Magnesium with Bartonella infection - takie it or leave it ?

Buhner writes about this in regards to manganese and lyme. He says that the bacteria is going to get the nutrient either way so it is worth supplementing so your body doesn't get depleted

Magnesium is a good supplement to take.

Even if it’s true that Lyme feeds on it - then you better supplement because you need to replace it.

Dr Rawls says not to take in his book or maybe my brain fog got it wrong I usually do

I'm not sure if there's a test for magnesium . . . But it would make sense to me, that if you aren't getting symptoms of magnesium deficiency, then you probably shouldn't take it. I was taking it for a while. It really helped at first, but then it seemed to start bothering me and I felt better after stopping it.

magnesium supplementation makes most antibiotics less efficient, i would check into that before supplementing magnesium.

I have to take it. Can't poo without it. I have Lyme and bart.

yeah, you could try to balance that. taking 2 hrs before or 6 hours after, note that schedule may be true depending on what antibiotic it is. i am not sure if its in the stomach or blood though. I am more concerned about things like rifabutin since that has a longer half life, and magnesium making them less effective.

i would first test for a deficiency to see if magnesium is needed, then check the antibiotics individually. i agree magnesium is essential, but believe its important to know if you need to take it, versus blindly taking it.

sierraDon said...
yeah, you could try to balance that. taking 2 hrs before or 6 hours after, note that schedule may be true depending on what antibiotic it is. i am not sure if its in the stomach or blood though. I am more concerned about things like rifabutin since that has a longer half life, and magnesium making them less effective.

i would first test for a deficiency to see if magnesium is needed, then check the antibiotics individually. i agree magnesium is essential, but believe its important to know if you need to take it, versus blindly taking it.

Magnesium is essential - I tested with good levels but am still taking it - there is no harm to take it .

Drug Interaction Report
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My pharmacist said no interactions with rifabutin and magnesium.
Doxy yes...

I don't know about the fluoroquinolones - as I've not taken them. BUT, it is recommended to supplement with mag when taking them.
But, if they can't be taken together...then separate by a few hours.

sierraDon said...
yeah, unfortunately those are interaction checkers are not always thorough or complete.
and with rifabutin the info is not complete either. however if you check for rifampin, same class as rifabutin, there are some magnesium interactions similar to the tetracyclines. who knows if all the magnesium supplement variation interactions are logged too.

http://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Rifadin-rifampin-1036

so, i question if the interaction with that one exists, i suspect it would since it exists for rifampin. just dont feel the need to mess with it, if it could potentially make what i am taking less effective. especially, if my levels are within normal limits.

We already know to take Rifampin/Rifabutin on empty stomach - one hour prior to meals or two hours after, I do the same for all my supplements.

So, this is what is written in your link:

"To ensure maximum absorption, take at least 1 hour prior to or 2 hours after a meal.
Concurrent antacid administration may decrease the absorption of rifampin; administer rifampin at least 1 hour before ingestion of antacids."

I dont have many of those symptoms other than twitches and fatigue, which maybe attributed to the infections themselves rather than a magnesium deficiency.

yes, i get routine blood work. initially i have done the spectracell micronutrient panel, still on the fence if i like that test or not, and get the regular magnesium blood test like what quest offers. i haven't seen this value change much, so not sure if spikes or drops.

ironically, all my vitamin/minerals/amino acids have been within normal levels after a few repeat tests, which seems odd, though I have been feelin better these days.

i do supplement with Fish Oil, Vitamin C, and Selenium but holding out on magnesium till later. I will probably add Magnesium in my 'rebuilding' phase once i am off antibiotics, unless my magnesium levels change some.

I agree, the symptoms of magnesium deficiency are pretty pronounced like vomiting, nausea, lack of appetite, etc. would be a clear sign that you are missing it too.

here is a good link from NIH that list the early and late symptoms of magnesium deficiency.
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-healthProfessional/

in my case, i dont feel the need, i have enough to take, and dont feel this one warrants anything for 'good measure' for right now.

i would just question the necessity of taking it, if Magnesium blood tests are OK, and dont have any of the magnesium deficient symptoms, and balance that with any potential conflicts with antibiotics.