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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 6/3/2012 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Everyone,

I was wondering if any of you have problems maintaining your fluid and electrolyte levels. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances have plagued me for years. I'm on TPN, and even with 160 meq of potassium and 250 meq of sodium, I still manage to have lab results which show one or both is low.

In terms of hydration, I have to drink a ridiculous amount of fluids each day to stay hydrated. I mix electrolyte tablets into my bottled water to make sure I don't end up with water toxicity. I also drink Gatorade to ensure better absorption of the fluid and electrolytes.

Anyway, is this a problem for anyone else? I hate making sure I always have fluids with me wherever I go. And the electrolyte tablets aren't cheap, so that's a burden as well. Am I alone in this problem, or is it common? Thanks!

Brian
Posted 6/3/2012 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
I often need gatorade to make my brain work.. when your electrolytes are off its so hard to function.. I would talk to your TPN manager.. they can adjust things :)
Posted 6/3/2012 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Try coconut water, high in potassium and very high in electrolytes.
Posted 6/3/2012 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Before diagnosis, I noticed I was extremely thirsty all of the time. I only drank water, and was never satisfied. Every time i did a urine test, results would come back saying i'm dehydrated. I think electrolytes are crucial, but you can obtain them through food. Unfortunately for the bulk of us, when you have these inflammatory bowel diseases, one broken switch in the stomach stops the digestion process and flushes everything out of the system.

Supplementing with Emergen-C packets will help, along with coconut water (my favorite) and gatorade.

You should see if you can find out if you have Low Aldosterone, these are usually the symptoms.
Posted 6/3/2012 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
My TPN has been adjusted many times in terms of electrolytes and hydration. They can't put more potassium in without it becoming dangerous, because I already get above the maximum hourly dose. The sodium is pretty high as well.

Thanks for the tips as well. I've never tried coconut water, but I've heard that it's great for electrolytes. Instead of Emergen-C, I use Nuun electrolyte tablets, which work pretty well.

I'll have to ask my doctor about my Aldosterone. I have blood work all the time for my TPN, but I don't think that they test for it. I see him tomorrow, so I'll definitely bring it up.
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