Dehydration

[pammy_hyland]

Hi do any of you suffer from dehydration? I do very badly and even though I'm drinking lots I am still getting the headaches and nausea...I know its dehydration as my doctor mentioned that I was when p l had a urine test for a medical ...I was just reading it common with fibromyalgia and wondered if it is with PMR too ...Has anybody any idea please?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

On what grounds did he say it was due to dehydration? If you are dehydrated it is either because you aren't drinking enough or there is a medical problem.

[piglette]

What do you mean by drinking lots? Does your pee smell? Is it a dark yellow? Do you pee a lot? Are you thirsty? Are you tired?

[Constance13 in reply to piglette]

I drink as much as I can but Doctors always say it's not enough. This business of 2-3 litres per day is relatively new. Our parents/grandparents drank what was necessary and they often lived into their 70-80s. I think we all take these things too seriously these days.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

The 2-3 litres a day is not really general, Two litres is more than enough for most healthy people when it isn't very hot and you are eating normally, Fruit, veg, salads, milk on cereal, soup - all fluids. There's lot of guff about "tea and coffee doesn't count" as they are diuretics - so is water! Says so on the mineral water bottle The body is quite clever - it knows if you need more water or you have had too much and the kidneys change their production of urine.

But you do need to drink the right amount for you and a lot of older people don't feel thirsty and don't drink enough without encouragement.

[pammy_hyland in reply to PMRpro]

I drink loads eat all the right things the've now suggested I Key Electrolytes in drinks as your body asorbes the easier and the rehydrate better ..It makes you feel so ill ..They say its long term steroids ..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to pammy_hyland]

I've been on pred for well over 11 years - I have never been dehydrated.

[pammy_hyland in reply to PMRpro]

Everybody is different..xx

[piglette in reply to pammy_hyland]

How long have you been on steroids? I must admit I have never had problems and my doctor and I agree my pee looks like a good coloured Loire wine!

[pammy_hyland in reply to piglette]

10 years xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

As long as that is a Chinon blance and not a rouge that's fine ...

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

That is what my GP said!!

[SnazzyD in reply to pammy_hyland]

What measurement are they taking to say you’re dehydrated?

[pammy_hyland in reply to SnazzyD]

Urine tests

[SnazzyD in reply to pammy_hyland]

Probably the specific gravity patch on the dip stick. Do you take any medication that makes the urine a bit darker? There are a number of them and they can confuse the results. What dose are you on?

[pammy_hyland in reply to SnazzyD]

No only Lansoprazole to protect my stomach xx

[SnazzyD in reply to pammy_hyland]

Sorry to keep on, but it seems a bit odd. What colour is your wee? How many ml of fluid do you drink a day? Did they check your electrolyte levels as in the basic kidney test that made them think you needed to take drinks? Maybe if you need electrolytes you need just sodium and not the potassium for example. Low adrenal function for example (at low Pred doses) can cause low sodium and increase in potassium which you don’t want.

[pammy_hyland in reply to SnazzyD]

Thats what I said I'm starting the drinks today ..My wee is fine as I'm drinking 3 Ls a day at least xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to pammy_hyland]

If you are drinking 3 litres of fluid a day and your doctor says you are dehydrated it suggests there is something wrong.

[pammy_hyland in reply to PMRpro]

Thats what I've said futher down the thread xx

[Casia]

Have you had your thyroid checked or been tested for diabetes as these can cause dehydration?

[pammy_hyland in reply to Casia]

That is next after lockdown .I'm going with trying the drinks for now xx

[pammy_hyland in reply to pammy_hyland]

I am edging more towards diabetes but they don't think I've got it full blown yet as long term steriods use can ruin your internal organs but as the other option is being wheelchair bound and in pain as I was very nearly then I'll take the steroids..So its a fine balance till then and I do not want to be going to hospital at the moment unless I have too ..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to pammy_hyland]

"as long term steriods use can ruin your internal organs"

have they explained that particular claim? All my internal organs are fine ...

I think someone may have got hold of the wrong end of the stick - ANABOLIC steroids can cause that sort of damage. Pred is a corticosteroid - very different. There are long term risks but not that.

If you are edging towards diabetes, have they suggested that you cut your carbohydrate intake? Many people on the forum have changed to a low carb diet as it helps avoid the weight gain that pred often causes and also reduces the risk of developing steroid-induced diabetes. There are lots of threads about it or you could start your own asking what experiences other people have had.

[phebamom]

It is a prednisone thing, and a water pill thing, and a BP med thing, A lot of medications can interfere with our fluid balance. When they draw my blood prior to the Actemra infusion it is the consistency of sludge. They are telling me to really tank up on water prior to my visit. I try to drink a lot of water, but apparently it is not enough. I also try to watch my sodium intake. Everything just seems to be out of balance.