- Messages
- 50
I started methylation about 5 months ago. I got to a point where I had to stop because every time I was taking the supplements, I would get really short of breath. Even after stopping the supplements, I started to have severe episodes of shortness of breath and weakness. I knew about methylation depleting potassium, but I guess I didn’t take this serious enough or correlate it with my symptoms. I ended up going to the ER about a month ago and they sent me home saying I was fine. My potassium was at a 3.7 at the time (lower end of the range 3.5).
Last week, I had such a severe episode while driving I had to pull over. My right arm was so weak I couldn’t lift it over my head, I was short of breath, and my heart was racing/feeling super tight. I didn’t want to go to the ER again because they found nothing last time. But I ended up having an episode again the next day. I went to the ER and they said my potassium was low at 3.2 but that this wouldn’t cause my symptoms (I realize that this is inaccurate).
Anyway, they ended up giving me 40 meq of potassium pills and then sent me home. My concern is that I obviously don’t want to get low potassium again and I doubt that the amount they gave me was enough to replace my stores sufficiently. How much potassium should I be taking? I’ve been taking 200 mg since leaving the hospital.
My other concern is that my magnesium was right on the edge of being low but they didn’t seem concerned by it. It was 1.7 when the cutoff is 1.7. I don’t want my magnesium to go any lower and I read that you need sufficient amounts of magnesium in order to actually keep any of the potassium that you are ingesting. However, my main issue is that every time I take magnesium, even a small amount like 25 mg, I get palpitations and sleep apnea. This makes no sense to me. Any ideas? I added 600 mg of calcium in the mornings in case it is due to low calcium. Then I take potassium during the day. Finally, I try a little magnesium at night. Should I try to take the magnesium with the other electrolytes instead of alone?
It's confusing to me because I took substantial doses of magnesium (500-600 mg) all of 2019 without issue.
Last week, I had such a severe episode while driving I had to pull over. My right arm was so weak I couldn’t lift it over my head, I was short of breath, and my heart was racing/feeling super tight. I didn’t want to go to the ER again because they found nothing last time. But I ended up having an episode again the next day. I went to the ER and they said my potassium was low at 3.2 but that this wouldn’t cause my symptoms (I realize that this is inaccurate).
Anyway, they ended up giving me 40 meq of potassium pills and then sent me home. My concern is that I obviously don’t want to get low potassium again and I doubt that the amount they gave me was enough to replace my stores sufficiently. How much potassium should I be taking? I’ve been taking 200 mg since leaving the hospital.
My other concern is that my magnesium was right on the edge of being low but they didn’t seem concerned by it. It was 1.7 when the cutoff is 1.7. I don’t want my magnesium to go any lower and I read that you need sufficient amounts of magnesium in order to actually keep any of the potassium that you are ingesting. However, my main issue is that every time I take magnesium, even a small amount like 25 mg, I get palpitations and sleep apnea. This makes no sense to me. Any ideas? I added 600 mg of calcium in the mornings in case it is due to low calcium. Then I take potassium during the day. Finally, I try a little magnesium at night. Should I try to take the magnesium with the other electrolytes instead of alone?
It's confusing to me because I took substantial doses of magnesium (500-600 mg) all of 2019 without issue.
Last edited: