Low sodium blood level

I have the same issue. Last year my sodium was 125 in hospital, had salt tablets 3x a day.
Being followed by nephrologist and also restricted to 1 liter of fluids a day.
They said it was from my lung disease.
So far my sodium levels have been 132. I am very strict with fluid intake but you are right, my mucous is thick and difficult to bring up. I always loved water so restriction is difficult. Sometimes I go over 1 liter in a day!

Thank-you for your reply, can I ask do you nebulize? If so what? And how many times a day? Is there any chance this is only a temporary issue.

Continued- would like to hear your complete story if you don’t mind, and in return I will share mine. Maybe we can help each other out in some way. Probably either e-mail or text or phone I guess. Don’t know if we can do private messages here or not. Let me know.

Yes I nebulize twice a day with NS. I didnt tolerate hypertonic saline.
I put salt on my food too, dont have high blood pressure.

Just in case: Is any of you taking Lexapro? It caused low blood sodium levels when I took it.

No I’ve never been on Lexapro.

I have had low sodium for years. The condition is called syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone. The cause for me is unknown but probably is related to my lung condition. I am on fluid restriction and have a supply of salt tablets on hand. Your sodium level measured with blood test should be between 134 and 145 though you can tolerate slightly lower levels. 122 is dangerously low and should be managed with fluid restriction.

Mary Jane Childs
Marietta, GA

Mary Jane, thank-you for your reply. May I ask what your lung condition is? I have PF & BE. I have been diagnosed for about 3 1/2 years. Never had this problem until recent lung infection. My disease of BE creates a lot of extra mucus, does yours? If so how can we do proper airway clearance without being well hydrated??? All of the airway clearance helps to prevent reoccurring lung infections. I never had low sodium since diagnosed. Until the lung infection, so I’m assuming that was the cause. But is it always permanent. I realize it’s a double edged sword, damned if you do or don’t. Anything you want to call it. But how do you specifically manage your condition? I will gladly take any advice & help I can get. Thank -you.

I have bronchiectasis and am being treated for MAC (been on the Big 3 for 13 months testing negative since April of this year) and chronic pseudomonas. My BE is the dry kind so I have very little mucous and find it difficult to get a sputum sample. I believe my SIADH is a permanent condition because I have had it for over 10 years. I do daily airway clearance with 7% saline even though I produce very little sputum. I think the sodium is helpful in creating an unpleasant atmosphere for the bacteria.
The low sodium was difficult to manage at first but you will soon develop a routine and you will know exactly how much water you can drink. You may need weekly testing (if your doctor will allow it) until you settle on the right amount. I measure my allotted amount of water each night and then spread it out over the next day. I find I am thirstier at night so I plan to have water available at the end of the day. Also, you need to account for hot weather when you can increase your fluids to keep from getting dehydrated. It is a delicate balancing act but you will eventually develop a system that is easy to manage.

Mary Jane Childs
Marietta, Ga

Thank-you. But that brings up another question, how do you get the necessary salt if you’re only drinking water?? Just from your food diet I assume. I had previously cut out salt from my diet completely when possible, or would eat or drink low sodium items, I wonder if that made a difference??? Sounds like it could have.