Sodium question
 

I'm trying different salts and electrolytes for my dysautonomia. Just so dizzy and foggy. I think I can say the mestinon isn't working.
So, if sodium is used as a laxative, how does it help us retain water? I'm looking to loose less fluids for low blood volume, not excrete it all out.

Hi HG!

The saline laxatives are sodium phosphates, which apparently work by drawing water into the bowel. The sodium you need is table salt...sodium chloride, which helps retain fluids in the body....when...this is important...you drink a lot of water. I found 3-4 liters a day helpful.

I liked the product "Nuun," for this...fizzy, good-tasting , and low in sugar. It helped me a lot. Easy to order on Amazon (not cheap, but less expensive than Gatorade, and without artificial ingredients.)

Unfortunately, I gave it up when I developed pretty severe edema (origin unknown so far).

Retention of water definitely helps dysautonomic symptoms!

Hope this clarifies things...

S

thanks, yes that does help. I'm using himalayan and celtic to try to retain fluids.
Do you think the excess of 3-4 liters could have caused your edema?

Looks that way, bit it sometimes returns when I'm on my feel for a long period....regardless of how much I'm drinking...

Just part of the fun guesswork of this unpredictable beast!

I was reading on a dysautonomia forum about other people with the predicament of retaining water, but having low bp and it seems that they have to get the water and the salt JUST right. I don't retain water enough- seems like it just goes right through. I'm on day 4 of trying to figure this out. I'm eating salt out of a little pill box. I didn't wake up as dizzy today, but every once in a while I get thrown one of these days, so can't be too sure if its the experiment or not.

I have high blood pressure....so although it seemed a salted electrolyte drink helped out, it probably wasn't a great idea. I only salt loaded for a few months.....As noted, I find it very difficult to determine what really is best.

I would suggest you drink a lot of water when you take those salt pills!

Time for you to talk to your doctor about medications to help bring your BP up...Midodrine and Florinef are first line treatments for dysautonomia.

You could also try coconut water (NOT juice or milk)...it is well known for best hydration fluid. Works very fast too. They have flavors (lemon & pineapple) if you don't like the plain.

Plain water is not the best option as it doesn't absorb as well as other fluids...and it runs through you too fast.

Yeah, I'm finding that I'm doing better with V8 and coconut water. I am drinking more and peeing less for the first time ever.