Salt

Notime4lyme said...
I had the exact same thing. I always thought it was because I was on the Marshall Protocol (which I would not recommend) I thought it was the blood- pressure medications at too high doses that were screwing me up. Other people never had the same problem as me who were taking the same amount though, so maybe it is something the Lyme does. I thought I had an adrenal problem, but I guess I didn't because the endocrinologist never said anything about it to me.

For me what helped me was going to the hospital and they put me on a IV. I was hallucinating for a week, but then I got better. It was terrible. They had to limit my water intake, and my kidneys weren't working right. I think the IV minerals were the only thing that helped.

But the strange thing with the salt ended up going away. In I think a month or two. I've had episodes of dehydration and salt cravings since then, but if I eat something salty they go away quickly. Also I was very underweight so that probably contributed to everything. The only lingering symptom is that ever since then I have a bartonella rash. I'm not sure why.

I've also thought of porphyrias. But I'm not sure exactly how I would be diagnosed with one. I know there is some kind of genetic problem in the family though.

I know this is kind of long, but I hope it is helpful.

A few questions:

Have you gotten your mineral levels in your blood tested? Maybe you are low on a mineral. I was very low on sodium.

Have you gotten your adrenal hormones tested? Is ADH adrenal hormone? Maybe that is what is causing the salt cravings. Could you take some natural adrenal hormone supplements?

Are you on any medications that are affecting your mineral levels? You could ask your doctor. Also you could look into leaky gut. That might cause diarrhea.

Are you losing weight? My problem was that the whole salt thing or something was making me lose weight very fast. I just couldn't eat.

I would say the best thing would be to go to a doctor and get some blood tests. Hopefully you aren't as bad off as I was.

Aerose91 said...
Lately I've been thinking more and more that there has to be something else going on with me. This has been utterly horrific for 6.5 years, and after 8 months of very high doses of Buhner herbs for bartonella, nothing has changed.

My insane dissociation, psychosis, salt issues, histamine intolerance.... all make me wonder if there's something on top of the infection(s) holding me back. That's why im so curious about pyrolria, porphyria and stuff like that

NotQuiteAntonio said...
Some of those symptoms sound like what's experienced with electrolyte imbalances. Also, you mentioned needing to eat sodium in combination with potassium. I can't explain the science, because I'm forgetful, but they play off one another in the body. Sodium-potassium pumps.

A normally functioning person consuming a balanced diet should be getting all of the necessary vitamins and minerals.

The fact that you're craving salt means something in your body needs it in some way. I mean, there's always the "I like salty foods" aspect that plays a part, but you know what I mean. I'm thirsty, because my body needs fluids. I'm hungry, because I need fuel. I want some salt, because X.

Low antidiuretic hormone. You're diuresing too much of your fluids. Though, being dehydrated would cause those electrolytes to become concentrated in the body, correct? Do you drink a lot of water to offset that? You've had lab work done, like a BMP? What were your most recent results?

You said, it doesn't matter how much I take it - just as things like hyponatremia, hypomagnesemia exist, so do hypernatremia, etc. You can have too much as well.

If you're really curious about your fluid balance, do an intake and output on yourself, see what the balance is between the two. Get a urinal, measure it all out.

I've never had issues quite like this. Though, I have washed out too many of my electrolytes before, leading to change in LOC, palpitations, muscular issues, etc. I've been hospitalized for it. I used to measure my intake, but now I just drink when I'm thirsty and hold off when I start to feel... just an aura of too much fluid volume, I guess.

This is a very interesting case. I wish I could help more. My brain's not so good. I can't pull all the information out I'd like for you. It's like your body is not regulating your electrolyte balance properly. The low ADH would cause that, fluid balance.

Hormonal issue. Hypothalamus, pituitary gland.

What's that disorder that causes low ADH, diabetes insipidus?

As for the rest, there's a lot of things that could be layered on top of one another, holding you back, like you said. It's crazy.

Leaky gut, parasites, Bart, etc.

I'm sure you suffer from something more, yeah. That's the problem for a lot of us. I wish I could help.

Best wishes