So far...so good. I have been going to acupuncturist and chiropractor for some time as I have, since HSE, had numbness in both feet and my left hand. That, along with the headaches, fevers, memory issues, etc. have been quite challenging in my recovery (now @ almost 23 months). Somehow electrolytes came up as one of my possible deficiencies. I drank some Gatorade and thought I noticed a little difference. But then I began to research what electrolytes are as well as what they do and found out that there is a major PH balance issue and that sugars (in the Gatorade) probably weren’t compatible with replacement of potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium…long term. I understand the concept as being that while electrolytes are not fuel for the muscles (including the brain) they are directly responsible for the neural transmission of all signals (coming and going). Maybe a Doc in this forum could explain it better than me. Last week I received electrolyte concentrate called e-lyte sport, diluted it properly and off I began. I was absolutely convinced that I’d become a major victim of The Placebo Effect†because within a very short time (hours) much of the pain (sciatica) in my hips as well as some of the numbness in my hand and feet diminished. Though it has been less than a week since I’ve begun (not over-doing it, mind you) having electrolytes in small amounts over the course of a day, there seems to be a fairly profound improvement! Headache has pretty much gone away for the first time since before the hospital. Numbness, while still there, seems to be subsiding. Since I’ve had lots of ups and downs in this journey since E, I am a little wary of posting too much optimism but, again, so far…so good.
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Electrolytes
- By writehanded
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 2:00 pm · 3 replies
- In Life after encephalitis
- Shared with the public
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- By SickOfBeingSick
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 9:30 pm
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Thanks for posting this. I have GI problems due to immune deficiency and my electrolytes almost always test low. I take a low-dose potassium supplement each day, but nothing else except what's in my multivitamin.
I still suffer from horrible headaches and pretty severe nerve pain in my forearms and hands. I remember now reading a discussion about magnesium helping headaches. I was going to see if I had some in my medicine cabinet and didn't even retain it in my memory long enough to look for it! That type of thing frustrates me to no end. Why is so very, very hard to learn new things or change my routine?
Writehanded, I also remember you posting about being a jeweler. I designed and made semi-precious stone jewelry for a while before I had meningitis. The first time I tried again to make jewelry it was so frustrating. I thought I would never be able to do it again. But now, just like you reported, my ability is to do fine work like that is coming back. Unfortunately, though, my eyesight isn't. Things are still blurry, there are tracers around objects and sometimes I see double. Sometimes I use a magnifying glass to work with anything small. I need to find the glasses I used to wear when working with jewelry.
Cathy
- By writehanded
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 11:20 pm
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Cathy, You're so right about eyesight "challenges". I work mostly under a microscope on the bench, in gemology or on the laserwelder. I seem to be forever adjusting the focus because my eyes seem to dance all over the place. I love it when my customer tells me how fun it must be to be a jeweler because I get to create beautiful things. Well it is fun starting and after I'm finished...but it's rather hellish in between right now. I do feel blessed to be able to continue on though. I don't know what will happen with the electrolyte thing but for now...it seems sooooo hopeful.
- By one_lil_red_hen
- Posted November 9, 2009 at 3:14 am
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Writehanded,
So glad to hear you are improving. Where do you get this e-lyte sport drink and are the instructions for mixing it on the bottle?
Even small breaks, regardless of how they come about are a God send. Hope this one holds out for the long haul.
I remember something about Tonic Water from another website support group I used to frequent, but can't remember now what it's purpose was. I do remember trying it, but that's all.
And yes, the vision problems are maddening. I saw a magnifying glass with a light on it the other day, don't remember where I was. Can't remember if it had a stand or not. Where did you get yours? I have been sewing this last month and I have two different pair of reading glasses that I use. Sometimes I use just the one pair, sometimes the other as it is stronger, and sometimes both at the same time. And when I stop and get up to move away, I'm practically blind, everything is sooooooo blurry. Let me know if you find anything besides a magnifier that will help with that.
Keep us posted on your progress.
~hen
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