Severe Dehydration...

[irysh]

Hi all. I'm having what is becomming a serious problem. Every time I go outside for any length of time, I'm getting dehydrated. I'm drinking between 70 and 120 oz. of water/day...I can't really fit any more in and still eat (which I have to do every 4-5 hours, or my blood sugar bottoms out). I've had the occasional dehydration problem since childhood... even ended up in the hospital a few times from it. But I learned to deal with it with gatorade & fruit (usually oranges). obviously that's not an option with this woe. Fruit (berries)and water is not helping. This is causing severe headaches, muscle cramps & aches, very dry mouth, and feeling like I've got lead in my veins. These symptoms are lasting for at least 24 hours after onset. I was outside today for about 3 hours when I noticed I had stopped sweating, and I barely made it inside before passing out. This is the 3rd time this week. Does anyone have any suggestions about subs for gatorade? I'm getting a little desperate here. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Bugaboo]

Re: Severe Dehydration...

Dehydration is very serious. (as you probably already know) I strongly suggest you see a doctor as quickly as possible. My brother had that problem while working construction in Az and was told to take salt tablets. However, not being a doctor I think you really really need to see one. ADBB is a great place full of really smart people but this is something too serious not to be seen by a qualified doctor. I've been dehydrated enough to land myself in the hospitial so maybe I'm being a nervous nellie but I really think you should see one. I hope you feel better and soon!!!!!

[Brook]

Re: Severe Dehydration...

What Bugaboo said.

(boy, that was easy to type )

I hope you get the issue resolved soon too! Feel better!
~Brook

[irysh]

Re: Severe Dehydration...

Thanks for the reply, Bugaboo! I suppose that's what I should, I've just been avoiding since they've never been able to figure the cause. It was so bad once when I was a kid that I had IV's in my hands, feet, and thighs.

[irysh]

Re: Severe Dehydration...

Thanks, Brook. I just love reading your posts here, and looking at your pics. You're quite an inspiration!

[Brook]

Re: Severe Dehydration...

Wow. What an amazing compliment! Thank you!!

Ugh. My youngest has major hydration issues, but they're the exact opposite of yours. I just cringed when I read about the IVs in your hands/feet/thighs because those are the types of things they had to do to my Sammy-Jammy My daughter is chronically hyponatremic (low blood sodium levels). The most problematic condition Sammy has is called primary syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone(P-SIADH), and basically her body releases too much antidiuretic hormone and it causes her body to retain too much water, thereby diluting the sodium in her blood down to the point it causes her major issues. Like I said, the exact opposite type of thing that you seem to be experiencing. But even so, Sammy goes through times and has been hospitalized several times for what's started out as major dehydration. Tricky, tricky stuff.

I'd suggest heading for an endocrinologist. Frankly, if this is something that's been plaguing you your entire life, it's likely out of the general practioners league (no offense intended to the GP's out there!).

I really hope you feel better soon. I truly understand how awful dealing with these issues is and can be -even if only by proxy. Keep us posted and let us know what you find out!

:hugs
~Brook

[2big4mysize]

Re: Severe Dehydration...

yep you are going to have to get a doc to check your levels of your electrolytes as Atkins has adieuretic effect on folk and if you already have an isue then you need to be very sure you are replacing your electrolytes better then a gaterade drink will and getting the extra fluids you will need.