MEDICAL MATTERS
- Medical Matters features questions asked by Members of the ME Association on health-related topics.
- Dr Charles Shepherd and the ME Association's other advisers answer these questions by sharing their expert knowledge.
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Questions in the Category: Sodium
Symptoms: Hyponatraemia (Low sodium levels)
I’ve been feeling generally unwell and more fatigued – mentally and physically, for the past few months.
My GP ordered some routine blood tests – all of which were normal apart from having a slightly lower than normal level of sodium in the blood. My GP isn’t too concerned and is going to repeat the blood test. Could a low sodium level be caused by having ME?
Treatments: Drugs – Sensitivities & Side-effects
This is more of a warning than a question. Earlier this year I experienced a rapid and noticeable deterioration in the fatigue part of my ME/CFS. I was also getting muscle cramps – a new symptom to add to the list. All of this coincided with a prescription from my doctor for water losing tablets (diuretics) to treat high blood pressure. At first, she didn’t think there was any connection. But after doing some blood tests it turned out that I had a low level of potassium – something that can occur as a side-effect of using this type of drug. After a change in medication, my potassium level returned to normal and my ME/CFS symptoms also improved. So it’s worth noting that drugs can sometimes cause a significant exacerbation of symptoms for people with ME/CFS.
Dr Charles Shepherd
Dr Shepherd has been Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association for more than 40 years. He is integral to the charity's activities and provides information and support based on his professional knowledge, personal experience as a doctor with ME/CFS, and the understanding gained from helping many thousands of people with the condition. He was a member of the comittee responsible for the 2021 NICE Clinical Guideline and is a recognised expert on ME/CFS in the UK. His knowledge extends to Post-Viral Fatigue Syndromes (PVFS), Myalgic Encephalopathy/Encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or Long Covid.
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Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor‘ series featured in the highly-regarded member’s magazine, ME Essential, and in the healthcare professional magazine, ME Medical. Both are produced by the ME Association and published as hard-copy magazines every 3 months and sent to members and healthcare professionals by post to home or business addresses.
If you are an HCP you can sign-up here to receive ME Medical magazine (people with ME/CFS can also nominate their HCP by completing the sign-up form).
