Dehydration Issues.

[PhotoSteve 0]

Hello all, well here is my current big problem: Dehydration. :glare:

Now, it is exceptionally strange here in the foothills of Los Angeles with everything burning like crazy and waking up to ash falling like snow in 105-degree, 0-humidity heat, but I cannot seem to stay hydrated, even though I am always with Water or some sort of water/drink packet (a'la Crystal Light, etc) combo.

Last Saturday was the worst, I felt really sick, I was aching all over, constipated (hey, we're all adults here) and feeling crummy altogether.

So I get home thinking I am coming down with the flu or a cold - or maybe just over the whole "fire-and-ash" thing. So, since I haven't been sleeping well, I decided to take some Ny-Quil and bed down for the night. Well that was a BIG mistake.

I woke up at 4am with a 102-degree feaver, sweats, and I felt like someone had beat the crap out of me with a baseball batt. Well, I realized that my back aches also included kidney pain, so I immediately figured out I was seriously dehydrated, and went to the kitchen to drink some water and then hit the bathroom. Well my urine was almost orange (which is always a sign you are not eliminating enough) and I now had stomach aches on top of everything else.

Well my Sunday was shot. I stayed on the couch in the A/C drinking as much water as I could all day and realized I had just barely made it past the 64oz mark that night. Now it is Wednesday and I am just now feeling back to my old self.

Does anyone have techniques or strategies to get enough liquids?

Has anyone had a bad reaction to Nyquil post-op?

Does anyone else have constipation/elimination issues, and has your doctor recommended anything? (mine recommended Miralax and colace, but I almost think they are adding to the dehydration issue)

[Ruthi 60]

Have you been to a doctor? These symptoms are signs of many things to include kidney infection, flu and other infections. Dont try to cure yourself. If something is going on, you could correct the hydration issue by curing the main problem.

[Jagator88 1]

I was thinking you at least need to speak to a doctor about your issues. It should not be that easy for you to become dehydrated if you are consuming Fluid on a regular basis.

[PhotoSteve 0]

I have spoken to my doctors about the issue. I think most of the fault is my own. With my new tummy, I don't feel thirsty very often, just as I don't feel hungry very often and my body is used to having those clues to know when to drink - or when I do feel thirsty, I drink my fill (which isn't much) and then can forget about it.

I am trying to be mindful about it, but it has been a challenge - especially in the heat and ash, which seems to be sucking the Water out of me faster than I can replenish it.

As far as the kidney thing, it is not an infection, they know that. I have had some kidney issues over the last 2 years, and my doctors always said it was my weight and my body was having problems processing the waste. Well, if that is the case - I will hopefully will be a smaller me soon enough and they will be able to keep up.

Also, it could be stones or the beginning of stones, but every time I have talked to my doc, he does not thing the symptoms fit.

[MacMadame 81]

Since it's hot down in LA, your Fluid needs are even greater than usual so that may have something to do with it.

What I do is carry a Water bottle with me constantly. I've got one in the office and one at home but I have extras too. I am never without a beverage. :glare:

I also go through periods where plain Water just doesn't appeal to me and so I will go for something else like decaff tea or add in a flavor packet to the water or have some Protein hot chocolate. I know water is better, but some Fluid is better than no fluid.

[PhotoSteve 0]

Yeah, I am now EVERYWHERE with a bottle. . . .

[Malaika 50]

I know I sound like a broken record but SF Popsicles and ice cubes are also good ways to get in your Fluid.< /strong>

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Wow, I am sorry you went through that. I hope drinking gets easier for you. I am always able to drink A LOT of Water. Just make sure you are always using something to measure. Water that comes in bottles have the amount right on the bottle, but if you use any other container, be sure you figure out how much it holds.

[cajun 46]

With a history of some renal problems I am surprised your physician did not want to at least do a urinalysis...I would request one if I were you, even though you are feeling better. Best to be safe rather than sorry later.

I used to never drink Water during the day at work but in preparation for VSG surgery I am practicing taking four 20 ounce bottles with me to work and I sip sip sip all day long. Usually only get through three bottles, then I drink the other one after I am home. I feel so much better just from doing that. I guess I have been in a mild dehydrated state all along. !!! My skin is looking much better too. It's a habit I plan to keep !

[blueskidoo 0]

If you are already dehydrated and light on the intake it can be very hard to get re-hydrated. See if you can have an office visit with your Dr. and get a few units IV to get you back up and then try to maintain.

And yes, mirilax will contribute to the dehydration because its purpose is to draw Water into the intestine (and therefor out of the body) to encourage #2.

I would stop taking the Mirilax and focus on getting re-hydrated first. Then whenever you take the mirilax you are going to need an extra 8-16 oz of Water to account for the action of the drug.

Orange urine is definitly a danger sign and I would be getting IV fluids for sure. You could also try drinking some smart water (it has electrolytes) and that might help as well. I find cold water goes better than warm, and I prefer a straw to using a glass/bottle. See if anything like that makes a difference for you as well.

[AJW 18]

I drink diet Green Tea in the 16 oz. bottles. I like the Citrus taste and find I can down one of those faster than the same 16 oz. bottle of Water which we constantly have in the frig. I take water everywhere, and I keep track of how much I'm getting in. I don't always get in the 64 oz, but I get close. I also watch the color of my urine for sgns of dehydration. My back on the right lower flank has been bothering me today, so that could be a sign of slight dehydration.

[BobBayCityMI 111]

I have a 64 ounce container (well, two so that it is cold) that I use to make sure I get all of my Water down each day. If I do at least that, I am good to go. Now, in addition, I have my teas and SF popsicles. If I am peeing yellow (well, darker shade), I know I need more water, even if I am following my system. Some days I need more than others. And, yes, Constipation issue on Monday. Picture a bowling ball going through a garden hose. That is how I felt. Damn near blew a vein in my neck on that deuce. But more water was the answer. Good luck.

[AJW 18]

Thanks for the visual, Bob, just what I didn't need to picture.:001_cool:

[I Can and I Will 29]

I second VegasAngel...get a load of SF popsicles. I also found that premixing the little bottles of Water with crytal light was like a popsicle in a bottle...you can only sip it as it melts. If I get four of those in I"m good. One of the first things I do now in the morning instead of coffee is mix Water, fruit Protein and ice then begin to sip. I have a container that can hold two bottles of water so, I try and get one done by lunch and then other I nurse the rest of the night.

You are in all our thoughts....go to the doctor and get checked out first!

Caro

[dange25 57]

My dietition told me to try some prune juice pear juice or apple juice. just a small amount helps moves things along a little smoother!!! i have started with just a few mouthfulls of apple juice a day and all is well in angie land!