chronic dehydration

[banina]

My 28yr old son has had a history of chronic dehydration. five years ago he was taken by rescue to pain in his back which turned out to be a high creatin level. He was hospitalized and they told us he was dehydrated. In November of 2006, Steven went into cardiac arrest. At the ER they told us that he had a very low potassium level. He was subsequently diagnosed with Brugada syndrome. Since having his pace maker, he has been to the ER for his pace maker activating. Again they told him he ws dehydrated. My belief is that he may not have Brugada syndrmoe but a chronic dehydration problem that is causing this. Do you think I am way off base? Where should we go to investigate this further?

[caregiver222]

I want you to obtain and read the book "The bodies many cries for water" by Dr. Fereydoon Batmangnelidj M.D. It is not possible to render an opinion on the diagnosis, but I have serious doubts about the competence of any physician who introduces a pacemaker into a healthy 28 year old patient. It is possible the dehydraytion induced a myocardial infarct, which damaged the atrial pacemeker, in which case a pacemaker might make sense. Then again I know a hospital that has inserted pacemakers when the problem could have been solved by magnesiujm glycinate supplements. The disease you mentioned has genetic markers and I would not be jumping the gun to criticize unless I had full access to his medical records, which you should obtain with a freedom of information act request.

[spade22]

First of all, I want to point out I am NOT a medical doctor - the following information is from my knowledge of medical conditions which I have researched.......

Brugada syndrome is a genetic condition. Did your son undergo genetic testing when the diagnosis was made?  Approximately 1/4  of Brugada syndrome patients have various mutations on the SCN5A gene which can be tested for very easily.  A genetic councellor can do this test and it would be a good idea to have other family members tested for this mutation.  

Brugada syndrome patients often have a specific mutation on the SCN5A gene that is responsible for SODIUM channels that control heart contractions and electrical activity.  However, either abnormally high levels of potassium/calcium OR abnormally LOW levels of POTASSIUM have been associated with individuals with Brugadas syndrome.

Since dehydration results when sodium and/or potassium levels get to low the question is, is the Brugada's syndrome causing physical manifestations that present as dehydration?  This is something that would be worthwhile discussing with his doctor and your sons "response" to potassium/sodium supplements  might provide some insight into this (does he respond well to sodium/potassium supplements?  How long do his levels remain in the "normal" range? etc).   In any case, it is important to ensure his ion levels dont fall to a dangerously low level - are his levels being monitored periodically by his doctor?