Ileostomy causing magnesium deficiency - seeking advice

Hi all,

I've had an ileostomy now for nearly two years and because of high output, I have an ongoing problem with low magnesium! I spent last year, once a week every week at the hospital having a day-long magnesium infusion which was starting to play with my head, slowly bringing down my mental state! For the first part of this year, it seemed to settle but in June I suffered a blockage and since then, I'm back to having regular infusions! Anyone had this problem and any advice from you knowledgeable people, the advice on here is so helpful! Thanks!

Hello - I have had the same issues and my indicators have been involuntary and painful muscle cramping (like when one dives into a pool and gets "the bends" say in your toes) but in my legs and fingers locking up. At times it's as if I'm having the most extreme charlie horse cramp with stabbing pain. This is when I know my levels have dropped and an infusion is imminent. To combat this, I take a magnesium gluconate supplement - usually 2 in the am and 2 in the pm, 500mg each, and my symptoms seem to dissipate unless there are other extreme circumstances that pose the onset of a deficiency. These can be purchased OTC or, like me, I order in bulk right from the pharmacy a large quantity bottle simply for cost savings. As always, seek the advice of your prescribing physician. Hope this helps.

K

Hi kstyle, thanks for your quick reply! I have been taking magnesium tablets. I was taking four daily, but then my consultant told me not to take so many as magnesium going into the stomach causes the output to be higher. So, I cut them to two daily, but it's not making any difference! I also use magnesium flakes in a foot bath nightly as this is supposed to be better going in through the skin (transdermal) than into the stomach. For all I know, it might be making a difference. Maybe my magnesium levels would drop even quicker if I wasn't trying these things! I had a terrible day yesterday, as you say, muscle cramps, terrible exhaustion, and I also get heart palpitations. When I get them, I know I'm on the slippery slope! At the moment, I'm getting two weeks out of every infusion. The days at the hospital are so long. I'm there at 9am, and most times I'm not leaving till 11pm! Starting to pull me down mentally again. I'm 71 and getting on. The ileostomy I can cope with, but not the constant deficiency!  What a moan I am, lol! nbspThanks for your kind reply. Good to know I'm not the only one on the planet with these problems! I'm in Scotland, but one of my favorite places is New York. Love it!

They make ionic magnesium, sometimes called angstrom (sp?) magnesium. It gets absorbed under your tongue and bypasses the G.I. tract.

I take it and it helps me with cramps and such.

I found supplements not to work for me with having an ileostomy. The lower intestines (which absorb supplements) were removed. I have all you described...extreme muscle spasms & finger locking. I drink a full glass of good old-fashioned water as soon as it starts, which helps tremendously, and I make sure I am eating more foods enriched with magnesium, which are absorbed in the stomach quicker, mainly & upper intestines. Less expensive & a more natural option than supplements. It works for me.

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Hi Marilyn and Kstyle,

I too have the same issue with low magnesium. I tried the supplements, but they weren't that great as they gave me more than I bargained for. I asked my GP as I was also having those painful cramps in my hands and calves. He recommended that I try the Magnesium spray. So far, it has been working and the issue with my ileostomy in my output being watery has stopped. Hope this helps.

Charleston guy

Thanks! I will look into that as well!

K

Hi Charleston guy,

Thanks for the input to help with the output, lol! I will try that too. Is there a particular spray you use, and do you spray under the tongue?

Hi Marilyn and Krystle,

It's Mg 12 spray. I got it from my local pharmacy.

I just apply it to the underside of my wrists or just behind my knees. It's an oil spray that I rub in after I spray it.

Charleston guy

Hi kstyle,

Can I ask if you know what your magnesium level is in your blood? My results are showing consistently low, around the 0.55 level. What I'm wondering is if any of the supplements in any form are likely to help at that low level! My consultant seems to think only IV is the answer! Thanks!

Thank you Bellily, I will try this!

Marilyn, sorry to hear the problem with Mag. I have a colostomy and also suffer from low mag due to high output. I too have done the infusions on a regular basis. Are you taking MagOx daily? Because of high output causing dehydration, I have kidney damage. My kidney specialist was the one who put me on MagOx and manages my labs to ensure I stay within range. There is also a mag injection that lasts for about a month. If you do not have someone monitoring this regularly, ask your doctor to start checking this. I have not had an infusion since April, so something is working well.

Hi Amusement, I too have kidney issues due to extreme hydration and my kidney specialist is kind of crazy about any supplements. Where do you get the MagOx that you mentioned?? It sounds like something that would help me. Hope you are continuing to do well. Vicki in Yucaipa 

Hi, how do you really know that's what it is? Mag is important!! I must say I have had the pills in my bag! Anyone else have this issue? I'm trying to figure out liquid vitamins because I took gummies and was told by a couple people here, not my doctor. Well, I guess we have to figure it all out! I know I gained too much weight and now I'm doing smoothies, and it's bothering me to eat solid stuff. Thanks for everything and everyone in this group!

Hi NewLife-

In answer to your question "How do I know..."?

I have bloodwork done every other week - my Dr monitors everything - that is how I know.

Always check with a Dr that you trust.

K