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Electrolyte Replacement Powders For Severe Dehydration

CTBarristerCTBarristerMember
Over the weekend I suffered a severe and rapid dehydration, this due to explosive watery diarrhea which I assume was from a gastrointestinal bug of some kind, because my pouchitis never produces diarrhea like that. Unfortunately, I did not have any electrolyte replacement beverages on hand, so I ran out to my local pharmacy and purchased coconut waters and Gatorade. It was a Sunday night so the pharmacy portion of the store (Rite Aid) was closed and I did not have the chance to speak to my pharmacist until today.

A friend of mine who lives in Montreal, Canada and suffers from Crohn's Disease texted me that he has an emergency stash of a concentrated electrolyte replacement powder called "Life", which is apparently the house brand of Canadian pharmacy Pharmaprix. He bought it there and it was recommended to him by his pharmacist. My pharmacist at Rite Aid told me they do not make a similar house brand but she would research it further.

I am aware of powders like Nuun which are not sold at pharmacies but are available on the Internet. But I am not sure if Nuun is what I am looking for, which is something concentrated to have a stash of in case of another emergency situation like this. Any recommendations on something concentrated that will rapidly rehydrate someone who has suffered a severe dehydration? And more potent than Gatorade and coconut water?
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Jan DollarJan DollarModerator, RN, retired
If you cannot readily find exactly what you are looking for, you can just use Pedialyte, which is widely available across the U.S. in practically any drug store and most grocery stores. It works as well for adults as children. It is also available in powder form.

Also, in a pinch, you can use this simple recipe from salt and sugar from your own cupboard.
http://www.csd-i.org/oral-rehydration-techniques/

Sometimes you just have to go to the ER when things get out of control. Happens to the best of us...

Hope you are feeling better now!

Jan Smiler
CTBarristerCTBarristerMember
The pharmacist mentioned Pedialyte to me and I looked at it, but I assumed that since the dosages are concocted for babies, it cannot be concentrated enough to solve the severe dehydration issues of a grown man.

I got by with coconut water, chicken rice-a- roni (deviation from Paleo Diet due to emergency, for digestive ease and very high sodium content), mango chunks (for potassium) and Gatorade. I feel better today and was even in Court this morning for a scheduled hearing, but now I feel kind of crappy again.

I have had a number of episodes like this, usually 1 or 2 a year, and they are now foreseeable and I realized that I really need a quality, concentrated electrolyte replenishment that will provide maximum immediate rehydration for these kinds of situations. It's negligent for me not to have some kind of emergency stash to be used in these very foreseeable situations.
P PluotMember
The way that electrolyte solutions work is that they mimic the electrolyte balance of your blood, so that they are absorbed more completely than water. Babies may have less blood than adults but the concentration of electrolytes in their blood is basically the same. Therefore Pedialyte is just as effective for adults as for children. I've also heard Ceralyte mentioned around here as an alternative.
Jan DollarJan DollarModerator, RN, retired
Your pharmacist was right. Thinking that as an adult you'd need more "concentrated" electrolyte replacement is incorrect. More concentrated means hypertonic, and that can get you in trouble (as in increasing diarrhea). You are far better off with a more dilute solution.

The difference between hydrating small children and adults is the volume only. Adults can drink as much as they want, but small children need to be limited.

If it gets to the point where you are getting dizzy and weak, you need IV hydration. As long as you have salt and sugar on the shelf, you have what you need to get by.

Jan Smiler
G Goody2shoesMember
I use St Mark's solution (St Mark's is a hospital specialising in colo rectal diseases)
This solution is used to replace fluid
and electrolytes lost through diarrhoea.
(Electrolytes are natural substances
found in the body which need to be
kept in balance to maintain good
health. They include sodium, chloride
and bicarbonate.)
St Marks’ solution is easily absorbed in
the gut and is often given to patients
whose bowel cannot absorb other fluids
well. Your doctor will advise you how
much normal fluid you can drink in
addition to your St Marks’ solution.
Directions for use
Make up a fresh solution every day
with:
 Sodium bicarbonate 2.5g
(measure using one heaped 2.5ml
spoonful)
 Glucose powder 20g
(measure using six level 5ml
spoonfuls)
 Sodium Chloride 3.5g
(measure using one level 5ml
spoonful)
Make this up to one litre with tap
water and stir well until all the powder
is dissolved.
The taste of the mixture may be
improved by keeping it chilled or by
adding a small amount of fruit squash
(lemon flavouring is most effective).
The solution should be sipped
throughout the day.
P PoucherInTOMember
I second Jan's advice regarding the Pedialyte, I keep a stash at home "just in case". I also have a few bottles of G2 in my fridge and I keep salty crackers on hand to drink with water if needed.

I hope you are feeling better, and if you feel dizzy or lightheaded with your dehydration head to the ER and let them help you out - don't drive though, have a friend or cab take you.

Best of luck
n/an/aMember
I keep a stash of "Electro Mix" electro mix electrolyte replacement (can be found on amazon) in my cupboard and in my purse. It comes in little packets, one pkt. makes one liter of "sports water". You can make it as diluted as you wish.

I switched from the others as this contains stevia rather than other sugars.

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