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Suggest Treatment For Recurring Electrolyte Imbalance

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Posted on Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Twitter Thu, 13 Mar 2014 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 9 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on
Question : I have chronic hep c since 1991. I had seed implants for prostate Ca., 9/2009. Two weeks later, i started to have a problem with my sodium and potassium levels. My sodium was so low and potassium so high, i was hospitalized for 8 days until it was stabilized. I am bothered by the problem intermittently ever since. About every month or two i have this problem. I feel weak and i have a malaise. I take norvasc, 10 mgs. daily for high blood pressure, ambien 10mg. for sleep, occasionally lorazapam 2mg. twice daily, and sometimes Provigil, 200 mgs. 2 tabs daily for work shift disorder. Might any of the above cause my problem. My kindeys are normal in blood work.
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Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (8 hours later)
Brief Answer: Not caused by any of the above medications Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this electrolyte imbalance that has been recurring over the years. I have reviewed your medications and this procedure for prostate cancer but honestly none can explain why you are having this problem. What makes it even more confusing is the fact that it is not limited to a single electrolyte but alternates between potassium and sodium. It is a very difficult and atypical observation. Maybe a closer observation of your diet and these various episodes alongside some urine examination may be able to identify chances related to intake and excretion and suggest a possible mechanism for this occurrence. Keep a diary of your food intake, and these symptoms and laboratory findings for a more closer examination. I really feel so tempted to think this problem may be related with your diet and not a real problem with the hormonal balance because of the fluctuating nature between potassium and sodium. Please, why have you not sough treatment for hepatitis C? For your information, we now have highly effective regimen with very little side effects that gets the job done in as little as 12-24weeks maximum. I hope this helps and provides some more information for you to act on. Feel free o ask for clarification an more information if need be. I wish you well and thank you so much for using our services. Dr. Ditah, MD.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Chobufo Ditah

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Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6315 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Recurring Electrolyte Imbalance

Brief Answer: Not caused by any of the above medications Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this electrolyte imbalance that has been recurring over the years. I have reviewed your medications and this procedure for prostate cancer but honestly none can explain why you are having this problem. What makes it even more confusing is the fact that it is not limited to a single electrolyte but alternates between potassium and sodium. It is a very difficult and atypical observation. Maybe a closer observation of your diet and these various episodes alongside some urine examination may be able to identify chances related to intake and excretion and suggest a possible mechanism for this occurrence. Keep a diary of your food intake, and these symptoms and laboratory findings for a more closer examination. I really feel so tempted to think this problem may be related with your diet and not a real problem with the hormonal balance because of the fluctuating nature between potassium and sodium. Please, why have you not sough treatment for hepatitis C? For your information, we now have highly effective regimen with very little side effects that gets the job done in as little as 12-24weeks maximum. I hope this helps and provides some more information for you to act on. Feel free o ask for clarification an more information if need be. I wish you well and thank you so much for using our services. Dr. Ditah, MD.