Low Sodium

I'm new to this board.  I hope you will be able to help me.

Back in April (07) - we found out my mother had a brain tumor. We took for the biospy - was told by doctor it was smaller than he thought & sugery would be very good & easy for her.  But since this was a secondary tumor she need to have her doctor find the primary tumor - we did - it was the lung.  But we were told by her doctor that it was a small mass and after treating the brain he would concentrate on the lung.  I know - you're thinking why are you treating the brain when the first doctor said he would just remove it???  Well, my mom felt comfortable with the 2nd doctor and decided to go with his treatment plan - radiation to kill the brain tumor then probably meds & chemo for the lung.  After 23 rounds of radiation - my mother's health has declined so rapidly that we are now calling in hospice!!  We haven't even begun any lung treatment.  Our biggest problem right now seems to be keeping her sodium level up - which we can't - she has been in the hospital twice in the past 10 days for fluid - and that hasn't helped much either.  We are now seeking more opinions from other doctors outside our area - her doctor doesn't seem be concerned with getting her better - and won't help us with the sodium issue.  Do you have any ideas on how to increase her sodium intake??

On 7/8/2007 Sldbolt wrote:

I'm new to this board.  I hope you will be able to help me.

Back in April (07) - we found out my mother had a brain tumor. We took for the biospy - was told by doctor it was smaller than he thought & sugery would be very good & easy for her.  But since this was a secondary tumor she need to have her doctor find the primary tumor - we did - it was the lung.  But we were told by her doctor that it was a small mass and after treating the brain he would concentrate on the lung.  I know - you're thinking why are you treating the brain when the first doctor said he would just remove it???  Well, my mom felt comfortable with the 2nd doctor and decided to go with his treatment plan - radiation to kill the brain tumor then probably meds & chemo for the lung.  After 23 rounds of radiation - my mother's health has declined so rapidly that we are now calling in hospice!!  We haven't even begun any lung treatment.  Our biggest problem right now seems to be keeping her sodium level up - which we can't - she has been in the hospital twice in the past 10 days for fluid - and that hasn't helped much either.  We are now seeking more opinions from other doctors outside our area - her doctor doesn't seem be concerned with getting her better - and won't help us with the sodium issue.  Do you have any ideas on how to increase her sodium intake??

 

 

 

My mom was having a similar problem. Doctors wanted to put her on steroids because they said it was an adrenal gland problem. We refused, she had a lot of problems with steroids. We asked an accupuncturist and he actually said that if sodium is low than other things are "off" in your body and to try "Ermergen C." I have seen it before it is sold in some stores like Whole Foods or even a Pharmacy. It is a powder like fizzy drink. It seems to have helped, but I am not sure if it truly was this or coincidence.