electrolyte cautionary tale

[Sue777]

You're right, Joe. Even though what I use is an RO/DI unit, the unit she was referring to that she drinks from is only "RO", NOT DI.

Big difference, and she should not be losing the good stuff unless what she has is, in fact, an RO/DI unit.
Sue

[humbird753]

Joe, thank you for clarifying in detail the difference between the DI and the RO water. Where do you get this knowledge? There is so much we "need to know" when having MC. And, although hydration is critical, I didn't think it meant more than just getting water, so I have not spent any time reading on that topic.

So I am curious - what would be a highly recommended source of water?

I am still at high risk for dehydration (on a daily basis), as is anyone else here who is in a flare

Would appreciate hearing opinions of what type or brand of water others drink.

Thank you.

Paula

[tex]

I get water from a rural public water system. The water is pumped from wells in the Edwards aquifer, and the aquifer is recharged locally, in mostly undeveloped ranch land. It seems to be much better water than what's available in the surrounding cities. Most cities around here get their water from surface lakes.

Tex

[Joefnh]

Hi Paula, as far as where I get my information from....I'm a long term recovering physicist LOL :-)(basically a science geek).... I work for MIT and am involved wth the science and development of unique optical systems. Part of what I do Paula has to do with the growth and fabrication of ultra-pure crystalline structures and throughout that process we use ultra-pure water (DI water) and even some RO water. BTW the first step towards making DI water is to first filter it through a RO water filter.

As far as what's best, well that up to you. What I mean is that if you are worried about and have a water system that has floride or little arsenic in it, something like an RO water filter with a carbon filter would eliminate those and any bacterium in the water. Remember just about all bottled water is just city water that has been filtered most likely through a RO water filter system.

Most folks are not concerned or notice that the water they drink contains some small amount of minerals, arsenic, or iron oxide and bits of bacteria in it. Our systems normally handle this fine and here in the US our water is dramatically better than what's found in various developing nations across the globe.

If electrolytes are what's needed (sodium, calcium, potassium etc...) there are the sports drinks with a significant amount of added minerals and I believe I have seen on the board here a couple of good recipes for making your own electrolyte rich drink.

I think to answer your question about what the best water is, it really comes down to what you are comfortable with and what your tastes are. I'm not sure having a filter or not with the exception of a small amount of floride will make that much difference in your health.

If you have your own well water then it's most likely just a matter of personal taste. Some well water has a higher concentration of salts, iron oxide or sulfur which can add a taste and smell to your water, none of which is harmful at all....juts personal preference.

Personally I like the 'taste' of RO water and given that I am taking an immune suppressant, I like knowing that the water I drink at home at least is a pure clean source. Again this is more of personal preference or comfort level than any real hard facts.

[humbird753]

Thanks again, Joe. We are fortunate to have so many knowledgeable people like yourself on this forum.

Mickey - Hoping you are feeling better.

Paula

[mickjcat]

Thanks Joe and Sue!

I do think my lack of nourishment has contributed to the problems I fight with. I am trying to add in foods as quickly as I can to help.

I had to go to the doctor yesterday with the same low bp 84/54 and high heart rate for me 90. My heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest and I was shaking and weak.
The doctor have me 45% solution of sodium chloride and 5% solution of dextrose. I felt better after that...
.
They are running blood test for minerals and liver and kidneys....

I am on my own discontinuing pro-enz, and phoshatidylserine. I didn't seem to have this problem before I took these two supplements.

It has been challenging and scary here the last week.....

[Sue777]

You've probably already been checked for this, but when my blood pressure got very low and my heart rate got very high (about 5 years) ago, it turned out to be my thyroid.

Sue

[mickjcat]

Hi Sue,

I will ask Sept. 4th when I get some other blood tests back to see if they checked it at my annual on April 25th. Of course, things could have gone south since then.

I really think I was feeling better with the flare and eating what I wanted before I knew what was wrong with me. Of course, I don't miss the raging gut.

Thanks again everyone for your support!

[mickjcat]

Thanks Paula!