Alternatives to water???

[lindakelly]

Hi everyone.  I just got signed up on here and am hoping to get some answers for my mom (not a computer person). 

She is 70 years old and was diagnosed with sjogrens several years back and had been drinking a lot of water to keep her mouth moist.

In January of this year, she was hospitalized because her sodium levels had bottomed out.  The Dr has her drinking nothing but gatorade or other sport drinks to keep her sodium/potassium levels up.  Of course, now her mouth is bothering her more from the acidity of the sports drinks.  Her mouth is very sensitive to almost all foods and she says nothing tastes right.

Anyone know of anything she can drink that has sodium and potassium but is less acidic than the sports drinks?

Thanks so much!

[Poochie]

Hi LK,
Welcome to Sjogren's World.  Thanks for giving your Mom a hand with getting information. 

You might try looking into some of the protein shakes to see what their levels of sodium/potassium are.  I drink them for breakfast but I'm not sure what levels your Mom needs.

Try the supplement stores like GNC and ask the salesperson what they would recommend.  I'm sure there is something that won't aggravate your Mom's mouth. 

Pooh

[Victoria05202000]

LK,

Can she not take potassium/sodium supplements. I use to have a liquid that was prescribed by my Doc. It is kinda nasty, but then she could drink water again.  I also have had it through an IV. I don't reccommend that because it burns like your arm is on fire. I had to have heating pads and then switch to ice pads while I was receiving treatment for low potassium. I am sorry she is having this problem.

Take CAre!
Vicky

[lynnmarie219]

Hi LK and welcome to both you and your mom to Sjogrens World!

I don't have any suggestions on the alternative drinks, but I would definitely ask her doctor or the nutritionist at your local hospital or clinic. I'm sure they would have suggestions for drinks or supplements that would be helpful for her situation.


Good luck and let us know if you get any good ideas.

[Liz D.]

Hi Linda,

Sorry to hear your Mom has Sjogren's, but I am sure she is thankful to have a concerned daughter looking after her!!

My rheumatologist wanted me to drink Gatorade more for the same reason.  I told her I can't stand the stuff,  so she suggested I dilute it.  Do half Gatorade, half water.  I did that and it was much more tolerable!!  The other thing that helps greatly is the mouth moisturizing gels like Oral Balance by Biotene.  I go through tubes of that to keep my mouth as moist as it can be.   That way I don't have to drink as much.  Lots of times the drinking of too much liquid will remove the essential mucus we have in our mouths.

Hope your Mom can get some help.

Liz D.

[Fairy]

There is also Smart Water and other water with vitamins. They are at most grocery stores and at walmart. I also take vitamins, but I would ask her Dr. what he thinks is best.
I hope your mother starts feeling better soon!