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Mood Disorder Community
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gsm
Starting Member
6 Posts |
 Posted - 11/25/2007 : 04:43:47
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| My symptoms included nightmares, anxiety, panic, mania, psychosis, and seizures. I was diagnosed by five doctors over six years as having bipolar disorder. I discovered through trial and error that my problem was the result of a salt deficiency which was exacerbated by my kidneys not reabsorbing salt as good as they used to. The treatment that I found that worked for me was to increase my salt consumption and reduce my fluid intake (within safe limits). It has now been 19 months since I last experienced any symptoms. Recently I read that polydipsia (drinking too much fluid) is observed in a high percentage of the mentally ill and that some also have a salt craving, so it appears that there is a basis for my treatment. |
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| Administrator
Administrator
14912 Posts
Gratitude: 593
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Posted - 11/25/2007 : 18:06:03
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Welcome to our community GSM,
The average duration of an untreated manic episode in Bipolar I Disorder is 3 months. The average duration of an untreated depressive episode is 6 months.
Thus there is a good chance that your recovery (off medication and just on salt) was just due to the natural course of this disorder. That is, given time, you would have gotten better anyway.
The whole purpose of modern treatment for Bipolar I Disorder is either:
- To prevent the return of mania or depression.
- To minimize the duration or severity of any episode of mania or depression.
Without treatment, the average individual with Bipolar I Disorder has 9 episodes of this illness in their lifetime. After the first episode of mania, there is a 95% chance of Bipolar I Disorder returning within the next 5 years.
You mentioned that, thus far, your illness has involved psychosis and seizures. Why, given the extremely high likelihood that your Bipolar I Disorder will return, would you not want to take a scientifically-proven treatment for this disorder? Why play around with something that hasn't been scientifically-proven to work?
Phil Long M.D.
Administrator 
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| gsm
Starting Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2007 : 03:52:10
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Thank you Dr. Long for taking the time to reply to my post. My anxiety symptom (twinges of anxiety) occurred with a frequency of about once per hour. My nightmares accompanied by poor sleep occurred almost every night. Panic attacks occurred with a frequency of about once per week and seizures once every couple of months. My psychotic episodes occurred once every six months. At first I only recognized a high level mania that preceded my psychotic episodes, but after my salt treatment I now realize that I had a low-level mania almost continuously. I believe it caused me to do things that I thought would make me famous. For example, I tried to develop theories comparable to Einstein’s theory of relativity. When I tried to publish them in scientific journals they were always rejected and I now see how inadequate they were. Like I said, it has now been 19 months since I’ve experienced any symptoms. Considering the high frequency of some of my symptoms, I believe that there really is something valid about my salt treatment. Considering the side effects of the “scientifically” test drugs, why should I take them? I’m not trying to say that salt will work for everyone, but considering that five doctors may have misdiagnosed what I believe was a case of hyponatremia, maybe some others can benefit. |
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| Administrator
Administrator
14912 Posts
Gratitude: 593
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Posted - 11/26/2007 : 10:00:42
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Hi GSM,
What is the probability of five doctors misdiagnosing your condition? Think about it, you mentioned that five doctors all diagnosed that you had Bipolar I Disorder. There is a chance that one or two doctors could make a misdiagnosis, but five?
Also, you mentioned having "seizures". By this, do you mean "fits" whereby you fell to the ground shaking, then went unconscious? If so, this is a very serious medical condition, and it requires immediate medical treatment. For example, what would happen if you were driving and had another "seizure"?
Again welcome to our community. This is what we do. We care enough to ask you questions in the hope that these discussions will help you find your own way.
Phil Long M.D.
Administrator
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| gsm
Starting Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2007 : 04:38:55
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The last seizure I had was 19 months ago and was described to me by my sister who witnessed it while I had lunch with her. She said I dropped my cup and had a blank stare for a few seconds then I recovered. I recall previous episodes myself as freezing and the lights going dim. To me it seemed like a few seconds passed. I think the reason why I was never diagnosed as hyponatremic is because low salt is not common in the American diet. I’m a health food nut and I prepare all of my own food. With all the talk of how healthy it is to eat less salt and drink more fluid, I think that I went overboard. Also, hyponatremia is defined as having a specific low level, which may not be applicable to all people. They say the brain expands with low salt levels and the pressure within the skull is what causes the mental symptoms. But the space within the skull varies from person to person, so the level of salt that causes problems should also vary. All of the doctors (psychiatrists) are taught essentially the same thing, so why shouldn’t they come up with the same diagnosis? I’m very happy with my salt treatment. The reason why I’m in this forum is not to find my way, but to help others find theirs. I know what a hell it is to be mentally ill. If there is some way to get out of it that is not pursued by the medical establishment, I think everybody should know about it.
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| Cirkid
Starting Member
48 Posts
Gratitude: 30
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Posted - 10/30/2008 : 06:09:34
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Condition: Bipolar II
Current Treatments: Lithium, light therapy, exercise, low stress, connecting with love in my life.
Hey Doc,
1.) Is there any Lithium in sea salt ?. I've heard that sea salt has a variety of minerals and salts.
2.) Are there any natural sources of Lithium ? |
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| gsm
Starting Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2008 : 04:22:43
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The effective dose of lithium is very high. The amount of lithium in any sodium chloride salt for consumption would be very low compared to this. It is interesting that you mention light therapy because I found that to be somewhat helpful too. My theory (based on internet research) for how it helped my was that the light boosted my adrenal glands which in turn helped my kidneys to better reabsorb sodium.
I recently increased my water intake (to fix a constipation problem) and found that my symptoms started to return. Subsequently I increased my sodium chloride salt intake and the symptoms went away again. I’m now taking about 10 grams of salt per day, which is about 1.7x the US RDA. My daily urine output is about 2.5 liters. My blood pressure is 124/70 and my weight is 180 lbs. So it appears that the salt is not excessive. I estimated that my previous daily salt intake was one gram when I had the mental problems. It might also be of interest to mention that all my symptoms started suddenly with a period of polyuria in which I lost about 20 lbs. I think this was evidence of my kidneys loosing control of salt. When I did the light therapy the polyuria went away.
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| gsm
Starting Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2009 : 05:17:49
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| I’d like to share more about how I’ve been using salt to treat my bipolar symptoms. I’ve discovered that it is necessary to compensate for the salt lost with sweat from activities such as exercise, yard work, and laying out in the sun. An extra half teaspoon (3grams) seems to work well. I’ve also discovered that there is a one day delay from the time of salt loss to when mental symptoms are first noticed. This may explain why salt has not been widely recognized as a significant cure for bipolar disorder. |
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| gsm
Starting Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2009 : 05:47:34
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I'm now starting to understand the basis for why salt worked for me. I have recently discovered that bright light exposure 90 minutes before sleep until 10 min before sleep may have a beneficial effect of boosting testosterone levels. I have been measuring my urinary sodium concentration throughout the day and have found that during the evening when testosterone levels drop, my urinary sodium levels have correspondingly increased. My internet research indicates that there is a link between testosterone levels and kidney sodium reabsorption. The high urinary concentrations correspond to a lowering in my blood sodium level and hyponatremic symptoms (mental disorder being one). I believe the bright light therapy has increased my testosterone levels and thus my blood sodium levels remain normal. I know I have low testosterone but I'm still researching whether or not I should use testosterone replacement therapy as a treatment for my bipolar. There are some nasty side effects with this therapy. |
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| warblaster
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)
112498 Posts |
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| warblaster
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)
112498 Posts |
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| warblaster
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)
112498 Posts |
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| warblaster
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)
112498 Posts |
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| warblaster
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)
112498 Posts |
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| warblaster
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)
112498 Posts |
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| warblaster
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)
112498 Posts |
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Salt worked for me.
