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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Water, Water, Water kills Woman
        
(Message started by: floridian on Jan 24^th, 2007, 10:30am)

Title: Water, Water, Water kills Woman
Post by floridian on Jan 24^th, 2007, 10:30am

Rehydrating is a good idea. But another case of deadly water intoxication - a woman entered a 'Wee for Wii' contest to win her kids a video game. Two gallons later, she died.

Usually water intoxication takes more than a half day, but she was really pushing it.

http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/nation/16495533.htm

Title: Re: Water, Water, Water kills Woman
Post by Margi on Jan 24^th, 2007, 11:15am

Just in case folks don't click on the article.....here's why she died...

Strange was one of about 18 contestants who tried to win a Nintendo Wii gaming console by determining how much water they could drink without going to the bathroom.Several hours into the contest, Strange was interviewed on the air and said her head hurt.
...
On Tuesday, KDND's parent company, Entercom/Sacramento, fired 10 employees connected to the contest, including three morning disc jockeys. The company also took the morning show off the air."

I'm sorry, but WHO in their right mind would attempt something so stupid to win a toy? ::)

Clusterheads, if you're going to try the water treatment (and it really can help you!), please feel free to pee ok?

Title: Re: Water, Water, Water kills Woman
Post by RichardN on Jan 24^th, 2007, 11:33am

Re: the above link

" . . . without going to the bathroom"

I will assume you read my "Water therapy, Please read" link and the post I made on seasonalbloomer's thread . . . . and I was expecting someone to bring up that unfortunate incident.

However, my recent illnesses . . . which reduced my water consumption and brought a series of renewed attacks prompted me to post anyway. It is hard enough to drink the ammount of water I do to keep my attacks at a minimum . . . . and I certainly don't try to do so without passing same. My neo-bladder when full holds 1100cc s . . . if I don't cath . . . I leak, plus I will experience ureter/kidney discomfort.

When I came here (2/02), the "water X 3" link was on the board and in my "reading, reading,reading", I do recall one post from someone who also experienced dramatic reductions in frequency/intensity of attacks that they attributed to water therapy. I did not try at that time, opting for 02, Verapamil, coffee, etc.. It wasn't until my surgery and the subsequent requirement of large ammounts of water . . . plus the multiple experiences of increased attacks/pain levels when I slacked-up on water intake that I came to the conclusion that water therapy really does work . . . . at least for some of us. I must also assume the link has been permanent for several years because it DOES work for some of us.

I would ask (because of your extensive medical knowledge . . . . which I have greatly appreciated for some time . . . you are one of the real pro's here) if you have an idea of what percentage of water is absorbed by the body vs what percentage is passed (10-20%?). I need to pass 4-5 qts per 24 hr period to be "mostly PF" . . . . what would that equate to in ammount consumed?

Thanks for your post. Am hoping some other "waterheads" ;;D will respond.

Be Safe, PFDANs

Richard

Title: Re: Water, Water, Water kills Woman
Post by floridian on Jan 24^th, 2007, 11:50am

It's not clear if not peeing was what made it lethal - that's what the newspaper reporter said, but ... ? I think the amount consumed was the main factor.

I think dehydration can contribute to clusters and rehydration can lessen pain for many. Not trying to scare people away from water (that devil drink ;) ). But people on certain meds, or with certain conditions can get water intoxication with much lower doses than others. And the idea of becoming Pain Free might just be more of a motivating factor than a free video game. Jes be careful.

Title: Re: Water, Water, Water kills Woman
Post by froggy on Jan 24^th, 2007, 12:01pm

Water head, that's funny.

I'm not the most technical person, but I can say this: the water treatment in combination with Monster Khaos has been helping my husband (very hard to treat chronic).

Because of the water treatment we have been able to get him off of the bleeeepin' pain killers he's been on for the last 2 years (that's taken almost a week to detox from, no more leg shakes - ugh!) and haven't had to take imitrex for the last 6 days.

It may not sound like much because the results aren't so dramatic, but to someone like him even the slightest improvement is a leap off a tall building. He actually is in a good mood now. Nights are still tough.

best of luck!

Title: Re: Water, Water, Water kills Woman
Post by floridian on Jan 24^th, 2007, 12:53pm

on 01/24/07 at 11:33:52, RichardN wrote:

... if you have an idea of what percentage of water is absorbed by the body vs what percentage is passed (10-20%?). I need to pass 4-5 qts per 24 hr period to be "mostly PF" . . . . what would that equate to in ammount consumed?

Thanks for your post. Am hoping some other "waterheads" ;;D will respond.

Be Safe, PFDANs

Richard

Unless you are accumulating water or becoming dehydrated, the amount of water going in equals the amount going out (over the course of 24-48 hours). The trick is, some is exhaled on the breath or released as sweat, and the rest goes through the urine.

Hard to answer your question exactly. Depends on several factors. How hot is it? Heat makes a person sweat more. How active are you? Activity means more loss through sweat and breath. What is the relative humidity? Dry air means more is lost to the breath. Any diuretic foods or meds? That pulls out water throught the urine.

Title: Re: Water, Water, Water kills Woman
Post by BB on Jan 24^th, 2007, 6:38pm

Over hydration will cause electrolyte imbalance by over diluting the blood. This will in turn stress out the kidneys and other major organs. The most common electrolyte imbalance is hyponatraemia, where Na+ ( sodium ) drops too low and this leads to swelling of brain/nerve/muscles cells. This is known as water intoxication. This can certainly cause death.

http://chemistry.about.com/cs/5/f/blwaterintox.htm

The woman may already have medical problems or weak kidneys so became more susceptible to this.

Usually the bladder would not be able to "hold" and the person will just have an "accident" well before the electrolyte imbalance gets to the lethal level.

So sad that a life can be wasted over something so stupid!

Annette

Title: Re: Water, Water, Water kills Woman
Post by froggy on Jan 24^th, 2007, 6:44pm

A GOOD REASON NOT TO GIVE UP on this water treatment....

Today was a bit challenging with the water treatment. The husband started to climb towards a kip 7 and I could tell he was getting frustrated. About 3 hours later I asked him if he was still drinking the water and he said no, and that he was tired of going to the bathroom all of the time.

I gently harped and harped on him, then he finally gave in and pounded a huge glass of ice water.

The 7 knocked down to a 2 - heavy sigh......

Title: Re: Water, Water, Water kills Woman
Post by midwestbeth on Jan 24^th, 2007, 7:02pm

Yesterday while driving on the hwy I started to get that feeling........My can of Monster was out of reach & the only thing I could get my hands on safely was a full bottle of water. I drank it down within 1 min and it did delay the ch until I got home. Water does sometimes help me if I do not have anything else on hand.

Since I spend alot of time in my car I never go anywhere without Monster, Red Bull and bottled water. Don't know what I'm going to do when it gets hot outside.