Well, not much, as a matter of fact.
Some of you may know my overall health was deteriorating slowly but surely. I didn't know what was going on. Now I have the diagnosis. I've had all these symptoms for what seems like months.
From the Mayo Clinic.
Hyponatremia signs and symptoms may include:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Headache.
- Confusion.
- Loss of energy, drowsiness and fatigue.
- Restlessness and irritability.
- Muscle weakness, spasms or cramps.
- Seizures.
- Coma.
The condition is extremely low sodium for those interested. A very dangerous condition. I've had lab work today and yesterday. And more on Monday. A slight betterment today. I'll be seeing doctor on Tuesday for moving forward (it could be my drugs needing adjustment, it could be the tons of water I drink because of my kidney disease). She will consult with my other specialists.
Needless to mention, she warned me to call an ambulance if another bad bout of any symptom is evident.
None of us ever want the ambulance and emergency rooms. I wrote about my last experience here.
Still, it could be worse.
I thought all of the above was curtains for me.
I'm truly grateful and amazed that I'm still this side of the daisies.
On a lighter note, this is close to where I live here in St. John's.
The village of Quidi Vidi * is within the city of St. John's. Breathtaking, beautiful and still an active fishing village.
Photo at sunset by Ray Mackey. A friend and superb photographer.
Quidi Vida is a tiny village but looks so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI suppose you let the medical system go through the processes, but an alert eye about what is happening is a good thing. I wish I'd put that into practice in the past.
I felt like death warmed up Andrew and finally thought maybe something will show in the blood work. And bingo. I feel very lucky as according to doc the readings were catastrophic.
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Ouch, that's not so nice. But still it's nice to know what ails you - and that it can be cured or at least kept at bay.
ReplyDeleteQuidi Vidi is a remarkable name, and that sunset is just stunning! As I so often say: You live in a beautiful place.
I really do Charlotte. I never get tired of it, always something beautiful just around the corner.
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Just recently I was reading that many Australians die of hyponatraemia when we have extreme heat because we know it's important to drink water and end up having too much.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to the bottom of it, we like having you around.
Oh that's sweet Kylie. I like being around the blogger gang too. Very supportive and kind.
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Sounds like a condition I was diagnosed with at a much younger age than you--low sodium, low potassium. My primary care doctor, one of the very best, told me to eat more salt. "I never tell a patient to do that, but you are very rare and it will help you."
ReplyDeleteSure enough, more salt did help. However, I have a shortage of potassium and when I mentioned that I ate a banana a day, the doctor said, "that's no where near enough, take a supplement EVERY DAY." Okay. Over the years, doing these two things made all the difference.
Even now, at 73, I'm still doing those things, except I find the extra salt harder because of the foods we eat and how I decrease salt use for Terry and his heart condition. I just add salt to my own food when I think about it. But, I can tell when I need to add more.
I've been indulging myself with salt which was off limits for me. Chips - the Irish kind that I love. And imported cheeses, a chunk rather than a sliver. My potassium is too high and I have to take a med to counteract that, and no bananas which were very hard to give up.
DeleteYour history is interesting.
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In Dad's last months his kidney function was extremely low. One doctor told him to drink at least 6 cups of water a day. Another, on hearing that, said No! Don't do that when your kidneys are already struggling!
ReplyDeleteHe also got "Eat a banana every day" in the same week his doctor took him off potassium supplements. Such a balancing act.
I swear we never knew who to believe. It does sound like you know who to believe and I hope your health improves. xo Kate
A good team, Kate. And yes, speculation is that I drink too much water (orders from my nephrologist for my kidney disease). More will be revealed at my appointments next week, after more lab work. I'm like a pin cushion. Really hard on your dad. Yes, you nailed it a balancing act.
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Roisin NY here. Yes, if you’re drinking too much water it could make you hyponatremic. Or, if you’re on a diuretic. Glad the labs have been drawn and your doctor is being vigilant. . Also need to watch your potassium level if your kidneys are compromised. Unfortunately, the medical appts , while so necessary, can consume your life as you get older. As our aunts and mothers would say “mind yourself”.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fine line on the water, Ros. As the effects of not enough sleep leave me with unbelievable leg cramps at night. I take magnesium to counteract that, but sometimes it can raise an alarm in lab work when it goes above normal. Doc told me that my iron has decreased again after my infusion a couple of months ago. As Kate says a balancing act for sure, but the team are on top of it.
DeleteI'll be in touch once all this stuff is behind me.
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And if I don't drink the water I get unbelievable leg cramps at night unless I take magnesium, which reflects poorly on my lab work. And doc tells me my iron has also gone down again, even after my recent infusion. A balancing act as Kate says on all the med with chronic kidney disease. I'll know more next week with the fresh lab-work and consult with doc and internist. *sigh*
DeleteI'll be in touch once this is, hopefully, behind me.
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Ros, my first comment got lost and then I did a second. Weird. Now they're both here. So very weird.
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I am sorry to hear you have been so unwell, but very thankful for a diagnosis and possibly successful treatment. I remember when you wrote about Quidi Vidi.
ReplyDeleteIt's enchanting River, like something out of a fairy tale. And a gorgeous old building there full of artisans selling hand made crafts.
DeleteThanks for your kind words.
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One of the problems of sickness in old age seems to be that treatment for one ailment causes adverse reactions in others. Doctors can only do so much. Quidi Vidi does indeed seem like a wonderful place. Enjoy the week ahead. Best wishes - David
ReplyDeleteThank you David. The one positive about feeling so terrible is when you feel fractionally better the world changes its colours once more.
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Glad you are on a better path at the moment! I've started magnesium glycinate, very low dose. No more leg cramping. And it has shockingly seemed to help w/my anxiety. That village is enchanting. Such beauty where you live.
ReplyDeleteI am finding that the magnesium (I was taken off it for quite a while) is now easing my neuropathy as well Elle. Interesting about the anxiety. We never know what can work sometimes.
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Bless your heart. I wish you good health and a wonder filled weekend.
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