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questions about nystagmus...

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 6:57 am
by Filmmaker
Since i have been diagnosed I developped nystagmus in my left eye, so it's been a littlemore than twoyears now... Just wondering, how is that treated? Those of you who have had it, is this permanent or can it get better? I guess everything is a mystery with MS but just asking about your experience...

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 9:05 am
by jimmylegs
hi film, this is another situation like the pain, headache, etc, where i would suspect magnesium problems. did you start taking some of your daily magnesium at a different time from the vit d3 yet? you may need to take a break from daily d3 and concentrate on magnesium for a while..

Dysphagia and Vertical Nystagmus in Magnesium Deficiency
http://www.annals.org/content/89/2/222.short

Downbeat Nystagmus With Magnesium Depletion
http://archneur.ama-assn.org/cgi/conten ... /38/10/650

Downbeat nystagmus indicates cerebellar or brain-stem lesions in vitamin B12 deficiency
http://www.springerlink.com/content/g5612882565x5388/

(btw, you need magnesium for proper absorption of b12 too, not just for greedy d3 :) )

random site because i'm out of time:
"Because deficiencies of vitamin B12 are most often caused by an abnormality in the absorption of vitamin B12, it’s recommended that supplements of vitamin B12 be taken with iron, folic acid, magnesium and vitamin B6 to facilitate its absorption and use by the body."

although magnesium is a really likelyl suspect to me, you may want to consider vitamin B1 (Thiamin) also:

http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Ab ... ble.4.aspx
Wernicke's Encephalopathy: A Predictable Complication of Hyperemesis Gravidarum
(ie you can end up with vit B1/ thiamin deficiency and nystagmus from other causes than alcohol)

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:14 am
by Filmmaker
Hi Jimmy, yes I have raised my Mg intake and actually only take tat now (with vitamin c), I also soak in epsom salt baths almost evrryday to absorb even more magnesium... I was just wondering if nystagmus was a reversible condtion or not...:-(

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:37 am
by jimmylegs
yes it should be reversible.

b-complex, C and magnesium would be a good combo ... taking b-complex and mag together might be a good way to cover multiple bases re nystagmus, and at the same time help with magnesium absorption.

recommended daily magnesium intakes for people with ms are in the order of 600-1200mg. serum levels should be no lower than 0.90 mmol/L.

also potassium and magnesium work together. if you like bananas, chow down! :) we need a LOT of potassium each day, about 5 bananas' worth!

currently i only get 150mg elemental mag daily (from 833mg magnesium glycinate)... (and then there's the food sources).

but i used to try to ensure 500-600mg daily back when i was re-stocking from deficiency due to vit d3. at the time i did use magnesium citrate but found it hard to absorb, it went right through me usually :S

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 1:09 pm
by Filmmaker
haha, i do eat a lot of bananas i didn't even know they were good for us:-)

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 1:47 pm
by jimmylegs
awesome! :D

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 1:49 pm
by jimmylegs
fyi world's healthiest foods rich in magnesium (i love this site)
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tnam ... nt&dbid=75

i just so happen to have some chard at the ready, standing by to be boiled at some near future opportunity :D