Lack of thirst?: I could not find much in... - Cure Parkinson's

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Lack of thirst?

zawy profile image
zawy
10 Replies

I could not find much in the literature about this. Does any have a problem with not knowing when they need to drink liquids? I'm particularly interested in the beginning stages.

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zawy profile image
zawy
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10 Replies

My meds make me constantly thirsty. I carry around a bottle where ever I go.

12stargate profile image
12stargate

zawy

Every morning I fill 3 4 c bottles with water(96 oz)

If I drink close to that, I am good.

I understand that if i wait until I am thirsday to drink,

I am already dehydrated.

Somebody told me, drink as if your work depends on it.

Have fun :)

JohnPepper profile image
JohnPepper

Hi Zawy. Yes! I have had this problem for many years. I am not a doctor, just a patient who has managed to overcome many of my symptoms by using my common sense.

Pd is a brain problem. An area of the brain has been damaged by Pd, with the result that certain movements are affected and certain functions stop working.

I never know that I am thirsty. I seldom know that I am hungry, but can eat as much as I like. I seldom get the message that I need to urinate but when my bladder is full I wet my pants. I seldom get the message to defecate, and if I don't do anything about it, I became so constipated I have to take opening medication. I don't know that my body is gettng too warm or too cold. I do know when I walk into a room that is hot or cold.

I am able to do something about each one of these problems.

1. I have a glass of water close at hand all the time, when I am indoors. I drink as often as possible. If I drink too much I have to make a habit of urinating before I wet my pants.

2. I Sit on the toilet at a certain time every day and I take a wad of toilet paper and hold it with two middle fingers firmly over my rectum and gently massage it, without rubbing it across the skin, while pressing down with my stomach muscles, which causes the sphyncter to open and I am then able to pass a stool. Don't rub the skin as it will become very sore.

3. I eat at mealtimes, whether I want to or not.

4. Not feeling cold or hot does not worry me. When I get too cold I start to shiver internally and then I do somehing about it.

5. When I get too hot I don't perspire but I do start to become uncomfortable. My wife normally makes me aware of the room being too warm or too cold.

There is nothing more sinister than the fact that the brain does not give these messages to your conscious brain, but just get used to it and do as I suggest above.

Good luck!

John

in reply to JohnPepper

Noooooo. I am 52 and not ready for diapers yet. By the way the Preparation H wipes are fantastic for soothing.

12stargate profile image
12stargate in reply to JohnPepper

JohnPepper

Thank you so much John.

I find your suggestions very helpful, especially the one to help yourself

have a bowl movement.

With kindness, Eva G.:)

paddyfields profile image
paddyfields

The part of the brain responsible for alerting you to lack of sufficient liquid intake

does not work the older you get.

october61 profile image
october61

Dear Zawy,

I have 'pasted' an article from the Mayo Clinic.

Dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. If you don't replace lost fluids, you will get dehydrated.

Common causes of dehydration include vigorous exercise, especially in hot weather; intense diarrhea; vomiting; fever or excessive sweating. Not drinking enough water during exercise or in hot weather even if you're not exercising also may cause dehydration. Anyone may become dehydrated, but young children, older adults and people with chronic illnesses are most at risk.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I found that I dehydrate easily so, I drink water almost constantly. I also need to wash those medications down into my stomach every so often and seem to carry a bottle of water everywhere I go. Not exactly what you had asked for but, maybe of some use.

Take care,

Paul

Sedona profile image
Sedona

I am seldom thirsty, so drinking enough liquids is a problem for me. I also sleep very little, so drink more coffee than I probably should. This and the PD meds add to the problem of my already very low blood pressure.

Pennells12 profile image
Pennells12

Yes I do , can go all day before having a drink, but not because I'm thirsty , it's just my husband comes home from work and makes it , in the summer I set my alarm on my phone

KERRINGTON profile image
KERRINGTON

Yes, i'm never thirsty. I have to make a conscious effort to drink 1 glass of water a day. I read that our brain and water are important...prob there is a connection, at least for myself.