A Possible (Undocumented) Symptom of Magnesium Deficiency

Post by **tex** » Fri Aug 28, 2015 9:23 pm

Hi All,

When I had the severe symptoms that I finally tracked down as due to magnesium deficiency last spring, I also had a very unusual symptom. I would describe it as a visual artifact that would appear to be a meteor or a ball of bright orange molten metal that would roll around the perimeter of my field of vision. It would usually start at about the 8 o'clock position on the left side, and it would roll up and over the top before disappearing on the right side at about the 4 o'clock position. I would say that it usually took approximately 1 second to 1.5 seconds to make the complete trip. Occasionally it would travel in the reverse direction. Sometimes it would happen at a frequency of 2 or 3 times per minute, and sometimes there would be many minutes between cycles.

To check it out, I scheduled an appointment with an opthalmologist. When I asked him about the problem described above, he said that it had nothing to do with my eyes, but he sent me to a retina specialist to check out my drusen (I've had drusen for over 35 years), to make sure that it wasn't turning into the wet kind that leads to accelerated macular degeneration. So I also asked the retina specialist, and he too assured me that it had nothing to do with my vision.

So I forgot about it for a while, because it seemed to happen less frequently as the weeks rolled by. A few days ago it dawned on me that I very rarely see that artifact more than maybe once or twice a week these days, and it's a rather weak effect on the rare occasions when I do notice an event.

I can't find anything in the medical literature about this being associated with a magnesium deficiency, and yet if it's not connected, it's a mighty big coincidence, because it seemed to fade away in perfect sync with my most persistent magnesium deficiency symptom, namely not being able to take a deep breath at times. I had that problem for 10 years, before it faded away over the past few months. Could this visual artifact be an undocumented symptom of magnesium deficiency? I've never seen the effect before (that I can recall), but then I've never had such severe magnesium deficiency symptoms of any type before.

I'm guessing that my magnesium deficiency should be pretty much resolved by now, at least to the extent that my blood level should always be safely in the normal range. So I've lowered my daily dose to 400 mg per day, and all the symptoms that were associated with the problem (including not being able to take a deep breath) slowly resolved and are totally absent now.

Anyone have any thoughts or insight on this?

Tex

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Sat Aug 29, 2015 1:48 am

This article is about glaucoma and magnesium, which is not the same, but it's still about vision and magnesium:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7715 ... t=Abstract

Lilia

Post by **tex** » Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:12 am

Interesting.

Thanks,
Tex

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Sat Aug 29, 2015 6:18 pm

Another reason to be sure to keep magnesium levels optimum. Because of Sjogrens I have to have an eye exam every 6 months. The 23andme genetic report indicates a genetic defect that makes me more likely to get a rare type of glaucoma. The doctors at Bascom Palmer are taking that and the Sjogrens seriously. There are some symptoms apparently.

I appreciate your observation, Tex. I'll mention the magnesium to my eye doc.

Sheila W

Grahm · Post by **Grahm** » Mon Aug 31, 2015 9:37 am

Sheila,

What is the cost of having the 23andme test done?

love,
Connie

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Mon Aug 31, 2015 10:52 am

Connie, 23andme charges $99. Once you receive your information you can dowload it to Genetic Gene for a methylation report. There is no charge but they as for a small donation. There is another website that will do the genetic report, I think it's called Promestheus. It is money well spent, in my opinion.

Sheila W

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Mon Aug 31, 2015 5:38 pm

Makes me wonder if Eye Auras connected to migraines may be a Magnesium link also....I get those when my estrogen gets low so prepare for a migraine afterwards, sometimes they come, sometimes they don't. I am hoping the more Mag I continue to absorb the better off I will be and hopefully will not see those auras as much if at all.

Post by **tex** » Mon Aug 31, 2015 5:45 pm

Erica,

Yes, auras and migraines are definitely associated with a magnesium deficiency for some people.

Why all migraine patients should be treated with magnesium.

Tex

Jaime · Post by **Jaime** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 9:24 am

Tex, I had an assortment of symptoms of magnesium defincency that I didn't recognize for several years. One of them was the flashing lights in my eyes. Another was twtiching eye, muscle spasms and vertigo. All of the above except for a rare muscle spasms cleared up after I started a magnesium supplement. Because my stomach can not handle magnesium in pill form I use epson salt baths and a daily spray on magensium oil. All the benifits and no added stomach distress.

Post by **tex** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 11:16 am

Jaime,

Yes, I forgot about the flashing lights. I had a few of them also, and now that you mention it, they have disappeared, also.

External application of magnesium is definitely the safest, and I certainly agree that it seems to work just as well.

Tex

PamelaV · Post by **PamelaV** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 3:59 pm

Following my MCTD diagnosis, I've experienced flashers, an ocular migraine, an enlarged optic nerve and, most recently, a detached retina. Ophthalmologist has no answers, sees no connection between eye issues and AI disease (note to self: find new eye doc).

Just found a Magnesium cream at Whole Foods, Natural Calm by magnesium researcher Dr. Andrea Rosanoff. Very nice.

http://www.magnesiumeducation.com/