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Member since 4/30/05
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Posted on: 1/29/08 1:12 PM ET
There is lo'ts of flu and respiratory bugs going around right now. I know some people are tired of being told to get plenty of fluids when they are sick, but we just went through an ordeal this weekend that drastically illustrated what can happen if your fluid intake gets too low.

Mom and Dad have both been sick for a week. Friday night Mom spent the whole night coughing and throwing up. By morning she was so disoriented that she did not know where she was. At the hospital they did a chest x ray and cat scan that were both normal but her bloodwork showed that she was dangerously low on sodium and potassium. For awhile we were relieved that all they needed to do was to pump fluid in her to get these levels back up. They did tell us that low levels of these 2 things could possibly cause a seizure. Not 15 minutes later, Mom had a seizure and would not wake up from it. The next half hour was a very scary blur in my mind as my Dad and me were sent out of the room, they called a Code blue on her because she had stopped breathing, the hallway was full of people and machines and it seemed forever before we knew that we still had her and she was going to ICU. She spent 2 nights in ICU and 24 hours on a ventilator. All this time she did not know what was happening and kept trying to pull the hose out and climb out of bed. They had to keep her VERY sedated to keep her in bed.
Now she is back in a regular room and getting better. Her mind is back and she knows what is going on now. We haven't told her the whole story yet. They expect to send her home in a few days. Crisis seems to be over now.

If you are sick drink, drink, drink. Gatorade, fruit juice etc. anything to keep those electrolytes in balance. It can happen to anyone no matter how healthy you were before you got sick. Mom is 67 but she was in excellent health and in just a few days time was in grave danger.
  
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Posted on: 1/29/08 1:20 PM ET
In reply to AliceM
Alice, what a scare, and thank you for reminding us of this!
We went through much of the same with my Mom recently. With her, she got depressed and went through a refusal to eat or drink, then on top of that got a stomach virus while in the hospital for her hips.
Now, they have her on maganese, and she is eating whatever won't eat her first!
I'm so glad they were able to revive your Mom. 67 is too young to lose someone like that!
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Posted on: 1/29/08 2:02 PM ET
In reply to AliceM
A very timely reminder and one we all easily lose sight of from time to time.

The retirement community where my Mom has been for the past 4 years is very much on top of hydration, not only in assisted living and nusring care, but also the independent and semi-independent folks. It has been a very real reminder for me.

So glad to hear your Mom is on the mend. DH is 68 and that is way to young to call it a day!!!
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Re: Dont get dehydrated!!!!! (posted on 1/29/08 2:12 PM ET)
I'm sorry to hear about your mom and glad she is healing. Two days before Christmas my dad was put into the hospital from dehydration. He had the stomach flu the week before and his potassium levels got too low and he almost passed out while Christmas shopping. He waited until the dizzy spell passed and then drove himself to the hospital. Very dangerous!
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Member since 9/29/02
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Re: Dont get dehydrated!!!!! (posted on 1/29/08 2:58 PM ET)
Dehydration is very dangerous, leading to all the things people have mentioned as well as to bladder infections. Now, that doesn't sound too scary except in older people, bladder infections can caused demented behavior, hallucinations, etc. This happened to my Mom and she ended up in hospital for a week! She's all right but it is surprising what something so innocuous sounding can do to you.
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Member since 4/30/05
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Posted on: 1/29/08 3:11 PM ET
We knew dehydration could be a bad thing, but neither me or Dad had any clue exactly how bad it could get or how fast. He is feeling better now and is being very careful to drink his gatorade. He says that the next time they get sick he is going to order a tanker truck load of it!
  
Member since 8/29/06
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Posted on: 1/29/08 3:48 PM ET
In reply to AliceM
When well and eating moist foods, water is the main hydration choice, but when ill, we really need something in the line of Gatorade (NAYY).
  
Member since 6/6/04
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Posted on: 1/29/08 4:04 PM ET
I add sodium (salt) to my children's juices and water when they are extremely sick and throwing up.

For those who don't like the dye and sugar in Gatorade you can pick up Recharge at most health food and many regular grocerers. (NAYY)
  
Member since 5/8/04
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Posted on: 1/29/08 10:40 PM ET
In reply to AliceM
Oh, how scary for all of you. I am glad that your Mom is doing better and hopefully will be home very soon.

Thanks for the reminder of staying hydrated while you are ill with the flu and especially with a temp. Unfortunately a sewing teacher I had in the 80's had a son who ignored his temp and died from dehydration. He was only a year younger than me. Her story has made a huge impression on me and I always insist on lots of liquids for anyone who is sick. Especially the elderly and the young adults who are ignorant or forget why we need liquids when we are ill. As parents we can watch our children when they are at home and take care of them, but once there out the door...
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Posted on: 1/30/08 9:23 AM ET
Smart Water (NAYY) is like Pedialyte or Gatorade but much cheaper than Pedialyte and without all the artificial stuff of Gatorade. It's sold in every supermarket chain around here plus Trader Joe's. I drink it a lot in summer when I tend to lose electrolytes quickly. In winter I like good old fashioned chicken soup or vegetable soup. Just throw a bunch of veggies in a pot with some water, salt to taste or not.
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