[Healthgirl]

I have had a rough time lately with feeling like I'm floating, dizzy, and foggy. I couldn't sleep last night or the night before due to heart racing, internal vibrations, and nasty nerve pain. I called my doctor today and his nurse called back and offered a saline IV for tomorrow. I said I'm not dehydrated because I've been drinking plenty of water. I'm even adding salt to my drinks because it helps a bit. Anyway, I said I'd try it anyway. Apparently it is a treatment for this and I don't know why no doctor has offered it before. Anyone tried this?

Saline Therapy: Hydration Found to Be a Powerful Tool in Treatment of Dysautonomia (POTS) - Santa Maria Medicine

I'll post an update on what happens when I get back.

[en bloc]

Hydration IS a good tool for dysautonomia...to help keep your BP up when standing. However, the IV saline doesn't last long, so has to be repeated frequently...probably the reason most doctors don't order it. If your symptoms improve then he may try it for a short time (multiple infusions).

But you can typically achieve the same by drinking fluids. NOT just plain water---it needs to have other substances in the fluid for better absorption. This is partially why Gatorade and other drinks help with hydration better than just plain water (they also have potassium, sodium, etc). You can get low sugar Gatorade or Powerade.

But I have found the BEST why to hydrate is with 100% natural coconut water (NOT coconut milk or juice). There are numerous articles online about coconut water...even being used in third world countries for emergency transfusions...as it closely resembles the make up of blood plasma. I can certainly confirm that it works for me and has helped with symptoms in a very short period of time (like within 20-30 minutes). Worth trying, if you haven't already.

[DavidHC]

I can second the benefits of coconut water (100% natural, nothing added). Sports drinks are filled with artificial ingredients, chemicals and sugars. I also used this method rather than the recommended sports drinks during my recent colonoscopy prep and it went smoothly.

[mrsD]

I think that if the infusion helps, you need to examine your
kidney functions, and adrenals. Sodium balance can be affected by both organs.

Some drugs cause hyponatremia too. SSRI's are one example.

Hyponatremia is a complex condition caused by multiple triggers. Drinking too much water,is only one possible cause.

This is a good medical link explaining more:
Management of Hyponatremia - American Family Physician

[Healthgirl]

Well, I'm back. It didn't help at all. In fact it caused my already low bp to drop and increased tachycardia. At least he tried. Why would that happen though? Anybody know?

[stillHoping]

Have you tried Florinef ?
If increased water and salts intakes helps, then Florinef is supposed to increase their affect.

[en bloc]

Originally Posted by Healthgirl

Well, I'm back. It didn't help at all. In fact it caused my already low bp to drop and increased tachycardia. At least he tried. Why would that happen though? Anybody know?

Not sure why it didn't help (even a little)...unless you just peed it all out too quickly. Fluids is NOT the only reason your BP drops.

If blood is pooling in your feet when you stand and causing your BP to drop then you need vaso-constrictors to help...like Midodrine. Florinef will also help to retain fluids. These two meds are the first line treatments (for those needed medication intervention) and can be used together (I take both).

Sounds like you definitely need medication intervention.

[Healthgirl]

Originally Posted by stillHoping

Have you tried Florinef ?
If increased water and salts intakes helps, then Florinef is supposed to increase their affect.

Haven't tried yet

[Healthgirl]

Originally Posted by en bloc

Not sure why it didn't help (even a little)...unless you just peed it all out too quickly. Fluids is NOT the only reason your BP drops.

If blood is pooling in your feet when you stand and causing your BP to drop then you need vaso-constrictors to help...like Midodrine. Florinef will also help to retain fluids. These two meds are the first line treatments (for those needed medication intervention) and can be used together (I take both).

Sounds like you definitely need medication intervention.

Here I am the next day and I'm wondering if the infusion did help. I'm more alert and less lightheaded. Still not how I'd like to feel, but thats another story.
Could it have shocked me, but then helped in such a delayed way?

If they can't figure out what happened to me and how to treat the cause then unfortunately I will have to embrace the symptom medications. There is only so long I am going to live like this. I've decided that life is too short to keep hoping I'll have a normal life again. I just wonder how much these meds do help.

[DavidHC]

One way to tell is to repeat the process again as you would with any experiment and see what the result is. I can see it taking longer to work, but that's just a hunch.

But mainly I wanted to say I have only empathy for what you say and for your frustration. It's the predicament we're in and I agree with your assessment of it all. Wishing you the best

Originally Posted by Healthgirl

Here I am the next day and I'm wondering if the infusion did help. I'm more alert and less lightheaded. Still not how I'd like to feel, but thats another story.
Could it have shocked me, but then helped in such a delayed way?

If they can't figure out what happened to me and how to treat the cause then unfortunately I will have to embrace the symptom medications. There is only so long I am going to live like this. I've decided that life is too short to keep hoping I'll have a normal life again. I just wonder how much these meds do help.