"Water Toxicity" or "Hyponatremia". Drinking too much water can kill you!

Options
124

Replies

  • jennybearlv
    jennybearlv Posts: 1,519 Member
    edited August 2017
    Options
    marymickaela wrote: »
    Let me clarify. I am on Trileptal as a mood stabilizer for what my psych doc feels is a form of Bipolar. I hesitate to use that word as it scares a lot of people. Many just use the word "Mood Disorder" which is ok too. So please don't judge me too harshly that "oh she's just mentally ill." So not classic, but some form. It has been a great med and for the most part I've been stable. I cut the dose by 1/4th on my own, but the psych doc cut it by another 1/4th, thus 1/2 the dose now. However, after getting the news my sodium was back to normal I think I'm been having some form of mania or hypomania the past week. I've just been so damn happy and I can't help it. I want to shout it from the roof tops. I love my therapist of 2 yrs and I see for her for EMDR for PTSD. For 2 years she has raged about the BP dx saying so many want to label people with PTSD with a BP dx when that's not the problem.

    Well I see her once a week. I saw her two days ago and rattled on and on and on about the past week, how happy I was, on and on and on, saying I really don't think I need therapy anymore. For the very 1st time in 2yrs I heard her use the word "mania". I stopped but didn't say anything as I was so stunned. I definitely will bring it up next week. However, my H and I discussed it in depth last night as he said I'm definitely manic. Whether it't due to cutting the Trileptal or the stress that triggered it, not sure. Only got 3 hrs sleep last night. I honestly don't want to ruin my happiness, but as one specialist pointed out to me several years ago "what goes up, must come down." Meaning if you go into mania, the opposite is going into a depression. Haven't been in a serious depression for many many years, but it wasn't pretty when I was in it. I don't want that to happen. So I'm getting ready to rest for awhile and try to stay calm. I can't focus or accomplish and have so much to do it really bothers me.

    I don't want this to turn into a mental illlness thread, but wanted to honestly answer your question. I see my psych doc in 2 weeks and if still this way will probably get another med added or I may even call him sooner if not feeling stable. The problem when you're feeling happy you don't think it's a problem so why would I want anybody to ruin it. I've worked so hard to get off of so many meds it will be a hard pill to swallow. So going to try to use some self care to come down.

    Thanks for taking the time to respond.

    There are plenty of us on this board who are open about our bipolar disorder. The normals are used to us. As someone who has dealt with my own manic episodes I would highly recommend getting in to see your psychiatrist as soon as possible. Once you stop sleeping things can get out of hand fast. Your pdoc can get you on something to stabilize you without it messing with the sodium. Call this weekend if your doctor is available. If not ask your family to keep an eye on you until Monday. In case things get bad they can get you help from the ER.
  • marymickaela
    marymickaela Posts: 190 Member
    Options
    Dear Cat, paralthpiiano, and mph323,

    Thank you for your kind responses. I actually took a med I was prescribed to use to bring me back down a little while ago and while I am feeling sedated it's working. Slept for a hour or so and hoping to sleep well tonight. The mania seems to be subsiding, but it could be the med. I don't like using it as it causes an increase in hunger. .


    I've been able to stop myself from making financial decisions (spending money. not that I didn't think about it) and I think the worst thing I've done is tell perfect strangers about the sodium crisis. I have been bouncing off the walls. The euphoria has just made me so happy and as I told my H it truly is contagious. People seem enchanted hearing about regaining my eye sight suddenly and I can give him examples to prove it. I'm always apologizing for taking up their time, but they want to hear it. My being happy seems to make others happy. You just have to take my word for it. Is my perception distorted? Maybe, but I do have examples to prove my theory.

    I did write an apology to 2 of my girlfriends after re-reading what I wrote them. I said I don't how you wallowed thru this novel. Said if I ever write a book will definitely need an editor. I've been so thankful for the people who have reached out to me.

    So, I am learning that OP is not offensive so thank you for enlightening me. I kept thinking here's my profile pic with my name and I just felt like I was a non-person standing there while people talked about me.

    Oh, I've cut my water intake and my vision is improving again.

    Mary
  • CattOfTheGarage
    CattOfTheGarage Posts: 2,750 Member
    Options
    Well, don't worry about telling us any of this. At the end of the day, we don't know who you are. Sometimes people vent online, and it doesn't do any harm in the long run.
  • marymickaela
    marymickaela Posts: 190 Member
    Options
    CattOfTheGarage wrote: »
    Well, don't worry about telling us any of this. At the end of the day, we don't know who you are. Sometimes people vent online, and it doesn't do any harm in the long run.

    Thanks, that's nice to hear!
  • 12774
    12774 Posts: 1,416 Member
    Options
    You have a lot of serious medical issues for which you should be following your doctors advice and MFP is not the platform for which should seek any advice. Please follow doctors' orders!
  • mph323
    mph323 Posts: 3,565 Member
    Options
    12774 wrote: »
    You have a lot of serious medical issues for which you should be following your doctors advice and MFP is not the platform for which should seek any advice. Please follow doctors' orders!

    Her problem at the moment is that she has conflicting orders from different doctors.
  • marymickaela
    marymickaela Posts: 190 Member
    edited August 2017
    Options
    12774 - You have a lot of serious medical issues for which you should be following your doctors advice and MFP is not the platform for which should seek any advice. Please follow doctors' orders!


    I was never seeking medical advice. The original purpose of my post was to share what happened to me after drastically increasing my water intake. I certainly didn't realize it would turn into such a lengthy discussion. I was just trying to share.

    and mph323 is definitely correct in that I have way too many Specialists and they are all giving me different advice. Who am I to listen to?
  • marymickaela
    marymickaela Posts: 190 Member
    Options
    jennybearlv wrote: »
    wrote: »
    -

    I just wanted to say thank you for sharing, Mary. I know we have kind of turned this into a thread about your health. I need to change something in my meds when I see my doctor this week and it is good to know trileptal can cause low sodium levels. Important information for people like me who may drink 3 liters of water while doing outdoor activities.

    You are very welcome. This is why I wanted to share in hopes it brings something like this to other's attention. Since I certainly didn't know, thought maybe it might help. I did look up side effects from Trileptal and "blurred vision" is also one of the side effects. When I talk to my psych dr I will have to discuss getting off the Trileptal, which will mean switching to yet another med.
  • Noreenmarie1234
    Noreenmarie1234 Posts: 7,493 Member
    edited August 2017
    Options
    Are you talking about pure water or all fluids? I drink about 200oz a day including water that is used to make coffee, protein powder shakes, tea etc. and I am only 105lbs.
  • Noreenmarie1234
    Noreenmarie1234 Posts: 7,493 Member
    Options
    Never mind read whole post lol
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 24,870 Member
    Options
    I've had hyponatremia twice.

    Once as a part of an ultra distance cycling event in 2007 ... and once as a part of a surgery in May this year.


    Hyponatremia is not new or unusual. We've known about it for more than a decade.
  • marymickaela
    marymickaela Posts: 190 Member
    Options
    Machka9 wrote: »
    I've had hyponatremia twice.

    Once as a part of an ultra distance cycling event in 2007 ... and once as a part of a surgery in May this year.


    Hyponatremia is not new or unusual. We've known about it for more than a decade.

    Of course now that I know about it and researched it and am getting educated I agree, but like I said I was never informed about this possible problem. I'm feeling more stable this morning. Actually got a good nights sleep for the 1st time in a couple weeks. Sleep has such healing properties and one of the necessities of life as that's when our bodies repair.

    Will talk to psych doc on Tuesday and when I see kidney specialist on Thursday I will certainly have a lot of questions regarding this problem. It looks like something I'll have to stay on top of. I did watch a YouTube video where a woman went into a coma due to hyponatremia. As she recovered she's now able to recognize when this is recurring. Her memory is a biggie so her H will test her everyday. She's very much into Ancestry so can rattle off info L & R. When the sodium drops this is her 1st sign as her memory goes. For me the memory, blurred vision. and severe leg weakness were all symptoms. However, I blamed it on Cataracts, macular pucker in eyes, possibly a low thyroid for leg weakness and gee am I getting Alheizmers for the memory.

    I truly believe the Trileptal was causing the hyponatremia even before I increased my water. However, it was when I increased the water my symptoms exacerbated. I know I'll have to get totally off the Trileptal as suddenly being able to see seemed miraculous as well as my memory returning. Not worth losing my eyesight or memory over a med.
  • marymickaela
    marymickaela Posts: 190 Member
    edited August 2017
    Options
    jennybearlv wrote: »
    [quote="marymickaela;c-40233351
    quote]There are plenty of us on this board who are open about our bipolar disorder. The normals are used to us. As someone who has dealt with my own manic episodes I would highly recommend getting in to see your psychiatrist as soon as possible. Once you stop sleeping things can get out of hand fast. Your pdoc can get you on something to stabilize you without it messing with the sodium. Call this weekend if your doctor is available. If not ask your family to keep an eye on you until Monday. In case things get bad they can get you help from the ER.

    I want to thank you for posting this. I was only dx'd at age 53 after a nervous breakdown and hospitalized. However in the following years it was very upsetting as I'd have one specialist say I had rapid cycling bipolar, hospitalized again and told "not bipolar", hosp again, "yes, you are." So you can see the confusion. I love my psych doc of 7yrs. The psych doc I'd been seeing had me on Lithium and I was having severe reactions. She was a horrible dr and passed me off to my current dr. Well when current dr saw the state I was in he said "this is totally unacceptable" and took me off the Lithium and got me stable. We've discussed the BP dx at length as it's been a bitter pill to swallow. He has told me I don't have classic BP, but am on the BP Spectrum.

    Looking back over the past week or more I now recognize I was having mania. Whether it was triggered by the stress, cutting the Trileptal. Not sure. H and I finally had a very long talk 2 nights ago and made me realize I was in mania. I said "but it feels so good". I mean I've been dancing all over the house the past week non-stop and just put the euphoria down to a week from hell and hearing my sodium was back to normal. Plus, the song "Despocito" is sure to get those feet dancing.

    It was hearing my Therapist use the word "mania" after 2 yrs denying my BP that got my attention. As I said I got a good night's sleep last night and definitely feeling more stable. My youngest d was dx BP as a teen, although now stable I do worry about her. My 19yo granddaughter has also been dx BP and her (crappy bio-dad) is severely BP). We're just now getting her stable with the right meds. It's been a very rough year with her thou. Seeing her getting stable now is wonderful.

    Again thank you for the response. It's nice to know I can be open about this and not judged.
  • orangegato
    orangegato Posts: 6,570 Member
    edited August 2017
    Options
    Mary @marymickaela , maybe you can recognize symptoms of hyponatremia in you after going through this experience, but if you remain on Trileptal at whatever dose, I would ask my docs who will be monitoring the sodium level, how often etc - so that you don't have to take on more responsibility to monitor symptoms yourself; let the docs be responsible for monitoring sodium by getting blood tests. Just my $0.02.
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    Options
    There is definitely a balance to be found between efficacy and side effects. if the low sodium is easily fixed by just upping dietary sodium and the med is otherwise effective it may be ill advised to come off it.

    I am not saying this is the situation in this case but it should always be part of the discussion. I always weigh things up when starting a new med and keep an eye on side effects. I get some now but my moods are more stable than they've ever been so the not so great but manageable side effects are worth it.

    For context, I am bipolar type 2, only diagnosed for a couple of years.
  • ssbbg
    ssbbg Posts: 153 Member
    Options
    marymickaela wrote: »

    I am also on a lot of other meds. I have no thyroid due to cancer at age 26 so see "Endocrinologist" he tests thyroid. RLS - See "Neurologist". 2 yrs ago started having hematuria in urine. See "Urologist", and of course my Internist for everything else, esp. High Blood Pressure which I finally agreed to start meds in March. Thinking back. When I started feeling so tired and lethargic in May I had many things I blamed it on so started back on Shaklee Protein & Vitamins after reconnecting with best friend. June, still not feeling good. Well, maybe I need to start eating better. So July, start new Sugar Smart Diet and the 20th increase my water. Hindsight is wonderful, but I had no reason to suspect the "Trileptal".

    I think some high blood pressure meds also mess with water and electrolyte balance. I highly recommend that you point this medicine out to whatever doctor you talk to next about your sodium issues. This is something else that changed recently and may have contributed to things going very wrong when you increased your water intake.

    Are you going over your entire medication list with your doctors? I'm sure you update them when you add something new, but I mean take them the entire list and doses and timing and make them go through _everything_. Many times they don't review the file to see the big picture or the office records aren't updated properly, so they don't necessarily see all the potentials for interactions.

    Your pharmacist may also be able to review your medication list with you and they may have more time. They could at least flag worrying combinations which you could talk to your doctor about. (Talk to a pharmacist, not a pharmacy tech.)

    I'm glad you are feeling better and I hope you get everything sorted with your doctors.
  • RamboKitty87
    RamboKitty87 Posts: 272 Member
    Options
    Wow what an eye opener, I can sometimes drink 3 litres quite easily, normally I stay around 2 litres per day but everyone I spoke to when I told them I was eating healthier said I should drink as much water as I can, its like one of the first things I get told / read about when looking for tips about losing weight its always "increase water intake" or "drink a pint of water whenever you feel hungry" etc etc so you cannot blame people for over-doing it, I will take this onto account from now on though, I sometimes get dizzy and eye sight can get blurry when I am out in public but I always put that down to my anxiety, thank you for sharing your story and I am sorry this has happened to you, I would suggest possibly getting a smaller water bottle, freezing a bottle of water and drink it as its thawing so you drink slower or try and monitor as best you can your water intake, just be careful and stay safe :)
  • mph323
    mph323 Posts: 3,565 Member
    Options
    RamboKitty87 wrote: »
    Wow what an eye opener, I can sometimes drink 3 litres quite easily, normally I stay around 2 litres per day but everyone I spoke to when I told them I was eating healthier said I should drink as much water as I can, its like one of the first things I get told / read about when looking for tips about losing weight its always "increase water intake" or "drink a pint of water whenever you feel hungry" etc etc so you cannot blame people for over-doing it, I will take this onto account from now on though, I sometimes get dizzy and eye sight can get blurry when I am out in public but I always put that down to my anxiety, thank you for sharing your story and I am sorry this has happened to you, I would suggest possibly getting a smaller water bottle, freezing a bottle of water and drink it as its thawing so you drink slower or try and monitor as best you can your water intake, just be careful and stay safe :)

    1. You only need to drink enough fluids daily to keep your urine light yellow, unless you have a medical condition that requires you to drink more.

    2. If you're having dizziness or blurry eye-sight you need to be checked out by a doctor - don't self-diagnose, there are multiple causes for these types of symptoms and not all the causes are benign.

Categories