Aa
celeste77
Hey there hope you don't mind me calling you out like this ;)
I asked you a couple questions in my IST thread and was thinking it may be easier to get in touch with you this way. Here's what I wrote:
Celeste~ I also have sinus arrhythmia and hypokalmia. I wonder if there is some sort of link between the IST and hypokalemia... So how are you doing now that you are drug free? I would LOVE to not be on medication but it was getting to the point where I needed to give it a shot. I went 2 months trying to control it on my own. I improved it tremendously but it wasn't good enough. Your list was wonderful thank you so much. I have noticed a lot of people take magnesium, do you know the significance with this?
I asked you a couple questions in my IST thread and was thinking it may be easier to get in touch with you this way. Here's what I wrote:
Celeste~ I also have sinus arrhythmia and hypokalmia. I wonder if there is some sort of link between the IST and hypokalemia... So how are you doing now that you are drug free? I would LOVE to not be on medication but it was getting to the point where I needed to give it a shot. I went 2 months trying to control it on my own. I improved it tremendously but it wasn't good enough. Your list was wonderful thank you so much. I have noticed a lot of people take magnesium, do you know the significance with this?
celeste77 you are so right on I found this which explains magnessium testing!!!! you agian are aweosme!!! some of us might get alot better becuase of your help...thank you so much! I wish you had finished med school and were my doctor....how do I go about finding a dr of pathology in my area?Testing for Magnesium levels.
The Journal of the American College of Nutrition published an article by Burton B. Silver, Ph.D., in which he makes his point very well concerning the inability of current methodology to measure magnesium levels within the body. Measuring serum magnesium is inaccurate because only 1% of the total body magnesium is found there. According to Dr. Silver, these measurements (serum levels) are of little use because they don't give an accurate status of magnesium levels needed within the body for health benefits. Accurate magnesium levels must be measured in intracellular spaces to attain true levels of magnesium that will then show superior benefits.
One concern we should all have when taking life critical minerals, is making sure the proper transit time is observed. If products do not get absorbed they will be excreted.
Back
The Journal of the American College of Nutrition published an article by Burton B. Silver, Ph.D., in which he makes his point very well concerning the inability of current methodology to measure magnesium levels within the body. Measuring serum magnesium is inaccurate because only 1% of the total body magnesium is found there. According to Dr. Silver, these measurements (serum levels) are of little use because they don't give an accurate status of magnesium levels needed within the body for health benefits. Accurate magnesium levels must be measured in intracellular spaces to attain true levels of magnesium that will then show superior benefits.
One concern we should all have when taking life critical minerals, is making sure the proper transit time is observed. If products do not get absorbed they will be excreted.
Back
You guys are really something!! I was a biochem undergrad a thousand years ago or so, and I never thought to get so much good MG and K info. Like dolfnlvr my PVCS are always After a stress period, not during.
I had no idea that MG controlled sympathetic tone like that and a deficiency could cause a dysautonia!! Where did you get that info?--its fascinating!! It really could be a key for a lot of us who suffer with this stuff.
I too did not take the MG supplement religiously but NOW I will...I thought it helped for a couple of days and then did nothing--I did not realize it took a long period of time to work.
You guys really made my evening with the info--thanks and be well!!
I had no idea that MG controlled sympathetic tone like that and a deficiency could cause a dysautonia!! Where did you get that info?--its fascinating!! It really could be a key for a lot of us who suffer with this stuff.
I too did not take the MG supplement religiously but NOW I will...I thought it helped for a couple of days and then did nothing--I did not realize it took a long period of time to work.
You guys really made my evening with the info--thanks and be well!!
Oh one more question! what is the name of the test to see if your low on potassium or magnessium the useful one! thank you!
WOW! you blow my mind everytime I read one of your posts! I value what I read from you more then my own doctor!!!! You are AWESOME!!!!! I have been so down sometimes and read your post and feel hope agian! thank you for being on this forum and sharing information! There is so much info to read above this post I was wondering if you could just put the names and does of what you take and is the brand important? Also I have bad palpitations from ovulation to the start of my period I mean all day long but the other 2 weeks im not very symptomatic, heres my question....I talked to my cardiologist about this and he said to talk to my OB about going on birth control pills to help with hormones BUT Dr Fooes (sp?) from clevland heart clinic said that she doesnt use birth control pills she uses Florinef a very low dose for two weeks and then she doubles the dose at time of ovulation till time you start period and then back to lower dose....does this make any sense to you? do you think this could help palpitations during those two weeks? What have you found to work best for palps? any feedback is greatly appreciated!!!! thank you!!!!
wow! I have been having a great deal of difficulty with my pacs and pvcs, and have sinus arrhtymia and sinus tachycardia, along with depression and panic disorder. I was absolutely shocked to read the symptoms of low magnesium!!! I had most of the ones you said!!!! I'm completely shocked anf relieved at the same time because I can't take the beta blockers for my heart because I have pretty bad and very sensitive asthma, and I tried atenlol and it flared it up badly, and it was worse for a few weeks after I stopped it!
I really don't think I take in much magnesium at all, and I know I usually have low potassium...it all makes sense now. I have anxiety, depression, panic, fatigue big time, nausea every day, a lot of muscle twitches every single day, asthma that's not doing too well, there's simply too much adrenaline in my body (cardio told me this)! I'm just glad this hasn't gone on too long without me looking into this and finding I need much more than I am obviously getting. I think I'll set up an appointment with my DR though just to see what he thinks/how much he thinks I should take everyday.
Thank you so much!!! This gives me sooo much hope that I can finally get back to normal!
I really don't think I take in much magnesium at all, and I know I usually have low potassium...it all makes sense now. I have anxiety, depression, panic, fatigue big time, nausea every day, a lot of muscle twitches every single day, asthma that's not doing too well, there's simply too much adrenaline in my body (cardio told me this)! I'm just glad this hasn't gone on too long without me looking into this and finding I need much more than I am obviously getting. I think I'll set up an appointment with my DR though just to see what he thinks/how much he thinks I should take everyday.
Thank you so much!!! This gives me sooo much hope that I can finally get back to normal!
thank you i tried magnesium a few months ago even though my blood came back with normal levels of everything..maybe i didnt take it long enough since u said 6 weeks or more. the one i have in the house is magnesium from reacted magnesium asparate is that good?..it says serving size is 2 and its 400mg so does that mean each pill is 200 mg..im 21 m and like i said my magnesium in my blood is fine if the bottle i got is good how much a day should i be taking..i honestly dont think i take in as much as you do cause i dont eat really that healthy or anything specifically
Bumping it up again. Iamloco 724 is asking for information about supplements. Thought it'd be easier to find the post I refer to in my reply if it was nearer the top.
Good Day to us all!!
Good Day to us all!!
Yeah, I was wondering about your water problems too. Seems coincidental that you went through such a stressful time and now...on the other end of it, you are feeling the PVC's/NSVT. For me, the PVC's are sometimes worst AFTER a stressful period...not so much DURING the period. Seems like my heart has a hard time adjusting to the change in adrenaline/cortisol levels. Almost like a bad side effect when coming off of some sort of medication cold turkey when you should have weaned off instead. Hope you are feeling better.
As for too much magnesium...as long as you don't take more than the recommended dosage prescribed by the supplement you will be FINE. However, if you plan to go over the (usually 3 pills/day) recommendation, you might want to consult your doctor or pharmacist to make sure you are ingesting a safe amount. All-in-all it is a pretty safe supplement, but if you have high levels of magnesium or a problem with breaking down and excreting the supplement for any reason, high levels can be harmful. Really, it is just a common sense thing.....don't take the whole bottle at once :-) But with today's mentality of "if one works well...three should cure me" you can never be too careful but to warn against overdose.
Thanks for the disclaimer on the soda though. I never really thought about that, but it makes sense!!!
Feel well.
As for too much magnesium...as long as you don't take more than the recommended dosage prescribed by the supplement you will be FINE. However, if you plan to go over the (usually 3 pills/day) recommendation, you might want to consult your doctor or pharmacist to make sure you are ingesting a safe amount. All-in-all it is a pretty safe supplement, but if you have high levels of magnesium or a problem with breaking down and excreting the supplement for any reason, high levels can be harmful. Really, it is just a common sense thing.....don't take the whole bottle at once :-) But with today's mentality of "if one works well...three should cure me" you can never be too careful but to warn against overdose.
Thanks for the disclaimer on the soda though. I never really thought about that, but it makes sense!!!
Feel well.
Wow that's crazy. I'm going to have to add up my intake of magnesium! I eat pretty darn healthy too, and knowing you only come out at 150-200 makes me wonder about my own consumption. I went on a search for pure magnesium yesterday but didn't have any luck. I'm planning on going to Vitamin Shoppe today, I know they have a HUGE selection.
You should do like a weekly newsletter for the forum lol.
Well I truly hope that your NSVT are NOT here to stay. Did the water issues ever get worked out?
You should do like a weekly newsletter for the forum lol.
Well I truly hope that your NSVT are NOT here to stay. Did the water issues ever get worked out?
sugarpea, dolfnlvr,
You guys make my day! After 6 weeks of heaven, I've had a rough patch of PVC's off and on today with a run of NSVT just a few moments ago. I'm sitting here trying to keep positive, and praying that their not back to stay ...The last cycle lastest 13 months and I'm just not ready for that again. Thanks for being here for me.
Just so you know, I do love to study, research, and share, I also love to type....so no worries ever ok? I think the 4 or so years of Pre-med in my early twenties set my stage for life. Even now, I spend an average of 20 hours per week researching. Everything to do with science, biology and the human body fascinates me.
How on earth we were put to together to run so perfectly is astounding, to say the least! (yeah, I know, we do have a few flaws....)
One of these days, someone is going to be doing research and something will just click and the treatment for arrhythmia's like IST, PVC's PAC's will be right there...in the meantime, maybe we can figure out a few of the things that help quiet ours down.. :)
Happy~~ No need to be embarrassed. I didn't think much of magnesium in the beginning when my EP/Cardio prescribed it to me. After researching and talking with him several times, I came to realize just how right he was. The thing to remember is that it takes at least 6 weeks to 3 months of daily supplementation to start seeing a consistant difference. I had some relief right away, but the arrhythmia's returned pretty quickly because I wasn't diligent every single day at first. I have been taking 450 mg's. for months now with no ill effects. The first sign that your getting to much is diarrhea for more then 2 days without other possible causes. The RDA is around 320 mg's a day for women over 30. That's pretty low though when you have arrhythmia's, any chronic condition or any kind of stress, for that matter. **Magnesium is considered "natures tranquilizer" or "anti-stress mineral". **
My EP/Cardio recommends around 450 to 500 mg's for at least 6 weeks to start. If you take a supplement, try to take plain old magnesium citrate, malate or glycinate with no other minerals like calcium in it. Liquid Magnesium is even better.
Statistically, there is a correlation between cardiovascular and cerebral mortalities and the high calcium to magnesium ratio pushed nowadays in this country which suggests that a high calcium to magnesium ratio in the diet may actually be harmful even in those without cardiovascular disorders. Calcium is needed, yes, but if we consume too much calcium, and without sufficient magnesium, the excess calcium is not utilized correctly and may actually become toxic because the body tends to hold calcium and either store it or recycle it over and over again. Magnesium is either used up or excreted and must be replenished on a daily basis.
If your worried about taking too much, one way to figure out how much you need in supplemental form is to add up the amount of magnesium mgs. you get out of your normal daily diet and subtract it from 450. I average about 150 to 200 mg's through my diet a day over all...and I eat pretty healthy.
*Another very important thing to remember: if you drink any kind of soda pop during the day, you need to subtract 36 mgs. from your daily magnesium intake for every 12 ounces you drink.
Phosphoric acid binds to magnesium and it's lost forever, literally.
Well, it's 1 a.m... time for me to say goodnight. Hope all is well! Talk to you all soon!
Dolfnlvr~Thanks for the tip! I'll be using 'copy' from now on!
Thank you so much! Yeah we are definately not pressing you, it's just that your posts are so informative and for me they put me at ease almost.
I definately think I have a magnesium deficiency. Gosh I have all the early signs of magnesium deficiency and also think I have Raynauds. Not positive but my hands and feet are always extremely cold despite the rest of my body. They are also not very sensitive to hot and cold sensations, not sure if that's a sign of raynauds or not.
Thanks again for taking the time to post. Hve a wonderful day!
I definately think I have a magnesium deficiency. Gosh I have all the early signs of magnesium deficiency and also think I have Raynauds. Not positive but my hands and feet are always extremely cold despite the rest of my body. They are also not very sensitive to hot and cold sensations, not sure if that's a sign of raynauds or not.
Thanks again for taking the time to post. Hve a wonderful day!
Very interesting post. My cardiologist suggested I try Magnesium but I am embarrassed to say I didn't give much thought to it. I was told I have GAD even though I don't feel particularly anxious so I just deal with the palps and tachyardia when they occur. Celeste, my question to you is can you get TOO much magnesium? I know that you can run into problems with too much potassium. Thanks and take care.
Thank you so much. You are right, we are not pressing you. But your information is so thorough and thought provoking, it's kind of like a soap opera...leaves us hangin' :-)
I appreciate your taking the time to do this for us.
Also, I learned a long time ago...with email...that if it's a long message I select and hit COPY first. That way...if it disappears..all I have to do is hit PASTE and it's still there. I HATE it when the computer eats your work!!!!
I appreciate your taking the time to do this for us.
Also, I learned a long time ago...with email...that if it's a long message I select and hit COPY first. That way...if it disappears..all I have to do is hit PASTE and it's still there. I HATE it when the computer eats your work!!!!
Hey you two :) I'm back to try posting once again!
I typed out a lonnnngggg post earlier today, hit the post comment button and POOF! it was gone!!
I even did a thorough spell check! I was so upset...lol. Not about posting mind you, just at the troubles I've had about once a month posting on this forum....
sugarpea~~ you know, your symptoms are just the same as mine. I swear, I thought I was reading one of my own posts on my symptoms. But I have to tell you, the symptoms I get like yours are not just from low potassium, their from hypoglycemia too. The sad part is that it all works hand in hand. Your potassium starts dropping, your blood glucose falls and your body releases adrenaline and glucagon to defend itself causing a whole onslaught of symptoms, then to top it all off your adrenals go into overdrive and flood your system with catecholamines sending a double whammy to your heart!!...I'll tell you, it's a viscious little circle ....and doctors wonder why were so hypersensitive!
I have my own beliefs when it comes to the subject of PVC's and IST... and Idiopathic postprandial syndrome (hypoglycemia without normal symtoms) is in the starting gates...but that's a whole other subject. ;)
Since it's late and I don't have alot of time (work tomorrow) to re-write the whole post again tonight,
I hope you don't mind that I make this a 2 parter... :) I know you two are not pressing me, I just feel bad that I haven't had alot of time this week to follow through on what I wanted to write about Mag and to answer your questions above...
Magnesium
Along with Potassium, Calcium, and Sodium, Magnesium is a mineral that is vital to life and health. It regulates more than 325 enzymes in the body including cell metabolism, DNA and RNA synthesis, cell growth and cell reproduction. It also plays the a major role in the electirc current in the nerves of our body, especially the ones in our heart. The most important enzyme reaction involves the creation of energy by activating ATP, the energy molecule of the body. ATP may be what the Chinese refer to as "qi", the life force.
As I once read, without magnesium there is no energy, no movement, no life. It's that simple.
The problem with magnesium deficiency is that it is rarely ever diagnosed. Doctors run the old standard Serum magnesium test that really means absolutely nothing when it comes to our hearts, brains, and nervous system. The MgRBC Magnesium test, tests the cellular and thus, the organ levels.
I've had 1 Serum test came back with low levels and 6 MgRBC tests all showing very low and low levels. It wasn't until I started using liquid Mg. that my levels started coming back up. It's been months and I'm still below normal...but, my PVC's have stopped and my IST only lasts hours instead of days now.
As far as heart function is concerned, magnesium plays some very crucial roles.
1. Magnesium exerts a sedative effect & inhibits the excitability of nerve cells throughout the central nervous system..more about this later.
2. Magnesium has an important effect on relaxation of heart muscle tissue. Without it, muscles fibers would contract and never relax.
3. Magnesium helps to transmit nerve signals.
4. Magnesium is necessary for the synthesis of protein
5. Magnesium assists enzymes in catalyzing most chemical reactions in the body and to make hundreds of enzymes work.
Low magnesium intake compromises all tissues, especially tissues of the heart, kidneys and nerves.
Early signs of magnesium deficiency include arrhythmia's, migraines, numbness, tingling, muscle twitching and cramps, vertigo, confusion, insomnia, loss of appetite, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As magnesium deficiency worsens, asthma, seizures, personality changes, blood clots, diabetes, Raynauds syndrome, severe arrhythmia's(including lethal ones), congestive heart failure, MI's, strokes and coronary spasms can occur. Magnesium deficiency is also associated with low levels of potassium (hypokalemia). People with chronic hypokalemia may have an underlying problem with magnesium deficiency and magnesium supplements may help correct the potassium deficiencies. Simply increasing dietary intake of magnesium may not be enough to restore very low magnesium levels to normal.
I'm going to leave it here for tonight. I hope your both doing well and look forward to hearing from you tomorrow!
I typed out a lonnnngggg post earlier today, hit the post comment button and POOF! it was gone!!
I even did a thorough spell check! I was so upset...lol. Not about posting mind you, just at the troubles I've had about once a month posting on this forum....
sugarpea~~ you know, your symptoms are just the same as mine. I swear, I thought I was reading one of my own posts on my symptoms. But I have to tell you, the symptoms I get like yours are not just from low potassium, their from hypoglycemia too. The sad part is that it all works hand in hand. Your potassium starts dropping, your blood glucose falls and your body releases adrenaline and glucagon to defend itself causing a whole onslaught of symptoms, then to top it all off your adrenals go into overdrive and flood your system with catecholamines sending a double whammy to your heart!!...I'll tell you, it's a viscious little circle ....and doctors wonder why were so hypersensitive!
I have my own beliefs when it comes to the subject of PVC's and IST... and Idiopathic postprandial syndrome (hypoglycemia without normal symtoms) is in the starting gates...but that's a whole other subject. ;)
Since it's late and I don't have alot of time (work tomorrow) to re-write the whole post again tonight,
I hope you don't mind that I make this a 2 parter... :) I know you two are not pressing me, I just feel bad that I haven't had alot of time this week to follow through on what I wanted to write about Mag and to answer your questions above...
Magnesium
Along with Potassium, Calcium, and Sodium, Magnesium is a mineral that is vital to life and health. It regulates more than 325 enzymes in the body including cell metabolism, DNA and RNA synthesis, cell growth and cell reproduction. It also plays the a major role in the electirc current in the nerves of our body, especially the ones in our heart. The most important enzyme reaction involves the creation of energy by activating ATP, the energy molecule of the body. ATP may be what the Chinese refer to as "qi", the life force.
As I once read, without magnesium there is no energy, no movement, no life. It's that simple.
The problem with magnesium deficiency is that it is rarely ever diagnosed. Doctors run the old standard Serum magnesium test that really means absolutely nothing when it comes to our hearts, brains, and nervous system. The MgRBC Magnesium test, tests the cellular and thus, the organ levels.
I've had 1 Serum test came back with low levels and 6 MgRBC tests all showing very low and low levels. It wasn't until I started using liquid Mg. that my levels started coming back up. It's been months and I'm still below normal...but, my PVC's have stopped and my IST only lasts hours instead of days now.
As far as heart function is concerned, magnesium plays some very crucial roles.
1. Magnesium exerts a sedative effect & inhibits the excitability of nerve cells throughout the central nervous system..more about this later.
2. Magnesium has an important effect on relaxation of heart muscle tissue. Without it, muscles fibers would contract and never relax.
3. Magnesium helps to transmit nerve signals.
4. Magnesium is necessary for the synthesis of protein
5. Magnesium assists enzymes in catalyzing most chemical reactions in the body and to make hundreds of enzymes work.
Low magnesium intake compromises all tissues, especially tissues of the heart, kidneys and nerves.
Early signs of magnesium deficiency include arrhythmia's, migraines, numbness, tingling, muscle twitching and cramps, vertigo, confusion, insomnia, loss of appetite, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As magnesium deficiency worsens, asthma, seizures, personality changes, blood clots, diabetes, Raynauds syndrome, severe arrhythmia's(including lethal ones), congestive heart failure, MI's, strokes and coronary spasms can occur. Magnesium deficiency is also associated with low levels of potassium (hypokalemia). People with chronic hypokalemia may have an underlying problem with magnesium deficiency and magnesium supplements may help correct the potassium deficiencies. Simply increasing dietary intake of magnesium may not be enough to restore very low magnesium levels to normal.
I'm going to leave it here for tonight. I hope your both doing well and look forward to hearing from you tomorrow!
WOW your knowledge is amazing. I truly thank you from the bottom of my wacky heart for taking the time to explain that to me! And I am so sorry to hear you are ill!
I'm curious to know what the dysautonomic disturbances are. I usually notice when it's too late that my potassium is low, 2.4-3.1 has been my ranges when I end up in the E.R. But the thing that REALLY freaks me out is the symptoms that come along with it. I "think" they are from the potassium, or maybe they are from the intense anxiety that comes along with all of my "spells". Aside from my heart issues, sometimes I will get this VERY weak feeling come over my body. Mainly in my arms and hands. It almost feels like I have lost control over the dexterity of my fingers and have a hard time telling that to operate. Then the dizzyness and brain fog. And then I will have a hard time navigating around when I walk. It's almost like I'm not quite in my body when I walk. May sound bizarre, but I guess that's the best way for me to explain it. In all honesty I'd rather have my heart acting up than get all the symptoms I just explained. It usually lasts for days or weeks at a time and is hard to shake. And along with it I notice a LOT of palpatations and runs of tachycardia.
I'm going to have to look into the magnesium. Heck I'll try anything at this point.
Look forward to your next post, and again I hope you get to feeling better. Sorry about all your water issues!
I'm curious to know what the dysautonomic disturbances are. I usually notice when it's too late that my potassium is low, 2.4-3.1 has been my ranges when I end up in the E.R. But the thing that REALLY freaks me out is the symptoms that come along with it. I "think" they are from the potassium, or maybe they are from the intense anxiety that comes along with all of my "spells". Aside from my heart issues, sometimes I will get this VERY weak feeling come over my body. Mainly in my arms and hands. It almost feels like I have lost control over the dexterity of my fingers and have a hard time telling that to operate. Then the dizzyness and brain fog. And then I will have a hard time navigating around when I walk. It's almost like I'm not quite in my body when I walk. May sound bizarre, but I guess that's the best way for me to explain it. In all honesty I'd rather have my heart acting up than get all the symptoms I just explained. It usually lasts for days or weeks at a time and is hard to shake. And along with it I notice a LOT of palpatations and runs of tachycardia.
I'm going to have to look into the magnesium. Heck I'll try anything at this point.
Look forward to your next post, and again I hope you get to feeling better. Sorry about all your water issues!
Hello there...thanks for the compliments! I'm happy to share whenever possible. I'm also happy to hear that I could help someone and glad that you enjoyed the post.
I would love to write some more tonight, but I'm just too tired still. I actually feel like I'm coming down with a cold, and that really stinks! I just got over a very long bout of croup. I think the stress of everything going wrong this past weekend has thrown a wrench in my immunity and I'm hoping a few good nights of sleep will get me thru this all. I'll post tomorrow for sure though.
Thanks again, this is what this forum is about...all of us helping each other in what ever way possible!
Be well!
Celeste
I would love to write some more tonight, but I'm just too tired still. I actually feel like I'm coming down with a cold, and that really stinks! I just got over a very long bout of croup. I think the stress of everything going wrong this past weekend has thrown a wrench in my immunity and I'm hoping a few good nights of sleep will get me thru this all. I'll post tomorrow for sure though.
Thanks again, this is what this forum is about...all of us helping each other in what ever way possible!
Be well!
Celeste
WOW!!! Talk about great information!!! I love it!!! Now, I mainly suffer from PVC's and Vasovagal Syncope, but the chemical biology you just described is GREAT stuff!! Please keep sharing. This is the kind of thing I'm looking for. Sometimes it's the simple things that a doctor or person doesn't think of that is the "cure" for a particular case. Not all general cases, but a particular case. There are those who take Magnesium supplements and notice a DRAMATIC decrease in symptoms...and you did a marvelous job of explaining the mechanism involved.
There is at least one person out here eagerly awaiting your next informative thread. Thank you so much!!!
There is at least one person out here eagerly awaiting your next informative thread. Thank you so much!!!
Hey :)
Your so welcome! Sorry about the not getting back to you sooner. Weekends around my house are so hectic anymore!
I had my washer go out, then my garbage disposal, and of all things, a large part of our fence snapped at the posts due to heavy rains and wind and blew down!!
When it rains it pours...and I mean that literally. The word of my weekend is water, and lots of it!! lol.
I have what is thought to be a "voltage gated ion-channel potassium deficiency". It's well known that malfunction of potassium channels can cause arrhythmia's including life-theatening arrhythmias, like long QT syndrome, thankfully, I haven't been diagnosed with that ...yet. I have my potassium checked every 2 months and have learned to recognize the warning signs.
About the IST and hypokalemia link: Absolutely!! Unfortunetly you won't find much medical literature about it though.
I have been going to see a pathologist that specializes in molecular biology and my head is reeling with everything he has shown and explained to me.
When it comes to IST and potassium, the key not only lies in the lack of potassium that helps control the excitability of the myocytes in the sinus node, but it also causes disturbances involving both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
This is hard to explain...but, maybe I can get it right..bare with me..
The contractions of the heart are controlled by chemical (electrolytes- potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride) impulses, which fire at a rate which controls the beat of the heart. The cells that create the impulses are called pacemaker cells. IST effects the Sinoatrial Node.
The sinoatrial node (SA node) is responsible for the whole heart's beat and is made up of cardiac myocyte cells which is muscle fiber. Cells in the SA node depolarize, resulting in contractions about 100 times per minute. This high rate is constantly modified by the activity of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers. Parasympathetic activation, DECREASES pacemaker rate (heartrate) by increasing K+ (potassium) and the Sympathetic activation INCREASES pacemaker rate by decreasing K+ (potassium). When you have a deficiency, this can't work right.
The Parasympathetic can't decrease the pacemaker rate because there's not enough extra K+ outflow and the Sympathetic is working away at increasing the rate because there is not sufficient K+ any way....does that make sense...lol.
The second factor is the the lack of continuous outflow or "leak" of potassium ions through ion channel-proteins into the membrane that surrounds the cells. This in turn causes the myocytes (muscle fiber) to become hyperexcitable.
So now we have hyperexcited myocytes (muscle fiber) with a parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system fighting against the already deficient amounts of potassium it needs to function properly when it comes to our heart rates...this can lead to only one thing....palpitations...namely a racing, pounding heart rate!... especially on exertion.
The icing on our hypokalemic IST cake is Hypomagnesemia.
Found in about 80% of those with hypokalemia. Moderate deficiency symptoms consist of rapid heartbeat and other cardiovascular changes and dysautonomic disturbances involving both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
If I look at all of the picture together, I would have to say theres a real possible connection...
1. IST is thought to be caused by abnormal autonomic regulation of the sinus node with excess sympathetic and reduced parasympathetic tone
2. Hypokalemia causes rapid heartrates, myocytes become hyperexcitable, excess sympathetic and reduced parasympathetic tone.
3. Hypomagnesemia causes rapid heartrate with cardiac changes and dysautonomic disturbances involving both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
I hope this isn't too long for you...I'll write you tomorrow about magnesium. There's loads of good research and info and I don't want to short change the subject, I'm just exhausted tonight and need to catch up on some much needed sleep.
Hope you don't mind. :)
Be well!
PS. I'm doing great without the meds! but more about that tomorrow
Your so welcome! Sorry about the not getting back to you sooner. Weekends around my house are so hectic anymore!
I had my washer go out, then my garbage disposal, and of all things, a large part of our fence snapped at the posts due to heavy rains and wind and blew down!!
When it rains it pours...and I mean that literally. The word of my weekend is water, and lots of it!! lol.
I have what is thought to be a "voltage gated ion-channel potassium deficiency". It's well known that malfunction of potassium channels can cause arrhythmia's including life-theatening arrhythmias, like long QT syndrome, thankfully, I haven't been diagnosed with that ...yet. I have my potassium checked every 2 months and have learned to recognize the warning signs.
About the IST and hypokalemia link: Absolutely!! Unfortunetly you won't find much medical literature about it though.
I have been going to see a pathologist that specializes in molecular biology and my head is reeling with everything he has shown and explained to me.
When it comes to IST and potassium, the key not only lies in the lack of potassium that helps control the excitability of the myocytes in the sinus node, but it also causes disturbances involving both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
This is hard to explain...but, maybe I can get it right..bare with me..
The contractions of the heart are controlled by chemical (electrolytes- potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride) impulses, which fire at a rate which controls the beat of the heart. The cells that create the impulses are called pacemaker cells. IST effects the Sinoatrial Node.
The sinoatrial node (SA node) is responsible for the whole heart's beat and is made up of cardiac myocyte cells which is muscle fiber. Cells in the SA node depolarize, resulting in contractions about 100 times per minute. This high rate is constantly modified by the activity of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers. Parasympathetic activation, DECREASES pacemaker rate (heartrate) by increasing K+ (potassium) and the Sympathetic activation INCREASES pacemaker rate by decreasing K+ (potassium). When you have a deficiency, this can't work right.
The Parasympathetic can't decrease the pacemaker rate because there's not enough extra K+ outflow and the Sympathetic is working away at increasing the rate because there is not sufficient K+ any way....does that make sense...lol.
The second factor is the the lack of continuous outflow or "leak" of potassium ions through ion channel-proteins into the membrane that surrounds the cells. This in turn causes the myocytes (muscle fiber) to become hyperexcitable.
So now we have hyperexcited myocytes (muscle fiber) with a parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system fighting against the already deficient amounts of potassium it needs to function properly when it comes to our heart rates...this can lead to only one thing....palpitations...namely a racing, pounding heart rate!... especially on exertion.
The icing on our hypokalemic IST cake is Hypomagnesemia.
Found in about 80% of those with hypokalemia. Moderate deficiency symptoms consist of rapid heartbeat and other cardiovascular changes and dysautonomic disturbances involving both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
If I look at all of the picture together, I would have to say theres a real possible connection...
1. IST is thought to be caused by abnormal autonomic regulation of the sinus node with excess sympathetic and reduced parasympathetic tone
2. Hypokalemia causes rapid heartrates, myocytes become hyperexcitable, excess sympathetic and reduced parasympathetic tone.
3. Hypomagnesemia causes rapid heartrate with cardiac changes and dysautonomic disturbances involving both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
I hope this isn't too long for you...I'll write you tomorrow about magnesium. There's loads of good research and info and I don't want to short change the subject, I'm just exhausted tonight and need to catch up on some much needed sleep.
Hope you don't mind. :)
Be well!
PS. I'm doing great without the meds! but more about that tomorrow
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