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Lithium and marathon hydration/salt
thisisnatty
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Hopefully there's someone out there who also takes Lithium and has pondered this same question.
I have been on Lithium a few weeks and am starting to think more critically about marathon racing / jogging for completion / and training and what is required for safe use of Lithium vs water and sodium intake.
I've read a bit online- the main advice I've found is day-to-day to drink plenty of water and to not avoid salty foods. I cannot find much about if you are exercising on Lithium, or guideline for /how much/ water and salt is required.
Before Lithium, I was a big water drinker in marathons, maybe consuming 2-4 litres during the race depending on the temperature, effort, and humidity- all affecting sweat rate. I would consume 1-2 High5 Zero electrolyte tabs and a Powerade after the race.
It would seem to me from my experience of running that sweating in marathons could easily cause dehydration and electrolyte loss- including sodium, leading to a short term rise in Lithium levels. Conversely by over-drinking runners risk the dreaded hyponatremia, and too much salt could cause issues with blood pressure etc.
Question
Anyone got any advice for getting the right balance of hydration/electrolytes in line with Lithium?
For before, during, and after a 'hard effort'.
Thanks.
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Comments
I ran (jogged leisurely for completion) a marathon on Wednesday and drank what I felt I wanted at the time. This turned out to be ::::two Powerades and probably a litre of dissolvable electrolytes and a litre of squash.
Can you do a (naked) weight before and after a long run, whilst keeping track of your intake, and try drinknig to thirst. As long as you have only lost a smal amount of weight, you should be fine.
This should at least provide some reassurance as to whether your "drinking to thirst" is actually keeping you about right.
Thanks for your reply tricialitt.
Yes I could do a before and after weight test, I might well do that if the opportunity for a non-marathon long run arises. Probably mid September...
That would help with the water volume I guess, but still some work to do about sodium.
Problem is Lithium makes me thirsty (known common symptom), but also we're advised to drink more than normal.
A few quotes specific to Lithium:::
"Call your doctor if you lose a significant amount of body fluid as a result of sweating,....."
"Tell your doctor if you have been sweating excessively, ....... Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Tell your doctor if you are dehydrated or have low levels of sodium in your blood. "
"Lithium is a metal that has a tendency to deplete sodium levels. Along with drinking a lot of water, ........ and don't spare the salt on meals."
"Taking this medication can make it easier for you to become dehydrated, especially if .......... you are outdoors in the sun, or if you exercise vigorously or sweat more than usual. Dehydration can increase some of the side effects of lithium."
"Drink extra fluids each day to keep from getting dehydrated while you are taking lithium. Tell your doctor if you have been sweating excessively ......... for more than a few hours."
"Make sure you drink a lot of water because you can get dehydrated on Lithium."
"Drinking water replaces the fluids lost through increased urination caused by lithium. This prevents dehydration which would raise lithium levels. Fluid IN balances the fluid OUT. Several quarts or more per day may be needed."
"Low sodium diets particularly being a danger of inducing lithium toxicity."
My GP bless her doesn't know what to suggest. And my consultant doesn't know either.