Thirst before loose bowel movements: I can often... - IBS Network

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Thirst before loose bowel movements

Luisa22 profile image
9 Replies

I can often tell when I'm going to have a bad morning next day because I get a sudden irrational unquenchable thirst. I have to drink a lot of water and still feel thirsty.

Then next day I have loose bowel movements. Normally if my bm's are fairly okay I don't get that kind of thirst the day before.

I wonder if it could be caused by water being sidetracked into the large bowel somehow instead of going where it's needed in the body? (into the cells etc) Like all the water I drink is just going down the drain.

I pee normally at those times.

I don't have diabetes or any kidney issues etc. and no swelling on legs, body, face etc

Does anyone else get thirsty BEFORE a bit of a bad day? (I don't mean dehydration after loose stool which makes sense.)

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Luisa22 profile image
Luisa22
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9 Replies
Misspomfrey profile image
Misspomfrey

Funny you should mention this, I get something similar, but not really thirst, it's more of a very dry mouth and lips, so I drink more water than usual . I always know when there's going to be trouble when I get this the day before.

Luisa22 profile image
Luisa22 in reply toMisspomfrey

It's interesting that you get a similar thing too Miss Pomfrey. With me it's like a craving for water, right inside me and the water tastes so good, and I can't stop drinking. It's not just dry mouth and lips. Almost as if some dehydration is already taking place, even before I start with loose stool. So I feel it might be something about water not getting absorbed in the normal way, and just going out via the colon. I really don't know. I looked at the science of water absorption, Sodium "gradients" and osmosis etc but still couldn't understand what happens to me.

I do get plenty of Potassium too, luckily, as many foods which contain it I can eat. So I doubt if it's a Sodium/Potassium imbalance and my kidneys are apparently fine,

Misspomfrey profile image
Misspomfrey in reply toLuisa22

Yes, it's really strange what you describe 🤔 not really something that you'd think would be related to IBS, the same as my dryness in the mouth. I thought mine might be anxiety related but I just don't know. If you get to the bottom of it Luisa, let me know x

Misspomfrey profile image
Misspomfrey in reply toLuisa22

Just wondering Luisa, have you done a blood glucose test?

Luisa22 profile image
Luisa22 in reply toMisspomfrey

Yes, I have fairly regular blood tests (once a year...is that regular?) and there is never any problem apparently with my glucose levels.

Plus I sometimes get a pack of urine dipsticks and if I am feeling a bit weird or "iffy" I test my urine, just to see if things look steady, even though that's just a basic level. They are all fine too. I keep and use the dipsticks as instructed, and never get too many at once in case they get out of date.

I always tested my dog too, from time to time in the past just to keep a check on her. So I had been doing that for about 15 years.

Misspomfrey profile image
Misspomfrey in reply toLuisa22

Right, you sound like a very health conscious lady Luisa, very similar to myself. It's puzzling alright .. I've looked on line for my dry mouth symptoms but there's nothing. If your was anything horrible I'm sure you'd know about it. I used to check my blood glucose religiously with a home monitor, until all the little needles ran out and I couldn't get the correct ones after without buying a whole new monitor. Take Care x

Luisa22 profile image
Luisa22 in reply toMisspomfrey

Yes, the blood monitor is more thorough than the urine test for glucose. But still, the urine dipsticks should show if there was any imbalance happening with your sugar levels, and those are fairly cheap and easy to use. You could even get a pot of them and test 3 times a week if you liked. No needles!! haha.

Misspomfrey profile image
Misspomfrey in reply toLuisa22

Right, I might do that, these glucose monitors are getting expensive.Thanks

Luisa22 profile image
Luisa22 in reply toMisspomfrey

Well, it will help just to see if blood sugar levels are going up. But I did learn a lesson from testing my dog. She developed early stage kidney failure, and her dipstick results were okay. Even the vet tested via urine sample and got the same results. Only my instincts didn't trust it and I asked him to run a blood screening.

It was from that we discovered her early stage renal problem. It was easily fixed, and she didn't die from that. Sadly, she died of something unrelated the following year, and also sadly -when she was diagnosed with that terminal condition, her kidney values were all excellent!

So what I'm saying is, for a deeper view, a blood testing is best, even though a urine test gives a clue often.

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