A couple of years ago, I was in the hospital for extremely low blood pressure (40/20) (and I was still relatively alert and I had walked into ER). A couple of days after I was admitted, my sodium level plummeted. They sent me to ICU where they were giving sodium infusions, sodium tablets, and making me drink tomato juice with 6 salt packets every hour. They were also checking my sodium levels every hour as well (blood draws which pretty much destroyed my veins). It wasn't until this spring that I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and Addison's disease, which helped to explain all of the salt cravings I've had and muscle cramping. I have to take hormones (Synthroid) the rest of my life, and my levels are still a long way from stable, but at least I can understand why this has been happening to me now.

I had a total colectomy (removal of colon) due to Ulcerative Colitis. This has been an ongoing problem because of liquid output in my ileostomy bag. I take supplements for electrolytes to try to keep on top of this, but I often feel mentally confused and off, lethargic and groggy, and sometimes there is a weird pressure in my head, not always a painful headache, but it feels weird. I am a big nerd and anal about spelling and when I am feeling mentally off I can't spell anything and verbally can't convey my thoughts. I am also tired and weak, have trouble sleeping, but other times will sleep for hours. It is very annoying. I often will feel sluggish and don't want to do anything by lie around.

I am 47 years old and have not been formally diagnosed with hyponatremia. I do drink a lot of water, and I do not consume a lot of salt. I am in excellent health other than this condition. I have most all of the symptoms that are mentioned in this website. I kept passing out. I am told it is because my blood pressure keeps bottoming out. I am on a very low dose of a beta blocker because I am told I have vasovagalsyncope. The beta blocker made my low blood pressure even lower which caused more dizziness. I have discovered that taking about 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of salt in the morning will actually stop all of my symptoms. I tried to increase my intake through food but it didn't seem to help.

My grandmother had what we thought was only a hypoglycemic event. However, she ended up having hyponatremia. She was severely disoriented, confused and had three seizures, each one worse and longer than the other. One thing that concerns me is that she has bowel and bladder changes. She is now dependent and wears a diaper. While her mental status is improving with IV and medication, I am hoping that there is no permanent damage to her brain.

My sodium has been running low the past several years. Two years ago I had an "episode," when I took a little mental vacation, and was admitted to the hospital for a week. During this time I also had pneumonia, which was discovered in the hospital. Until that time I was relatively healthy and very fit. What I can't understand is that I have high blood pressure (even with an active lifestyle) with hyponatremia. I don't drink an abnormal amount of fluids, but I do crave salty foods. Doctors have not been able to explain why I suddenly have this condition in a way I can understand it, so I walk around kind of paranoid that I might decide to "check out" at any time.

My stepdad is 53 and just had a seizure last night due to his sodium levels bottoming out. I still have research to do but the symptoms of this blood disorder fit him well, especially what happened yesterday and actually a week or two before. Vomiting, muscle spasms, and yesterday he was acting very nervous and a little confused all day and had the seizure in the afternoon. It was so scary. This is very serious and I hope people will take care of their loved ones with this disease.

My father became extremely ill ( trying to vomit with an empty stomach) because he was not eating. He has a history of high blood pressure. The G.P. doctor said he had a sinus and ear infection and treated it with antibiotics. There was no improvement and he still could not eat. He only drank water and ginger ale for 4 days. His sodium level was 112 when he was submitted to the hospital. It turned out that his kidney was not performing properly and everything else (not sure if the initial diagnose was correct) added up to a very scary Christmas experience. He was given medication to increase the sodium level which decreased his blood pressure to about 77/66, which was extremely low for someone with hypertension. The point is to get to the hospital if you cannot consume food and can only manage fluids. Otherwise it could be the start of a very dangerous adventure.