SSRI’s and Electrolytes1

Well, in another installment of “I wish they’d told me that a long time ago”, it turns out that SSRI’s can contribute to hyponatremia, a potentially dangerous condition in which your body doesn’t have enough sodium to regulate the water in your cells.

It is believed that SSRI’s might contribute to at least mild hyponatremia in up to 30% of patients taking these medications. Symptoms of hyponatremia are nausea and vomiting, headache, confusion, lethargy, fatigue, appetite loss, restlessness and irritability, muscle weakness, spasms or cramps, seizures, and decreased consciousness or coma. SSRI-related hyponatremia is more common in women and the elderly than in the general population.

Now I’m not unconscious or throwing up, but I have been having some unusual issues with my muscles lately. I’ve been incredibly tight, and no amount of stretching seems to help. In fact, I pulled my hamstring last weekend while gently easing into a yoga pose that is usually pretty easy for me. Coincidentally, just last week, my doctor doubled the dosage on the SSRIs that I take.

To make a long story short, other than serious organic illness, my “lifestyle” embodies many potential causes of hyponatremia:

• I take SSRI’s, which in addition to being potentially diuretic, also make me thirsty, so I drink a lot of water.
• I’m on ADHD meds, which also cause dehydration.
• I’ve been taking a lot of asthma and decongestant medication to deal with a bad allergy season
• My diet low in sodium, because I’m a vegetarian who eats no processed foods.
• Since I’m thirsty, I consume a lot of water while exercising.
• I drink alcohol.

As for that last one, you’re supposed to be careful with booze when you’re on the meds I’m on. I know that. I’ve known it for years. I’ve been naughty. But it’s been a rough summer, and I’ve been self-medicating. I clearly need to stop doing that.

Since hyponatremia (if that is what I have) can indicate a serious organic illness, I’m going to the doctor on Monday to make sure it all checks out. In the meantime, I’ve spent the last couple hours drinking miso soup and coconut juice to try and restore my electrolytes. I already feel better. And if you’re on SSRI’s, be aware that hyponatremia is a possibility, and discuss any symptoms with your doctor.