Question 1

i have long standing hyponatremia, low chloride plus high tsh 12.8. i have been hospitalized mult times had  seizure.  taking 10 1gr sodium. fluid res?

Accepted Answer

FInd out why: I trust you are not taking a diuretic for some reason, and i trust you do not have inappropriate ADH (vasopressin) secretion due to porphyria or some other illness. Especially, i hope you don't have undiagnosed addison's disease especially with the high TSH (possible schmidt's). Have you been evaluated for one of the syndromes of renal sodium wasting?

Question 2

i'm on 50mg sertraline and i read that it can cause low sodium, how likely is that and should i add more salt in my diet? if i eat late or not eat enough i feel weak and i'm worried it's hyponatremia?

Accepted Answer

: Eating more salt will not help. If the cause is Sertraline you may want to discuss changing meds with Dr.  Go to Drugs.com and look up all meds you are taking as many can cause low blood Na. Not likely at your age.

Question 3

seizures caused from depleation of good sodium in my body. caused from over medication of drug soma. went into hospital, they brought sodium levels up through i.v's. taking depakote 500 mg. 1x per day to avoid seizures.  suggest support groups, effects on

Accepted Answer

It : It is probably true than anyone can have a seizure under the right conditions.  These conditions include poisoning by prescription or recreational drugs, withdrawal from prescription or recreational drugs (including alcohol), brain injuries, general illnesses, and abnormal levels of blood salts (electrolytes -- including sodium).  When people have seizures with provocation, they are not considered to have epilepsy, and usually don't require long term seizure medication.

People who have a tendency to have repeated seizures with little or no provocation have epilepsy.  The diagnosis is made by history, and supported by results from tests like brain-wave recordings (eegs) and brain imaging (usually mri). Epilepsy usually does require long-term use of seizure medications like depakote, or other interventions like epilepsy surgery.

Taking Depakote for a provoked seizure is an unusual clinical approach.  Depakote can be given for other reasons.  Since Depakote use can be accompanied by serious short term and long term side effects, it is important to see a doctor to develop a better understanding for its use in specific cases.

Question 4

got refused for an eeg for seizure like symptoms and was told my bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) levels are low causing symptoms but labs are normal? gave me a paper bag?

Accepted Answer

Hyperventilation: The paper bag is to treat hyperventilation. The idea is to recapture exhaled carbon dioxide to correct your blood ph. Breathing too deeply or too rapidly can lead to the feeling you cannot catch your breath, carpal pedal spasm of the wrists and even loss of consciousness.

Question 5

does low sodium contribute to seizures?

Accepted Answer

Low sodium: Low serum sodium concentrations in circulating blood sure can lead to seizures.  If serum sodium concentrations drop fast, then brain sweiling happens rapidly with compression of brain matter.  Seizure, coma, brain herniation can result. Low serum sodium concentrations are not induced by low sodium diets.  Please don't confuse these.

Question 6

is there a treatment for hyponatremia (low sodium)?

Accepted Answer

Water restrictions: There are 2 ways of treating this
1- restricting water intake
2- taking sodium tablets

either way this is a very serious medical issue it should be done under  the supervision of a doctor.

Question 7

there have been 2 cases of severe seizures within the last 2 months, both times the hospital blamed it on low sodium but couldn't find anything else wrong. i have been eating a lot of salt already, could there be something they missed?

Accepted Answer

: You should request evaluation by a specialist like an endocrinologist if the low sodium is so low as to cause seizures and you do not have issues with drinking water more than normal. There is underlying imbalance in the salt exchange in your kidneys that is usually modulated by hormones that probably should be evaluated by blood tests.

Question 8

low sodium 126, high bp, diovan (valsartan) 320mg, wine drinker, sudden seizures.test negative.what's happening?

Accepted Answer

Complicated: Diovan (valsartan) can cause low sodium. Check. Of course, it is given for high blood pressure. Check. Alcohol in xs raises BP & can lower sodium.  Check. Alcohol withdrawal is one of many causes of seizures. Check.  Test negative - huh? Which test?

Question 9

i have hyponatremia, low chloride and high tsh 12.8.  sodium went to 116.  many hospitalizations. take 10 1gr sodium tabs. fluid res?

Accepted Answer

Seems serious : Usually we get very concerned about a sodium less than 120.  There is a high chance for you to have a seizure at levels around 110-115 or lower. Yes, normally admitted patients with that level are initially fluid restricted to 1l free water per 24 hrs. You need to see your doc on this one as it could be caused by medicines or other things. Don't blow this one off ! see an internist or family doc !

Question 10

i have been told by my dr. subscribed 1 gm of sodium chloride 2x's daily for chronic hyponatremia...they cause nausea-vomiting. could i be allergic?

Accepted Answer

Wrong treatment: Hi. The treatment for hyponatremia depends on the patient's volume status (dehydrated, volume over-loaded, or normal volume status) and the underlying cause. The most common cause, SIADH, is treated with water restriction (or one of the new vaptan drugs), NOT by giving salt. Nausea and vomiting can be FROM severe hyponatremia. It wouldn't be a bad idea for you to see an endocrinologist.

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Doctor answers about:

Can low sodium levels cause seizures

A member asked:

I have long standing hyponatremia, low chloride plus high tsh 12.8. i have been hospitalized mult times had seizure. taking 10 1gr sodium. fluid res?

A member asked:

I'm on 50mg sertraline and i read that it can cause low sodium, how likely is that and should i add more salt in my diet? if i eat late or not eat enough i feel weak and i'm worried it's hyponatremia?

A member asked:

Seizures caused from depleation of good sodium in my body. caused from over medication of drug soma. went into hospital, they brought sodium levels up through i.v's. taking depakote 500 mg. 1x per day to avoid seizures. suggest support groups, effects on

A member asked:

Got refused for an eeg for seizure like symptoms and was told my bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) levels are low causing symptoms but labs are normal? gave me a paper bag?

A member asked:

Does low sodium contribute to seizures?

A member asked:

Is there a treatment for hyponatremia (low sodium)?

A member asked:

There have been 2 cases of severe seizures within the last 2 months, both times the hospital blamed it on low sodium but couldn't find anything else wrong. i have been eating a lot of salt already, could there be something they missed?

A member asked:

Low sodium 126, high bp, diovan (valsartan) 320mg, wine drinker, sudden seizures.test negative.what's happening?

A member asked:

I have hyponatremia, low chloride and high tsh 12.8. sodium went to 116. many hospitalizations. take 10 1gr sodium tabs. fluid res?

A member asked:

I have been told by my dr. subscribed 1 gm of sodium chloride 2x's daily for chronic hyponatremia...they cause nausea-vomiting. could i be allergic?

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