Does anyone else have low sodium levels in their bloods? If so, did you experience any adverse effects?
I think mine is low because I drink about 4 litres of water a day (I came out of the womb thirsty - however i think being low in blood sodium could be contributing to my IBS-C. The reason I say that is because I notice my stuck digestion kicks in soon after i take a electrolyte supplement (I've been doing this for the last few days).
Anyhow, any information or advice you could give me would be wonderful and much appreciated.
All the best.
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SydneySider123
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It is possible to drink too much water - 2 litres a day is recommended. Have you mentioned to the GP that you are thirsty all of the time? Have you been checked for you blood sugar levels? Excessive thirst can be related to diabetes (I'm not saying you've got it, but it's worth checking out). Sodium helps to balance the water in your body including your intestines. If the electrolytes are working for you, sounds like you are onto something - but if drinking excess water is putting things out of balance maybe you won't need the electrolytes? I have IBS-C and a low sodium diet. I wondered if low sodium was contributing to my hard stools, so a added a little salt to my food - this made my constipation worse - I then read that excess salt in the blood can rob the intestine of water to help remove it from the blood stream - so there's a fine balance somewhere.
Thanks so much for your response. Yes, my doctor mentioned checking my sugar levels. I've been tested before because I have always had this thirst thing. I have IBS-C (incomplete BMs) with lose stools (go figure).
The IBS seems to be a motility thing for me (is that common? maybe?). I think around 80% of it is driven by stress. I've been in what I would describe as stressful jobs for years. When I'm on holidays or home resting, my digestion improves greatly - but there just aren't enough holidays or rest days to make up for the hundreds of stressful days. It's time to find a new job me thinks....not the first time i've had that thought but finding something new to do is a little bit difficult and a blow to the ego/pride if i'm honest.
Sorry, that turned out to be more like a true confession than a reply.
When you say you have "IBS-C (incomplete BMs) with lose stools" - the loose stools may be overflow. This is where liquid food comes up against compacted stool but has no where to go so it creeps around the edges. I get this when I get backed up. It's annoying because you would have thought that constipation means you can't go, but because of overflow it can leave me tied to the house urgently rushing to the loo like diarrhea does. I take Magnesium Oxide on an empty stomach at night to draw water into the bowels and help me have a BM. However, it can cause electrolyte imbalances so you'd need to be careful with that.
In regards to motility have you been diagnosed with slow transit? I have been told I have an extra long loopy colon, which means that stools will take much longer than average to pass through. Since they stay in the colon for longer too much water from the stool gets reabsorbed before it can exit creating hard stools and constipation. I am also trying to gradually increase my fibre intake to replace the Magnesium Oxide since fibre draws in water.
I too had a very stressful job with near impossible deadlines which in the end turned my IBS from manageable to chronic - a lot of low fodmap foods that I couldn't previously tolerate gave me intense pain, so I ended up on a highly restricted diet which I couldn't juggle alongside work. Institutions are expecting far too much from people these days to generate more profits for shareholders and huge bonuses for top bosses. The employee is the pawn in the game. It's a sad fact that employees need to learn the art of pushing back in a reasonable way. Companies should have a duty of care to their employees. Some companies are more progressive than others. I'm wondering if a confidential word with an understanding line manager about how your work is affecting your health, might help them to back off and make your work more tolerable? In that way you don't have to find something else?
So comforting to hear you say "too had a very stressful job with near impossible deadlines which in the end turned my IBS from manageable to chronic - a lot of low fodmap foods that I could previously tolerate gave me intense pain, so I ended up on a highly restricted diet which I couldn't juggle alongside work."
I am in the same boat. The list of foods I feel like i can easily digest has become so small and involves a lot of food prep from me - which is another time stress i could live without. Blah blah blah
I take your point about the talk with my boss, and i have done this in the last few weeks when things have become pretty much unmanageable. My boss has been lovely and is allowing me to work from home this whole week. I just need to get through today and next week, then i have 4 weeks recreation leave. I'll see how my digestion changes when i'm not at work for 4 weeks.
What did you end up doing in relation to your stressful job? How's your list of tolerable foods and your IBS now?
So great that you have talked to your boss, that they are understanding and allowing you to work from home. Brilliant that you have 4 weeks off due. It should do you the world of good.
I worked freelance and my symptoms became chronic after my last contract finished 18 months ago. I've been unable to work since then. I am very lucky that I am of an age when I have been able to consider bringing forward a decision to retire early, which is what I am going to do. It will mean living frugally. Though I have previously spent years juggling IBS with work, so I know how hard it is. I went through a long period of IBS-D and I used to sit in meetings wondering when I'd next need to rush to the loo. The school boy humour jibes from my male work colleagues didn't help. The fodmap diet cured me of that thankfully. However, my predominant symptom is now IBS-C and intestinal pain. The only things I could consume without being in intense pain was white rice, protein and certain vegetables three times a day and taking Magnesium Oxide to help me have a BM due to lack of fibre. I have been on Lincalotide for IBS-C and intestinal pain for a month or so now, although it hasn't helped with the BMs, it has helped with the pain. Instead of white rice I can now eat porridge with added oat bran and raisins, buckwheat pasta, potatoes with skins and quinoa which is a big step forward. I have been able to reduce the Magnesium Oxide dose. I will continue to test foods, but this is going to take some time.
Have a lovely time off and hope you find some relief soon.
I'm sorry, I can't understand what you are saying about the electrolytes, are you saying you think they bung you up. I'm sorry I am feeling really shit today (excuse the pun) and can't think straight. It is just that I was thinking about trying some electrolytes and don't want to bung myself up or alternatively end up the other way either. I normally have D but have been trying not to keep going back to the toilet and end up with C then. So I was thinking the electrolytes might help me get more fluid into my system. I don't know if what I am trying to say makes any sense to you.
No need to apologize, i totally understand feeling like shit and the associated brain fog. I hope that clears for you soon.
The electrolytes seem to help with my digestion - but I definitely have an electrolyte imbalance. It's just that i didn't realise the impact it could be having on my system. So, yeah, they seem to be helping (not 100% sure) and i added a little pink rock salt to my evening meal last night. It tasted amazing.
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- however i think being low in blood sodium could be contributing to my IBS-C. The reason I say that is because I notice my stuck digestion kicks in soon after i take a electrolyte supplement (I've been doing this for the last few days).
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