Warning to Others - Drinking Too Much Water Can Be Deadly and this is real.

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Replies

  • JAT74
    JAT74 Posts: 1,078 Member
    What about in a hot climate? I've got a water bottle I refill several times a day at the moment (usually 4) which holds 500ml. I have a protein shake for breakfast on top of that, then a coffee, a green tea and continue sipping on my water, plus I have another drink of 250ml with my lunch. It sounds like loads but it's 30+ degrees indoors and I was in the gym this morning too doing cardio.

    Should I cut down? I always use salt on my food (usually lo salt) but don't use anything else to replenish electrolytes. There's a drink they sell here called Aquarius, I could start drinking that instead of some of the water but the calorie free version.

    A few years back I thought I was eating too much salt and cut it out completely and started feeling dizzy/weird so I stopped.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    JAT74 wrote: »
    What about in a hot climate? I've got a water bottle I refill several times a day at the moment (usually 4) which holds 500ml. I have a protein shake for breakfast on top of that, then a coffee, a green tea and continue sipping on my water, plus I have another drink of 250ml with my lunch. It sounds like loads but it's 30+ degrees indoors and I was in the gym this morning too doing cardio.

    Should I cut down? I always use salt on my food (usually lo salt) but don't use anything else to replenish electrolytes. There's a drink they sell here called Aquarius, I could start drinking that instead of some of the water but the calorie free version.

    A few years back I thought I was eating too much salt and cut it out completely and started feeling dizzy/weird so I stopped.

    add something with electrolytes - pedialyte, nuun, Gatorade, etc - there are lots of things you can use
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    You definitely should add electrolytes especially if you are sweating a lot
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    You don't need "Ultima Eletrolyte Replenisher". If my doctor said that unconsciousness is a real possibility, I'd be dumping salt on all the foods. Salt and potassium are your two most important electrolytes.

    Here's another electrolyte solution:
    http://chealth.canoe.com/drug/getdrug/gastrolyte

    Talk to your pharmacist. They can steer you to the best products available.

    Even if you aren't feeling that well and aren't that hungry, get that salt in!

    Even if you are thirsty, don't drink more than ordered!
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    jgnatca wrote: »
    You don't need "Ultima Eletrolyte Replenisher". If my doctor said that unconsciousness is a real possibility, I'd be dumping salt on all the foods. Salt and potassium are your two most important electrolytes.

    Here's another electrolyte solution:
    http://chealth.canoe.com/drug/getdrug/gastrolyte

    Talk to your pharmacist. They can steer you to the best products available.

    Even if you aren't feeling that well and aren't that hungry, get that salt in!

    Even if you are thirsty, don't drink more than ordered!

    If I risk unconsciousness I would high tail it to the ER for fluids. I have gone for fluids (when not at as criuical position as you are) and it's not a big deal.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,598 Member
    Yup. People have legit died of this before, like in stupid water chugging contests sponsored by radio stations. This sort of thing is why I don't advocate pushing extreme amounts of water drinking but rather to let thirst and moderation be the guide. The electrolyte imbalance can get you, or excess water can actually flood the lungs and suffocate the person. I hope you make it through this without anything super serious happening. Our bodies do need salt. Not loads, but cutting back to almost none isn't good either. Wishing the best for you!
  • DamieBird
    DamieBird Posts: 651 Member
    JAT74 wrote: »
    What about in a hot climate? I've got a water bottle I refill several times a day at the moment (usually 4) which holds 500ml. I have a protein shake for breakfast on top of that, then a coffee, a green tea and continue sipping on my water, plus I have another drink of 250ml with my lunch. It sounds like loads but it's 30+ degrees indoors and I was in the gym this morning too doing cardio.

    Should I cut down? I always use salt on my food (usually lo salt) but don't use anything else to replenish electrolytes. There's a drink they sell here called Aquarius, I could start drinking that instead of some of the water but the calorie free version.

    A few years back I thought I was eating too much salt and cut it out completely and started feeling dizzy/weird so I stopped.

    If you feel fine, you probably don't need to change anything. You've already recognized how you feel if you cut out too much sodium in the past, so just be attuned to that and if you start feeling like that again, make sure you eat something salty. If it's super hot in the summer and I'm drinking a ton of water (like - a LOT over my normal consumption) I may have a drink in the morning that is warm water with a tsp of salt and some lime juice. Sounds weird, but I kinda like it and I've never had any issues with high sodium, so I don't worry about it.
  • nevadavis1
    nevadavis1 Posts: 331 Member
    Scary. Thanks for sharing this. I massively reduced sodium due to my blood pressure--the dr didn't tell me to, I just did it as part of my diet plan--and last time I saw the cardiologist he told me I wasn't getting enough salt and to start eating more salt. I asked "I thought salt was bad for blood pressure?" and he answered that mine wasn't caused by salt in the first place and I never actually needed to reduce it. Luckily it was not life-threatening though.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,372 Member
    Good reminder, way too many people think that drinking a lot of water is a magical solution for weight loss on these boards. Get better!
  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    Scary OP!

    I have chronic low-level hyponatremia as a side effect of a medication I'm on.

    I handle it by liberally salting my food and adding Propel packets to my water. Unfortunately, I do drink a lot of water because another side effect of the same medication is chronic dry throat/mouth. I try to keep it reasonable so I don't make my sodium levels too low.

    Thanks for the reminder, I hope more people see it.

  • marymickaela
    marymickaela Posts: 190 Member
    GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »
    Scary OP!

    I have chronic low-level hyponatremia as a side effect of a medication I'm on.

    I handle it by liberally salting my food and adding Propel packets to my water. Unfortunately, I do drink a lot of water because another side effect of the same medication is chronic dry throat/mouth. I try to keep it reasonable so I don't make my sodium levels too low.

    Thanks for the reminder, I hope more people see it.

    Can I ask what med you're on. Trileptal was part of my problem. My eyesight has significantly cleared up after months of being unable to see the TV Menu and looking at possibly 2 eye surgeries. Very scary! Do you have memory problems, trouble walking and/or other issues with the low sodium problem? How low did yours get if you don't mind my asking? Mine was 124. Now at 134, but I'm being told that's ok. However, see the kidney specialist in 3 days so will see what he has to say.
  • marymickaela
    marymickaela Posts: 190 Member
    So said I've give you an update if anything changed. Had my kidney specialist appt yesterday and psych appt today. After discussing the med issue he said he felt ok keeping my Trileptal at 900mg as long as I watched my water intake. Must keep it at 50oz and if labs came back normal could increase it to 70oz daily max. Although most people could drink large amounts of water, I COULDN'T! My moods have been much more stable this week so discussed it with psych doc today. Problem is. the Trileptal has been the best med/with the least side effects I've been on (have been on so many) so we have to weigh the risks versus the benefits. Agreed to keep it at 900mg and monitor sodium and side effects.

    Well I checked my portal when I got back home today and found my sodium came back at 123 which according to my ICU nurse is Critical. I got no call from the nephrologist and the office was closed for the day. So looks like I'm at 50oz for now, no driving and my daughter said she felt I could hold my 3mo old granddaughter as long as I am sitting.

    Very frustrating to say the least. I just don't get why I'm having this problem as I haven't gone super crazy with the water this week. More then 50oz, but not crazy. H measured my YETI cup and it is only 30oz, which is all I've had today. Although my d said I need to also count the 8oz of milk and frozen blueberries I used to make my protein drink this morning as a liquid. Getting too close to seizures and it's scary. Guess this is why I've been having raging headaches the last few days.
  • orangegato
    orangegato Posts: 6,570 Member
    Many people with chronic hyponatremia find it difficult to restrict fluids (often instructed to only take 32 oz). So they get prescribed salt tablets that they take daily. Might want to ask about that.
  • marymickaela
    marymickaela Posts: 190 Member
    Not sure about salt tablets, but kidney specialist said if I increased salt intake it would make me thirsty so not to do that.

    This is a little off that, but I was supposed to see a kidney spec anyway due to hematuria in my urine. I told him after restricting water hematuria wasn't showing up on his tests, but when I increased fluids it did. Sure enough labs came back moderate hematuria. He was baffled yesterday why drinking more would cause this and his only thought was I might have microscopic kidney stones which wouldn't even show up on CAT-Scans. However, this has been going on almost 2 yrs with no resolution and it's shown up in the past without increasing fluids. Just not with this dr so I was glad it did so he could see it wasn't all my imagination. Of course he had all my urologist's reports to prove it also. LOL!!
  • orangegato
    orangegato Posts: 6,570 Member
    Yes salt tabs will make you thirsty. But, if sodium is still low despite fluid restrictions and the Trileptal dose isn't being lowered, the docs may have to turn to salt tabs to raise the sodium. Have you called the on call doctor for the psych - sounds like they are the ones monitoring the sodium - to ask if you need to do anything about the Na = 123?
  • marymickaela
    marymickaela Posts: 190 Member
    The kidney doc is supposed to be monitoring the sodium I guess. I did call the office, but the dr and nurse were gone for the day. Can't call psych doc unless Emergency and he has no on call dr. I'm so pissed at my H right now. He just made a comment "you just like going to doctors." I went off on him "Oh, that's right, I went for my annual physical and my sodium came back low where they're freaking out, now I'm see a kidney spec who's lecturing me, plus a psych dr concerned about my meds and you were very concerned a week ago, and it's all because I love going to dr's." Stormed out of the room, then got my purse and took off for store. Screw you!!! WTF??? At this moment, I'm NOT speaking to him.

    Sorry, off topic, but still pissed!!!
  • orangegato
    orangegato Posts: 6,570 Member
    Sorry that H isn't more understanding.
    I thought that all docs had on call coverage after hours? Not good that no one got back to you about the sodium level on a Friday....

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