Having to increase sodium and weight creeping up

colorfulcoquette

Thank you for the replies to my question.

I've discussed it with my doctor in the past as it's been in the 85/60 range when I've gone for check-ups. I've never passed out but I have had dizziness/seeing stars when first getting out of bed. They didn't seem all that concerned by that but said I could try increasing my salt to see if that helps. It did help, it's now an occasional thing to have happen rather than an every day occurrence.

Seeing the low read-outs on the machine put it back on my radar again and the comment about dangerously low caught my attention. I go for my regular check-up soon so I'll talk to them about it again then

SCoil123

colorfulcoquette wrote: »

Thank you for the replies to my question.

I've discussed it with my doctor in the past as it's been in the 85/60 range when I've gone for check-ups. I've never passed out but I have had dizziness/seeing stars when first getting out of bed. They didn't seem all that concerned by that but said I could try increasing my salt to see if that helps. It did help, it's now an occasional thing to have happen rather than an every day occurrence.

Seeing the low read-outs on the machine put it back on my radar again and the comment about dangerously low caught my attention. I go for my regular check-up soon so I'll talk to them about it again then

For me I was having horrible headaches and dizzy spells for a few weeks. Sometimes I would get dizzy while walking or driving in addition to when changing position. Then I also started having muscle spasms. This all brought me to my doctor. I used to be prehypertensive a few years agoand the day I initially went in my bp was 82/50. For me this was a substantial drop. They ran blood work and found my sodium was very low and potassium was also a little low that day.

I was treated for an electrolyte imbalance at the hospital for a day and told to come in for a follow up in 2 weeks. I recorded everything I did and ate for those two weeks. I consumed over the daily recommended sodium and decreased water intake. At my follow up I had developed strange raises bruising covering my right leg, sodium was still below range, and bp was up to 90/51. My potassium looks good now though and all other blood work was fine.

I don’t know what is medically “too low” but I suspect symptoms are part of how doctors decide for each patient. My mom has low bp but hers causes no problems and requires no treatment.

Edited to add - as my bp got lower my pulse increased which is also part of the equation they are looking at for me. I suspect that my body is just adapting to being in better shape and that I was drinking too much water for quite awhile. Given my moms bp this may be hereditary in my family when healthy but the doc wants to be sure since it’s a big change for me

colorfulcoquette

@SCoil123 - That sounds like it was really scary, I'm glad they were able to figure out what was going on and that your treatment is going well. I do hope that the weight resolves itself in the not too distant future (((hugs)))

SCoil123

Follow up- my appointment was this morning rather than tomorrow. The high sodium diet has helped. My blood pressure is considered stabilized at 100/60. We are waiting for the labs back to see if blood sodium levels are up but everything looks good. Other than the bloating I’m feeling great now.

I am still retaining about 5lbs but the doctor stated this can take up to 6months to stabilize. As long as I remain in a healthy weight range she doesn’t want me to worry about it and I’m trying not to