Zn intake of the three groups combined, regardless of the Ca intake, was a highly significant decrease of Mg absorption and of the Mg balance. CONCLUSION: Zn supplements of 142 mg/day decreased Mg absorption and the Mg balance significantly during all Ca intakes for the three groups combined.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7836627

I personally have been separating the supplements during the day, by 2 hrs min.

[Loudmouth]

Thanks for that. So if I separate the doses it shouldn't be a problem.That's good to know.I'm going to the health food shop in town later this week to look for those flax seed thingy's.

[RobinN]

What is the general timespan for one dosage of magnesium? Does it vary according to what you eat? Is it retained by your system or is it eliminated within say a 24 hour timeframe? How much is too much?

I am not a chemist, and do not claim to be an expert in magnesium by any means. There are some great websites that I have linked all over CWE, so just as I did, you can go research this wonderful mineral.

I do think that the timespan would be different for each person. How well it is being absorbed, what type of magnesium is being used, size of body etc.
When you ask how much is too much... when you don't like the formation of your stool, I would think you are on the High side and can back off a bit. Magnesium is not stored in the body, and there have been no toxic side effects that I have ever read about.

I'd definitely go for the blood tests as Robin suggests here.

As I stated before though, the blood test only shows how much of the mineral you have in your blood, not how much has crossed the blood brain barrier. Your test might show that you are within range (as my daughters did) but she is being helped by taking it and more than the RDA.

These are probably stupid questions.

Not at all

But, if I'm on a lower quality drug, I'd really want to do all I can to control this condition. They recently re-released the 'new' 'brand' name of Mysoline. I found it ironic that something with magnesium is practically one of the first inert ingredients now compared to a prior brand name of Mysoline. I have no idea how much they added to it. I presume the ingredients are listed from highest to lowest amounts.

Are you saying that they are putting magnesium in the Mysoline?
If this is so do you know what type they add?

RobinN, does that elemental analysis measure all elements or specific ones that are requested? I've never heard of that type of test.[/quote]
It is what was requested by a specialist that I went to. This was at a very critical time for Rebecca, when I was having difficulty finding decent help in a timely manner. Dr Reiss was/is a dream doctor... and he tested for Toxic Elements and Nutrient Elements from:

http://www.genovadiagnostics.com/

You could contact them and see if this is a standard test or one that is individualized. He also requested hormone levels from another independent lab.

I use these test results in a lot of my research. I found from this that she is high mercury, antimony, and tin. Many doctors don't know how to read these tests, but I did find a well respected chemist, online - Andrew Cutler, that has been able to shed some light on the test results.

[alivenwell]

I am not a chemist, and do not claim to be an expert in magnesium by any means. There are some great websites that I have linked all over CWE, so just as I did, you can go research this wonderful mineral.

I do think that the timespan would be different for each person. How well it is being absorbed, what type of magnesium is being used, size of body etc.
When you ask how much is too much... when you don't like the formation of your stool, I would think you are on the High side and can back off a bit. Magnesium is not stored in the body, and there have been no toxic side effects that I have ever read about.

As I stated before though, the blood test only shows how much of the mineral you have in your blood, not how much has crossed the blood brain barrier. Your test might show that you are within range (as my daughters did) but she is being helped by taking it and more than the RDA.

Are you saying that they are putting magnesium in the Mysoline?
If this is so do you know what type they add?

RobinN, does that elemental analysis measure all elements or specific ones that are requested?  I've never heard of that type of test.

It is what was requested by a specialist that I went to. This was at a very critical time for Rebecca, when I was having difficulty finding decent help in a timely manner. Dr Reiss was/is a dream doctor... and he tested for Toxic Elements and Nutrient Elements from:

http://www.genovadiagnostics.com/

You could contact them and see if this is a standard test or one that is individualized. He also requested hormone levels from another independent lab.

I use these test results in a lot of my research. I found from this that she is high mercury, antimony, and tin. Many doctors don't know how to read these tests, but I did find a well respected chemist, online - Andrew Cutler, that has been able to shed some light on the test results.

[/quote]

The ingredients are listed in the website: 
http://www.valeant.com/mysoline/index.jspf

I don't know how much magnesium is in the chemical listed below, but I noticed they removed lactose, and rearranged some of the chemicals.  They also removed talc and arranged the chemicals with sodium in them.  If you daughter was lactose intolerant, that may have been one reason she was unable to take this drug. 

The old inert ingredients:
Microcrystalline cellulose
Lactose
Methylcellulose
Sodium Starch Glycolate
Talc
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Magnesium Stearate
Purified Water

New and improved:
Colloidal Silicon Dioxide
Docusate sodium
Magnesium Stearate
Microcrystalline cellulose
Sodium benzoate
Sodium Starch glycolate
Stearic acid

[RobinN]

this is not magnesium that is going to be beneficial to you for seizure control:

Magnesium stearate, stearic acid and calcium stearate, made by hydrogenating cottonseed or palm oil, are used throughout the supplements industry as lubricants. They are added to the raw materials in supplements so that production machinery will run at maximum speeds. These fatty substances coat every particle of the nutrients, so the particles will flow rapidly. This ensures that production schedules will meet profit targets.

[alivenwell]

this is not magnesium that is going to be beneficial to you for seizure control:

Money is the bottom line, isn't it?!

[RobinN]

Many times that is the case.
I have plans to do a chart of the different types of magnesium. I know I would have found it useful when I was first researching the mineral.

[forward2007]

a list of triggers pulled from another list:

# Low sodium level


Is it possible that feeling light headed from being in the sun a lot comes from low sodium levels? Either sweating and/or side effects of anti-epileptic drug's?

[RobinN]

Does anyone take any extra precautions to prevent seizures during hot weather?
Questions about Low sodium