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anonymous826938 Asked July 2018

My mother is 101. Apart from sight and hearing and Osteoporosis her only condition is low sodium levels 120-127. Any advice?

My mother 101 was admitted to the hospital 2 years ago when her sodium level dropped to 119 and she was on a drip for days. This was caused by her being on water tablets for too long- she really didn’t need them but her prescription hadn’t been checked over the years. For two years after that her levels were fairly regularly checked and she was okay but low. Now she has been in and out of the hospital three times in 5 weeks with low sodium levels ranging from 122- 127. The only thing offered was reduced fluids which has been difficult in the hot weather. She has been told that she must now live with these low levels and the symptoms because this is her norm. I’m wondering if anyone has advice on how to cope with this. Having been fit and active she’s now weak and drowsy and sometimes a little confused, all because of the low sodium.

anonymous826938 Jul 2018
Thank you both for helpful and supportive answers. It’s hard to watch someone of my mothers age who has no real health issues and is not on any medication apart from pain relief for Osteoporosis deteriorate , because of low sodium levels .

anonymous826938 Jul 2018
I’m not sure about a Nephrologist. I think that would be the equilevent of a Renal Specialist here in the UK. My mother has no Kidney problems and has been tested for everything that might cause low Sodium but everything is fine. She has a history of UTI’s and I wonder if these have caused it.

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anonymous826938 Jul 2018
Her Consultant is a Renal Specialist.

Ahmijoy Jul 2018
I wonder if seeing a dietician or nutritionist would help you to safely introduce more sodium into her diet. It drives me crazy when physicians say a patient “just has to live with it”, especially when it significantly impacts their lives.
anonymous826938 Jul 2018
I think seeing a nutritionist might be a good idea. Her Consultant in the hospital(Renal Specialist ) didn’t mention diet.
BarbBrooklyn Jul 2018
My mom had this a few years back; the doctors at the hospital were divided in their opinion about whether to withhold fluids or give her more sodium.

What kind of doctor are you seeking advice from? Has she seen a nephrologist?
anonymous826938 Jul 2018
In the hospital they managed to raise the level by reducing fluids but it dropped again fairly quickly. This hot weather we’ve had made it hard to refuse my mother drinks but she is sensible and doesn’t drink excessively

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