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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by WaterSapphire on August 27, 2008, at 12:43:18
My serum electolytes are normal as of late when I get them checked, but this seems to be an inaccurate picture of my daily struggles. I am sharing here, even though I have posted on the alternative medication board. In most cases, I do not believe supplements are a cure all for mental illness and that those of us with such a hard time need a multi-faceted approach. But, even seeing my moods on here, how I have suffered for the past so many days when trying not to take a magnesium supplement in particular just has me floored. SO after a couple days or so of eating sunflower seeds and having whole grains (I always have whole grains), and having almonds yesterday and in the morning...I am finally somewhat more level. This is an ongoing problem. I wake up thirsty and feeling dehydrated and sometimes have to have a sports drink. I am physically and mentally affected by this on a daily basis. This is not in my head. I know that in Colorado, on more than one occasion I had low magnesium and potassium. I have not been able to go long enough without it for probably any serum tests to be even accurate now. I really think I am losing these things and at times I am losing salt too. I really do. I just so wish I could get one doctor to help me with this instead of just listening and blowing me off. It gets so bad, I cannot even hardly get up off the floor if squatting down to put something away or even to type, or do a simple chore. I get weak and fumbly...not to mention feel like I am losing my mind. My husband and family have seen this first hand. My husband cannot believe how much better I am when I take something so simple. It just bugs me, that not one specialist I have seen about this (two) has cared to go further into finding out what the problem is. I do have to see an endo, but I want some validation and help. Is that so wrong? I think not. How many people out there suffer like this and could be helped by a few simple things? Not everyone I know, but there have got to be others like me. I feel relaxed today and am able to see straight and walk ok because of eating too much food with too much magnesium...and a good big glass of gatorade. NOW this is weird!
Ok, that is my rant. Take it or leave it.
:)
Good day fellow babblersChelle
Posted by Phillipa on August 27, 2008, at 12:53:57
In reply to Electrolytes, and my personal struggle in sanity, posted by WaterSapphire on August 27, 2008, at 12:43:18
Geez that is strange. Adrenals okay as crave salt if not okay. I've had not good experiences with two endos as they don't go by how I feel but if your's is in blood testing might be good. Is there a name for your condition? I don't know your history. Phillipa
Posted by WaterSapphire on August 27, 2008, at 13:04:20
In reply to Re: Electrolytes, and my personal struggle in sanity » WaterSapphire, posted by Phillipa on August 27, 2008, at 12:53:57
No name for my condition...I am on the undiagnosis train lol. It used to be low on a few occasions blood wise...oh and my calcium was low on one occasion recently. My sodium was high back in Feb and March (not above the range), but high with chloride levels...but I was suffering severe dehydration and went to the ER three times for it. The nephrologist I had then automatically assumed since I had salt cravings, and yes I admitted to him before he did a 24 hour urine that I had been craving salt and drinking pickle juice, that because of an abnormally high 24 hour test showing large amounts of sodium, and other things were going out with it...that I just ate too much salt. UHHHH, well I have done better with the salt and mind you I am not doing that well with it lol. My last blood test showed my sodium level at 136 (normal but the bottom number on the range) and I had like 2500 mg-3000 mg the day before. The first nephrologist told me not to eat much salt. I wish I could do that because I have high blood pressure, but it seems
when I eat too little salt I get ill as well. My new doctor told me he does not want me eating low salt because he thinks this will hurt me and wants me to drink a big glass of gatorade every single day. I wonder about the adrenal stuff too and am trying to get help for it. Thing is with high blood pressure being a problem on and off, the doctors then dismiss other possible causes instead of maybe looking at it anyways. My pcp did start some testing. Money and transportation are the limiting factors...oh and wasting time with certain doctors like this other nephrologist I just saw. What a waste of time. Thanks for the post and sorry I wrote so long lol...
have a good day Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on August 27, 2008, at 19:20:56
In reply to HI Philippa, posted by WaterSapphire on August 27, 2008, at 13:04:20
Sounds very complicated to me. Good luck. I have no idea what it is. Phillipa
Posted by Hygieia's Bowl on August 27, 2008, at 21:19:46
In reply to HI Philippa, posted by WaterSapphire on August 27, 2008, at 13:04:20
Delicate question:
Is your urinary output excessive?
Has a potential for Diabetes Insipidus ever come up in your medical discussions?
Posted by WaterSapphire on August 27, 2008, at 23:33:44
In reply to Re: » WaterSapphire, posted by Hygieia's Bowl on August 27, 2008, at 21:19:46
Thank you for asking. No question too delicate for me lol. As a matter of fact, in the late winter and early fall that is what I was scared about when I first went to this one nephrologist. He thought maybe, but even though I was goin 30 times a day...and drinking quite a bit...I was not drinking enough and having enough output according to my weight and the results fro the one 24 hour urine. We had mold in our one apartment and at the time I didn't know it could cause kidney problems if it indeed was toxic. I think I did have diabetes insipidus during this time. I used to be considered diabetic which is different, but the doctors all say no since February. Now my urine volume is like a third of what it was, and I am thirsty but only drink like 8 cups or fluid a day. I am down to running 10 times lol. But thank you for your thoughts. I think this is so complicated, that I dunno if I will ever get answers lol.
Hope all is well with you
chelle
Posted by WaterSapphire on August 27, 2008, at 23:35:29
In reply to Re: HI Philippa » WaterSapphire, posted by Phillipa on August 27, 2008, at 19:20:56
Thats ok, Phillipa..
I have no idea either. Isn't that what the doctors are for? Now, to just get one to do what they need to do...that is the issue lol..Hope all is well
Posted by rskontos on August 28, 2008, at 16:25:08
In reply to Hi Hygeia's bowl, posted by WaterSapphire on August 27, 2008, at 23:33:44
Water Sapphire,
Like you I had a lot of symptoms that I thought something had to be off, I kept going to my internist and she ran several blood test and said no everything looks good. I went to the gyn and told him my ailments. Said story, all is well. I finally told a friend, a chiropractor that is into holistic meds and she is the chiro that went to regular college so she has a different degree, she recommended I go to this holistic, or more alternative clinic ran by a md and two l lpn's. They ran a more indepth look at my blood, and are running a salvia test for hormones, results take three weeks. They also did a some type of panel to check for celiac's disease, and to get my gut functions. Anyway,
already they have found my thyroid functions are whacked, I am anemic which can be caused by thyroid conditions and my vitamin level is extremely low. And we still have the results of the hormones and neurotransmitters to come back.They put me on thyroid meds, vitamin supplements and probiotics. I am feeling somewhat better. It helps too, knowing I was not wrong. The doc told me it would take three months for my blood to be built back up, and the thyroid they will retest this week to see how those meds are working.
I asked her why don't other gp's run these tests, she said, I really don't know why. They just chalk it up to either age or stress when it is not always the case.
Try to find a clinic like the one I found. My is called Integrative Health. They have been a godsend.
rsk
Posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2008, at 21:58:27
In reply to Re: Hi Hygeia's bowl » WaterSapphire, posted by rskontos on August 28, 2008, at 16:25:08
Too many docs chalk pschiatric and other conditions up to mental issures and all along it is physical. I recently e-mailed an old poster from here she had a high powered job lots of stress was being treated for bipolar her husband got her in a thyroid and hormone study. Turns out problems were both and now she's med free quit the high stress job and doing photography. So glad you took that extra step that is great. Phillipa
Posted by WaterSapphire on August 29, 2008, at 0:51:37
In reply to Re: Hi Hygeia's bowl » WaterSapphire, posted by rskontos on August 28, 2008, at 16:25:08
Hey there, I have thought about doing this too.
I know my vitamin D is low...but aside from that
have got a bit of further testing to do. Hopefully, when things look up for my husband and I and I have the ability to go further and do what I need to I can pursue the option again. It is so funny you mention integrative health. I went to a place called that...at least that was part of the name in Colorado Springs years back before we had to move here. The doctor there is the one that first diagnosed me with a magnesium deficiency. He got frustrated with me and was very very busy with so much stuff at the time, but he was a really good doctor. I had to stop seeing him when we moved an hour away there, and then I ended up out of state. If these run of the mill doctors cannot do something soon, or get on the right track in the next few months...I am going to schedule an appointment at such a place for sure. My mom and I were discussing this earlier today. I hope you continue to get better with your treatment. I am supposed to see an endocrinologist next Wednesday, so long as my mom doesn't end up having to get surgery earlier. She is ill and has problems poor thing and has got to get sinus surgery again. I want her to see an integrative doctor along with all the other mess she is in...Thank you
Chelle
Posted by WaterSapphire on August 29, 2008, at 0:55:51
In reply to Re: Hi Hygeia's bowl » rskontos, posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2008, at 21:58:27
Ditto that philippa...
I definitely have to agree. There are many (and I do believe mental health is a physical problem), but many mental issues that are directly caused or indirectly caused by other illness or an insidious reason. It is too bad they don't really really really look into this more...and I mean dig. I know it is costly, time consuming, and inconvenient. But, maybe it would save some folks...from suffering...> Too many docs chalk pschiatric and other conditions up to mental issures and all along it is physical. I recently e-mailed an old poster from here she had a high powered job lots of stress was being treated for bipolar her husband got her in a thyroid and hormone study. Turns out problems were both and now she's med free quit the high stress job and doing photography. So glad you took that extra step that is great. Phillipa
Posted by rskontos on August 30, 2008, at 14:02:15
In reply to Re: Phillipa, posted by WaterSapphire on August 29, 2008, at 0:55:51
WaterSapphire,
You know though my insurance has covered all these tests. And they are not that wonderful of an insurance co. So if the insurance company doesn't have a problem with why would the doctors not do the tests in the first place?
Makes you wonder huh
rsk
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