Dyazide and low sodium levels

[lilian123]

Anyone out there take Dyazide ? My Mom is 85 and in addition to Norvasc and Atenol, the doctor prescribed Dyazide(3x/wk.) for her swollen legs 2 weeks ago. Two nites ago she fell and was taken to the hospital. They found low sodium levels. Of course, I have to briefly get on my soapbox and ask why are doctors so unaware of the info that we can easily obtain on the internet like: test the blood in the initial weeks to observe the electrolyte balance, avoid taking additional potassium as this drug is potassium sparing(I had to tell Mom this!). And why, until now, has no one figured that water pill equals low sodium levels ?
And on top of everything Dr. Doofus who isn't the one who prescribed Dyazide initially orderd her to take it daily in the hospitaa. Mom tells me that she won't however. So hasanyone else had any experiences with this drug ?

[zuzu8]

Lilian- yes, it's pretty frightening that so many doctors are not up to date with pharmaceuticals.....

I see you've been doing your own research...good for you.
I was put on Dyazide at one time (solo, no other meds with it) and it really screwed up my POTASSIUM levels, even though it has a potassium -sparing agent in it. My sodium levels were not affected but I'm not 85 (!), and of course everyone is different anyway. The electrolytes include all the salts: sodium, potassium, chlorides etc.....
Even when my doctor added separate potassium supplements to the Dyazide, my potassium levels continued to PLUNGE.
Bye Bye Dyazide.

One of the problems with all meds is that they are metabolized very differently in elderly people, and yet many doctors (unless they deal with the elderly a lot and oh yeah, READ) continue to prescribe them in the same dosages that they would give to a 29 yr old.

zuzu xx

[maxjasper]

Hi,
Switching to Dyazide, my doc stopped my APO-K potassium and told me Dyazide should not be taken with any potassium pills. I was on 1800 mg/day APO-K but now I have no clue what happed to my potassium level!
So at present I am on Dyazide 50mg, Norvasc 10mg, Lipitor 10mg. It seems that BP is better controlled than Atacand+Norvasc which cuased great swelling of my feet. I stopped Norvasc for 3 weeks and my feet were back to normal. This time when I started again on Norvasc because it is used with Dyazide I have not yet noticed swelling of feet.

--Max

[This message has been edited by maxjasper (edited 10-04-2003).]

[zip2play]

lilian,

I've never taken a potassium sparing diuretic but I have FREQUENTLY tested low sodium with HCTZ or the REALLY big gun: clorthalidone.

I am and have always been both a HEAVY water drinker and salt eater. Throw a diuretic into that mix and spikes and troughs are just waiting to happen. Low sodium and low potassium blood tests are very common for me.

ps....I'm sure LOT'S of those broken hips in the elderly are caused by low sodium passouts on a flight of stairs.

Here's something that never gets to see light of day:
Virtually ALL blood pressure mneds operate on the renal system eventually. So a LARGE component of BP lowering is always by the kidneys dumping sodium. Interfering directly with sodium using thiazides is just more direct. If you interfere with the adrenals or even further up the pituitary the mechanism is pretty much the same....dump sodium and it's concomitant water to lower the pressure in the hoses.
Which means ANY BP med that WORKS is apt to mess with your electrolytes.

[lilian123]

Yes. BP meds do operate on the electrolyte balance and do dump sodium. Add a water pill and the effect is enhanced. Mom was supposed to go home from the hospital today but the Dr. kept her because her sodium level was still low. Would you believe she took a water pill this morning. The nurses confirmed my mother's inquiry about water pills and sodium and said sure they lower sodium. So here is Dr. Dofus giving her the water pill(at first presrcibing daily but Mom said wait the Dr. who originally presrcibed it only 2 wks ago said 3x/wk), and at the same time they are giving her IV's to address the low sodium issue. How stupid can one doctor be ? Are the nurses bound to a code of silence ? Mom is going to say something to him tomorrow and ask to be seen by the cardiologist who originally prescribed the Dyazide. Also, it has only been 2 weeks taking the water pill and this fall and low sodium happens--how hard is it for them to at least speculate on cause & effect ?! AUGH !