nonna05
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posted
Hi ! what does anybody know about Mag.injections??/////cautions, helps etc.
Posts: 2563 | From Denver,CO | Registered: Aug 2011
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Keebler
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posted
- Caution: This will sting and burn by itself. When I did this it was just horrible because the prescribing doctor failed to tell me to add
B-12 to the syringe. That reduced the burn very well. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- Your doctor's advice is best followed for how often for shots. Sometimes, 2 x a week is enough.
I had to do daily for a couple of months.
I would take the combo B-12 & magnesium shots during the day.
I also need to let you know that since the magnesium shots require a long needle to go into the muscle, that shooting my thighs each day for a few months caused some real problems for the deep tissue and maybe nerves.
The "shot line" is just from the center (as a front crease of slacks) to where the outer side seam would be. And, you can't go too high or too close to the knee. So the target space, even with two thighs, is not all that much to be a pin cushion very often.
If you know someone who can give you the shot in your back hip, that can help but be very careful as I've even had some nurses hit a major nerve there.
Magnesium during the day will not make you sleepy. You can take a bit of oral magnesium before bed if you want some extra help though.
If just taking orally, magnesium needs to be at least twice, best three times a day.
Ask your doctor how often you need the shots. On other days, then, 2-3 x for oral.
-----------------
Search Google for:
"Foods high in magnesium" & also for "Magnesium Rich Foods" -
[ 12-11-2011, 02:14 AM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
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Tammy N.
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posted
Magnesium sulfate is not for me.... because I have issues with Sulphur. Same thing goes for Epsom Salts baths (which is magnesium sulfate).
Magnesium chloride (IV)is what we use for me.
Mag Sulfate is offered in injections. Mag chloride is only avail in IV. You can also get a topical spray of Mag chloride (mine is from Swanson).
[ 04-21-2012, 01:11 PM: Message edited by: Tammy N. ]
Posts: 2238 | From East Coast | Registered: Jul 2010
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posted
I also had a few months when I did these every day. Currently, I do them as needed, and my doctor recommends a minimum of once per week, but target at 2-3 times per week.
I have a lot of myoclonic jerking and shaking, so when this is getting stronger and I feel it is likely going to lead to a seizure (which I also have often), then I do an injection. This usually ends up being a few times a week -- although this week has been every day.
My doctor suggests no more than once a day for me. Also, I think I'm using more mag sulf per injection than is sometimes used -- not sure. I'm using 2.5cc of it.
Also wanted to add that they have me using procaine with the mag sulf, not B12, although that sounds like a nice option too. The procaine helps it from stinging. I use about equal parts procaine and mag sulf.
The injections help me I believe. They aren't a miracle, but sometimes they can take the edge off my shaking and help my body stabilize -- sometimes keeping me from moving into full seizure. I'm glad I have them, although I do get hard bruising in my skin with them, so prefer not to do as frequently.
Fortunately I have my husband to do them for me, so we use my hip/upper buttocks. Even there, it can become painful if I do them too often, but the nurse at my doctor's office told us to stay with that area, not to use the thigh (not sure why...something about not enough muscle there or something).
Good luck Nonna.
P.S. Hi Keebler! *hug*
Posts: 232 | From Oregon | Registered: May 2010
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Marnie
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posted
A "Meyer's Cocktail" maybe far better.
Johns Hopkins.
Google this: Meyer's cocktail Johns Hopkins
Posts: 9424 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I'm glad to see both LymeAware and Marnie's posts as they remind me how much magnesium shots - and weekly "Meyer's Cocktails" for about six months - worked to help me walk again - and to help lessen intensity and frequency of seizures.
I also tried a couple magnesium/vit. C and other ingredients a PUSH. I would not recommend a PUSH. It's too fast and, for me, it really burned. I did just a couple of these.
A PUSH is also much more condensed that a DRIP. That's another reason why a DRIP is likely kinder as it's diluted with much more liquid (saline).
I think the intern doing it was all new to this and that was part of the torture but I also think the formula was not balanced for my comfort.
The office where this was done was just too bright and busy for my senses so that also clobbered my endocrine system.
An IV drip - over an hour - is just more gentle and gives the body time to take up the nutrients.
A PUSH might be fine for some meds, some people but having a large syringe of liquid pushed into your blood vessel in just 20 minutes is, literally, a push.
The formula "caustic-ness" (I know that is not a word) and the skill of the person doing it matters greatly.
Even when not just to curtail seizures, the magnesium helped me feel stronger in some sort of neurological sense. I had not been able to really walk well for some time, so this helped me regain my gait and balance a bit.
For me, it was definitely very helpful. Since I also needed the B-12, it was easy to put in the syringe. But, the method LymeAware does sound good to decrease sting, too.
I used 1 cc mag. sulf. and 1 cc B-12 (Hydroxycobalamin).
At one time, I added 1/2 cc B-complete. Both the B's were from a compounding pharmacy and with no preservatives. Now, that is a lot of liquid to shoot into one's leg at one place. I had to use two injection sites.
I used as narrow of a needle as possible (either 25 or 27 gauge - there is a big difference in those and the thicker one of the two I used to pull the liquid out of the vials and then switched to a fresh needle for injection.
Pharmacists do not recommend that as there is a chance of contamination from the air during the switch. But my very tender nerves in my thighs could not take a needle dulled by two or three stabs through rubber vial tops.
If you use use that methods, when you switch needles, it needs to be as fast as possible, in a clean, non-windy and non-dusty environment, not even breathing on to it. -
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Keebler
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posted
That's interesting, Keebler, to hear that some don't recommend switching needles. The nurse at my doctor's office has us doing that, so I hadn't heard about that.
I've been being very careful just instinctively, but I'm glad to hear this from you, as it means I'll be a bit more clear to be aware when switching needles.
I can't remember the numbers off-hand, but I'm pretty sure we use an 18 gauge needle to draw the fluids, and then switch to a 25 gauge for the insertion.
And boy...I'm using 5cc total of fluid in one spot. No wonder my bum is sore! ha ha. Although likely the hip area can take a bit more than thigh.
All very interesting.
Posts: 232 | From Oregon | Registered: May 2010
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nonna05
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posted
The sulfate issue with Tammy...I'm allergic to sulfa thw antibiotic , but have always been told not the same thing as this and other things
Posts: 2563 | From Denver,CO | Registered: Aug 2011
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Keebler
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posted
- Methylcobalamin is a better kind of B-12 from the typical kind. You're fine with that.
Sorry, I can't reply to other questions.
With Thanks to Carol in PA for turning me on to this link, THIS is what magnesium does for us:
Studies have revealed magnesium & the amino acid taurine have some interchangeable & potentiating roles.
Magnesium helps to regulate taurine & taurine can substitute for magnesium when magnesium is deficient.
Both taurine & magnesium stabilize cell membranes, both exert sedative effects & inhibit the excitability of nerve cells throughout the central nervous system.* . . .
. . . One to two capsules can be opened under the tongue for more immediate effects with anxiety. . . . -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I am taking magnesium injections now. Dr gave me lydocaine to numb the area before injecting the magnesium. That really helps because the magnesium is really painful.
My big problem is bruising. I have bruises every place I inject this stuff. I don't get bruising with my b12 injections.
Anyone know why this is happening and how to prevent it?
Posts: 832 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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Summer3
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posted
Wow, I didn't realize magnesium was really painful. I was thinking of looking into b12/mag shots but now I don't know.
I get it each week in an IV push. I don't usually have any pain that way. Once in a while I get some burning that runs up my arm though.
Keebler
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posted
- Summer,
the shots also seemed to cause severe sensitivity in my thighs. You can only shoot the area on top center (a pants crease line) over to the side where a side trouser seam would be. And not too high up and not too close to the knee.
I often seemed to hit nerves. It was all so very painful, even with B-12 added, the needle, no matter how fine the needle (either a 25 gauge or 27 gauge - the smaller one for my thigh, the larger to draw out of the vial).
It has to go deep into the muscle.
If someone else can do this, the hip will work but I've even had nurses hit a nerve in the back of my hip.
It has taken years after stopping the shots for those target areas to recover.
I really do not recommend shots if needed more than once a week. Maybe once a week would be okay. I had to do this daily for a couple months as my magnesium was so very low.
I also had a few pushes (never again, very painful with magnesium and I think they did not know what they were doing) . . .
The IV drip went better, though.
For me, such targeted magnesium did help lessen the severity of seizures. They went from my 10 to my 6 and have never climbed back up to where they were.
I also used to pass out a lot. That got much better with the IV drips. Since stopping those many years ago, I feel like I may pass out but have not (as long as I sit down - but before, I never got that warning to sit down).
So, it may sound like I went nowhere but there was marked improvement. This was separate from lyme treatment, that was not in the picture when I took the shots or IVs. -
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Summer3
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posted
I guess for now I'll stick with the IV's. I am not having any pain with them so far. The thing is that they wear off after 2-3 days. Sometimes sooner. It's unpredictable.
Right after the IV I feel really good, a clear head, no dizziness, no muscle twitching, I can move my hands normally, no numbness, not exhausted etc. Then everything comes back on. I wish I could get them every day.
I've tried using oral supplements. The really good kinds. They don't seem to do much. I really don't feel any difference on them.
posted
I am not sure my pain is due to hitting a nerve or not. The pain I get is very similar to that of getting a injection of novacaine. It is a burning. Then it is gone. I feel nothing from the magnesium injection if I take lidocaine before.
I do have a lump and unfortunately a bruise, which is my real issue.
I would take IV magnesium but I don't have the time to make that happen. Also the less punctures to my veins the better. Less scar tissue. If I ever had a port put in I would definitely be taking magnesium through it.
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Keebler
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- I forgot about the magnesium lumps - the pooling of the solution - yes, that could really ache.
Massaging the area helps.
About lidocaine, some can contain epinephrine which we should avoid.
As a topical to numb injection site, this should be fine. As a solution to put with the magnesium, a bit drawn in after mag. is in the syringe so that it is expelled first to numb the tissue as the needle goes through, if it contains epinephrine that could be way to stimulating for us.
For me, the injection site itself was not so much the concern for pain but when the magnesium solution was introduced to the tissue inside of my leg, it just burned terribly UNLESS B-12 was with it.
Various numbing agents contain epinephrine. Be sure you know this for your dental visits. My dentist was the first to tell me "NO EPI" and marked it right inside the cover to my chart. -
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lymeinhell
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posted
Terv, if you got a bruise, you hit a blood vessel. Ice the area after injecting, and rotate your injection sites. I've been doing mag sulfate IM for 7 yrs now.
To avoid injecting into a vessel, once the needle is inserted, draw back and see if it pulls and blood. If it does, remove the needle, DO NOT INJECT the mag, and discard the dose. You will need to prepare another syringe and try a different area.
This link has a great description (see second page, D. through I.)
As far as burning goes, I draw the 2ml mag and then 1ml 2% lidocaine after. This way, the lidocaine goes in first when you inject and it numbs the area.
It's not a complicated process, nor is it painful when done correctly. IM and IV magnesium are probably the best things I ever did during treatment. I just didn't want this post leaving new people here afraid to try it.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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You give me hope I can get this to work. I have had times when I withdraw the needle and blood comes out. those times I do end up with a huge bruise. However most of the time I don't get that and I still get a bruise. It isnt as bad though.
I rotate the sites mostly because of all the bruising. My butt is blacknblue. It is hard to believe that I am always hitting a blood vessel.
I prepare the mag/lidocaine as you do.
I will try icing the site though and see if that helps. I need to get this to work.
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lymeinhell
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posted
Are you making sure you get rid of all air bubbles before you inject? Once the syringe is full, hold it needle up. Flick your finger a few times on the side of the syringe to make sure any bubbles rise to the top. Then squirt it while upright to ensure you get rid of the air.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
Success! I got back from travel and tried a new injection site that lymeinhell suggested along with making sure I got the air bubbles out. No burning, no bruise, nothing. I have done this twice now so I am hoping I have this solved. Now I just need to get all my bruises healed up.
Thanks!
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nonna05
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posted
Seems like a lot are using lidocaine..
was it difficult to get ??
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Rumigirl
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posted
Getting it IV is great, over 10 minutes or more. If you have a PICC line or port, you can do it yourself easily. Otherwise, have to go to the dr/NP.
There's "also magnesium oil" topically (it's not really and oil, just feels like it).
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lymeinhell
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Nonna, you need a prescription to get the lidocaine.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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nonna05
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posted
Is it at compounding or reg. pharmacy??
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