witchywoman Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I have just this week joined a gym. I work out for 45 mins and sweat like I've never sweat before. Im guessing from the Lithium? Anyway, Im trying to stay hydrated. I drink a bottle of water while at the gym, then come home (finish drinking my coffee, 2 cups) and start drinking my large cup of water which I refill throughout the day until about 2 hours before bed. What happened today, Im wondering is if it could be from my lithium levels going wacky from all the exercise and sweating. I got home, and almost immediately, ended up in the bathroom. This lasted for about 4 hours, in and out, all the while I was drinking my water. I didn't have diahrreah, just really gotta go and stomach cramps. Maybe just one of those days? Im really freaked about all this sweating Im doing and the lithium/levels. I don't want to mess stuff up, but I really need to get my weight under control too, ya know. So, what are your thoughts? Also, I have an order to get my blood drawn for a bunch of stuff, but one of it is lithium level. Should I do it before I exercise? Will it make a difference? Thanks you all!! I appreciate your opinions on my very embarrassing question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sorrel Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 The GI stuff is likely coincidental. There is no reason you can't exercise a lot and take lithium (I do.) You are obviously on top of the hydration thing, which is all that matters. I always get lithium levels drawn after exercising. It may not matter, but I'd just recommend being consistent about it either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMarshall Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Yes. What you stated looks like classic lithium toxicity. , Dehydration from whatever cause (fever/illness, exercise, inadequate intake, hot weather) can cause this. the manufacturer recommends a daily water intake of 2-3 liters. Filling a pitcher or water/soda bottles each day is a good way to keep track. Blood levels should ideally be drawn 12 hours after a single daily dose. If you take your lithium in split doses or can't arrange a draw 12hrs after, go ahead and have it done, then tell your pdoc how long it was after your last dose. I strongly recommend NOT doing a blood draw after an exercise session. Let your pdoc know what's happening, sooner if this happens again. A general check for dehydration is to check your urine. Urine is normally straw colored (light amber). If it is clear you are a bit overhydrated, if it is darker, dehydrated. A bit of salty snack or gatorade type electrolyte drink may help when exercising or feeling nauseaus since lithium tends to displace sodium. Take it easier on the workouts while you sort this out. It doesn't make sense to work out so that you make your self sick, or greater risks. You can build up again. I personally think that lithium increases my sweating. Hope you feel better. a.m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sorrel Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 What was your most recent lithium level? If it's fairly low, it would be very unlikely that some exercise pushed you into a toxic range. Stomach cramps have a lot of causes, and with the amount of water you are drinking, as you describe, I personally do not think it was dehydration-induced lithium toxicity. JMO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMarshall Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Hmm. I'm unclear on things, having a little trouble reading today. Not sure if this was one time, or happened each time you exercised, and whether you had intestinal symptoms. Sorrel makes a good point, that food poisoning could be similar, if this was a one time event. a.m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witchywoman Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 It was just the one day. I just got my lithium level and it's .8 on 900 mg lithium. That actually went up from my last level which was .6. It was probably just a coincidence, the intestinal stuff. But, since my level went up, is this something I have to be more careful with, with the exercise and sweating like a pig? Im going to start taking Gatorade instead of water to the gym. Will that be the smarter thing to do so my level doesn't do anything funny? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hnone Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 It was just the one day. I just got my lithium level and it's .8 on 900 mg lithium. That actually went up from my last level which was .6. It was probably just a coincidence, the intestinal stuff. But, since my level went up, is this something I have to be more careful with, with the exercise and sweating like a pig? Im going to start taking Gatorade instead of water to the gym. Will that be the smarter thing to do so my level doesn't do anything funny? Thanks. I'm assuming since you're on Nexium you have GERD or some other sort of GI issue? The cramps could be a number of things if not a pre-existing condition being irritated. Have you thought about nixing the 2 cups of coffee after your workout? Caffeine can tweak the stomach and cause cramping in addition to being a diuretic.It does sound like de-hydration but I don't think you'd become toxic that quick. If it's an isolated incident I'd just monitor it but wouldn't freak out or anything just yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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