Low magnesium

hyacinth003 · ‎03-12-2010

I see a post about people choosing to take magnesium. I don't have that issue! Mine is pretty low.

I have been receiving treatment for breast cancer for over a year. They monitor your blood work a lot. I am consistently LOW in magnesium. It is important and a narrow range of normal.

I have had to come in for massive IV infusions of magnesium. I don't FEEL any different low or normal or ?????. I am receiving Kadcycla (chemo, immunotherapy), but it was going on since the beginning of treatments with different drugs. I take 2 Slow-Mag per day by doctor instructions.

He wants me to now see a nephrologist. My kidney values are normal, and my primary doctor doesn't agree!

Wondering if anyone else has experience with this and what may cause it.

Thanks,

Hyacinth

on the bay · ‎03-09-2010

@hyacinth003,

I just want to say I am so sorry you are going through all this! That is a lot to go through.

Things can get so complicated with medications, cancer and everything and so hard to know what is going on.

I know my children take magnesium and each say it has helped them with muscle pain, anxiety and feeling better. I started taking it and I don't notice any difference.

It's also so hard to keep going to different doctors, specialists for every part of our body.It gets exhausting doesn't it?! Maybe the cancer meds are preventing your absorption of magnesium?

I'd want to ask your pc what his ideas are about why you are always low in it and why he doesn't agree to go to a nephrologist?

You should be able to be comfortable asking questions and the whys of recommendations to your oncologist and primary care.

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"

Major Shopper · ‎06-21-2010

@hyacinth003 Just a few questions for you.

You said that you have been receiving treatment for Breast CA for over a year. Do you, by chance, have a Nurse Navigator who can help you with any questions you may have regarding your care? Also, do you have a comfortable rapport with your Oncologist, one where you feel at ease asking questions?

Interesting that your Primary Care physician is weighing in here. Does she/he consult with your Oncologist on a routine basis to monitor your case?

You may want to write down all of your questions and present them on your next visit to whoever is coordinating your care.

Just a thought.

Trinity11 · ‎11-16-2014

I am sorry you have had to deal with this @hyacinth003 . As a survivor, I understand.

Just a thought..how is your Type 2 diabetes? Are you still in remission? Because I had very low magnesium levels with Type 1 because of fluctuating blood sugar levels this past summer. I was told it was coming from that. Since getting my blood sugars down, I no longer need extra magnesium.

I will say a prayer for you that you start feeling better. Thinking of you..💕

BlueFinch · ‎08-31-2019

Your body has gone through lots of extreme challenges. It's not uncommon for chemotherapeutic drugs to lower magnesium levels.

Not sure why your primary would be concerned about your renal functions, if your values are normal, as it appears all of your values are being closely monitored.

Ask your primary to clarify before you see the nephrologist. Ask him what he suspects may be an issue.

Maybe your primary is on to something significant, so I would take his recommendation, but always ask why, in explanations you can easily understand. You should never walk away confused by lack of information.

Let us know what you find out. And, the best to you, as you continue your treatment.

cheriere · ‎12-01-2023

@hyacinth003 so sorry to hear everything you've been through. I only recently started taking a magnesium supplement at night because I was waking up every few hours with debilitating foot and leg cramps. I didn't mention this to my doctor when I went this past Friday, but now I wish I had.

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

@hyacinth003 --Hi there---how much longer will you be on your chemo? Normally I would side with what your onc dr says, but still for your PC dr to say what he said, would cause me to wonder about it too. A trip to see the nephrologist wouldn't be a bad thing--it's just for an opinion, right? One thing I don't like--is putting you in the middle of all this--if you have a nurse advocate that could help with this, I would called on her/him.

I went thru 5 months of chemo with breast cancer so just a drop in the bucket compared to your treatment----

I take magnesium for sleep and to help with my heart palps --seems to work for me.