So.... I imagine regardless of our type of digestive issue we've all been told to drink more water. I buy bottled water - usually Poland Spring though sometimes Fiji (a treat) - how much water do you drink a day?
I find it soooo hard to drink-drink-drink...
Thanks!
I wonder if you might like sparkling water better? I know I do. I also know that sparkling drinks are considered itrritant for people with IBS, but I have never found they cause me any problems at all. My absolute favourite drink in the world is sparkling water!
I did try drinking flat water for weeks to see if I was any different, and no, I wasn't. But that might not be the same for everyone. IBS is very individual.
Of course, huge amounts of sparkling can't be gulped down fast, but I've found it's a drink I turn to frequently throughout the day and evening. By the time I've opened a small bottle, drunk some out, then gone back to it an hour later a lot of the fizz has disappeared anyway.
So I must get through about a litre of that a day, and top up my fluids otherwise with : any water I cook my vegetables in....cups of China tea _usually about 3 small-ish cups a day) and usually two mugs of black but fairly weak coffee in the mornings staggered, not one straight after the other.
But I had an issue with mineral waters with high bicarbonate, and (possibly) Magnesium. When I found a low mineral water with low levels of those two, my IBS-D tummy was happier. Some waters are very high in those.
The one I have has 7mg per litre of Magnesium, and only 55 of bicarbonate. Actually, I feel it was the bicarbonate that upset my gut a bit, more than the Magnesium. But to get low bicarb, I had to also opt for the only 7mg Magnesium as that was what came in the bottle!
I get plenty of Mag. in foods I can eat, and plenty in a multivitamin I take so that's fine for me.
Or if you just hate the taste of water you could maybe add some natural cordial in it. Something like organic Elderflower cordial or something else so long as it suited your gut? You'd still be getting the water
I must admit, plain ol' water gets a tad boring for me. I'm a big fan of seltzers (nothing added except flavoring) and iced tea.
One other thing I like to do is take a bag of herbal tea, put it in the bottom of a large glass, throw in some ice, the fill it with water. It steeps a little while you drink it. Just enough flavor to make the water interesting.
What a good idea! Can I steal it? Rosehips maybe...
I have CKD as well and only drink enough to keep my urine clear to light straw in colour. My dietitian tells me that is enough for me due to my IBS problems. About 1 1/2 litres per day, or more If I feel I can manage the volume. I filter my own water to eliminate nasties and micro plastics.
That's interesting, what's the reason your dietitian recommended not drinking TOO much because of your IBS?
I often find my IBS -D can be a bit worse next morning when I have sightly overdone the fluids the evening before, almost as if the water I take on board just gets stored up in my colon to be passed out in poop and doesn't go where it should!
The concern was if I drank enough. Been constantly told I have to drink 8 litres a day. Total fallacy. My dietitian recognises my inability to drink or eat much and is comfortable with what I am doing.
What happens to me is that there is a limit to the amount of food and fluid I can ingest each day before the stomach goes ballistic on me and then reflux backs up into the mouth stripping the lips. Normally I'm a max of 6 cups of tea and one small meal per day with a wholemeal sandwich for lunch. More than that and I'm in serious trouble.
I had my first meal in 13 days yesterday evening. One mug of home made veg soup and 2 slices of gluten free toast with melted cheese. Surprised myself with just some mild bloating. Fingers crossed I'm over the worst flare up I have ever had. It transpires BP meds have stripped the stomach lining and the aspirin is impeded the recovery.
Having severe constipation most of the time, can be a pain in the butt! I find myself wishing I had D and when I do, I curse myself for the wishing it so.
Never had the time to complain about my health, it is what it is. What I do about it, is what matters.
EIGHT litres a day?? That sounds ridiculous to me. There is such a thing as "water intoxication", with really huge quantities of water, but some people who advise us never seem to have heard of it, and recently the quantities of water recommended for "good health" seem to have got wackier day by day!
Body frame and size also has to have some relevance. What a 6 ft 6 large man could eat and drink will be a lot different to someone who maybe has the body frame of a 14 year old. Some don't have the capacity to eat or drink huge amounts. You know your own body and how it operates. It's good that your dietitian understands.
I feel reflux can sometimes be tied to constipation so if the "down below" bit got moving more, the reflux might be somewhat relieved? Does what you eat help at all or not? or exercise like regular walking? Maybe not....
Actually heard of a woman who died from water intoxication recently. It used to be 8 pints many years ago.
Tried everything my dietitian has suggested and no change. She is impressed that I'm one of her few clients that keeps trying variations to find a solution. I'm sure there are those who want a cure handed to them on a plate. I wouldn't mind, but so far no plate being offered!
I get the reflux from having food in the stomach flooding the acid back up into the mouth and lips. It doesn't matter if I eat small and often, just the total consumed in a day. I think my cat eats more than I do. The food bill has certainly come down. I have to keep conversations short or it will force the acid into the mouth also.
I'm on my feet at least 4 hours a day pottering about my workshop. Manage to force myself to walk 3Km when I walk, dragging my tail home uphill. More like a mountain to most people, just hills to us.
Determination and bloody minded keeps me going.
Hi I drink 1 and half litres bottled natural water with a slice of lemon or lime which gives a nice little flavour. That's if your ok with lemons/limes.
I just drink tap water. 2 litres a day. I use the same plastic bottle for months.
I find it hard to drink enough water too.
I have often wondered how men can just knock back pint after pint!
Gosh I remember that...happy days when I was so young and strong and guts were not worthy of mention. I'd done a mountain climb and came back to a village pub hours later, ordered two pints and drank one after the other without stopping!! haha I just felt great afterwards and ....hungry!
I was having a lot of urine infections and was taking a lot of antibiotics which I think caused my IBS. The consultant told me to drink a litre and a half of water every day. I have done this for over 3 years now and haven’t had a urine infection since. I don’t have a problem drinking still water. I also have a decaffeinated coffee occasionally and drink herbal teas.
I drink bottled water but nowhere near 2litres but you can include any liquid in the daily tally. I drink mainly iced tea. Now i am getting up to go to the toilet a lot, i have been told not to drink less especially in the evenings! You cant win
I buy Still Scottish mountain, 2 litre water bottles from Marks & Spencer’s, which can also be bought in a pack of 4 for £1.75. It’s lovely tasting water and because it tastes so natural, there’s no need to add anything.
I appreciate the reminder. I'm so bad about hydrating.
Yes, as far as I know, all drinks except heavily caffeinated ones which are diuretic, and alcohol go towards daily hydration. So water is nice, but teas, even mild coffee, juices etc all count.
Stupid question - fizzy water...
Can Tap Water cause IBS to flair up? 
Turmeric in warm water to help with diarrhoa 
Persistent Soft stool in the morning which dissolves in the water. 
