Mild symptoms of Dehydration.. - ThinnerTimes

mistymee · 07-01-2008, 08:12 AM

I'm having mild symptoms of dehydration - slight dizziness/lightheadedness, mostly. I've been upping my fluids both last evening and today, but my question for those in the know is.. is this something I can take care of on my own by upping the fluid alone or is it a must that I call the doc and go get an IV?

I've mostly used up all my days here at work so I was trying to avoid leaving, plus I'd have to drive myself to the ER anyway if I left, lol.

What I've been drinking is all non-caffeinated drinks and SF popsicles..

Today, I've got my hands on some G2 (sugar free gatorade) with electrolytes as well... along with water, decaf coffee, etc.

The 'output' does show an increase as well (annoyingly so) and it's a fairly clear yellowish.. not dark nor cloudy..

Thoughts?

SimplySamaria · 07-01-2008, 08:21 AM

drink drink drink till you float. And remember if you are working out or outside.. you need even more. Takes a bit of time to recover from that. But keep the fluids coming you should see your urine lighten in color slightly, I's stick to clear liquid (cut the coffee?) for a bit today. Good thinking on the G2!!!

MiladyB · 07-01-2008, 09:03 AM

Hey there Kel. You should be fine by upping your fluids. As long as you are getting them in, no problems. You don't need to go to the ER for an IV. You're pretty much accomplishing what an IV would do for you by increasing your fluids. The fact that your urine is pale yellow and that you are voiding more is a good indication that you are getting in what you need.

If one of my minor burn patients loses their IV we often opt to try to get them to drink instead of sticking another one back in them. As long as they are drinking and putting out enough urine that's the way we are handling it. If their urine output drops (minimum we want to see is 1-2 oz per hour) and it starts to look really concentrated...well they have won themselves a new IV quickly.

Hope that answers your question.

mistymee · 07-01-2008, 09:11 AM

Okay, thanks! that is the info I was hoping for

I've drank more this AM than I ever have managed before in such a short time.. which shows me something- I CAN get more in than I thought, if only I put my mind to it. (urine is now almost completely clear, too.. good sign, I hope?)

I know this all stems from my trip to VT and back.. the potty stops are far and few between and so I didn't have enough, then running around all weekend, I just wasn't being as careful as I needed to be.

I need a better plan for the next trip up.

mistymee · 07-01-2008, 11:31 AM

I managed to get over 60 oz of fluid by noontime today... ugh.. I'm gonna need to move my desk to the ladies room for heaven sake!

Maybe a stupid question for someone 5 months out as I feel I should know this, but will I stretch out the pouch or stoma by forcing myself to drink so much so quickly?

I am really sick of drinking stuff but will keep at it.. I still feel kind of lightheaded, but not as bad.

MiladyB · 07-01-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistymee

I managed to get over 60 oz of fluid by noontime today... ugh.. I'm gonna need to move my desk to the ladies room for heaven sake!

Maybe a stupid question for someone 5 months out as I feel I should know this, but will I stretch out the pouch or stoma by forcing myself to drink so much so quickly?

I am really sick of drinking stuff but will keep at it.. I still feel kind of lightheaded, but not as bad.

You know, Kel...my own personal opinion on the stretching your pouch is "no" but when you start feeling full, stop drinking until that feeling is past. You don't want to over-fill your pouch. Frequent over-filling is where the concern comes in. So don't drink so much that you are uncomfortable. The general rule of thumb is 64 oz/day. If you are going into this dehydrated you want to increase that but considering your urine is SO pale, I would say you are getting in your fluids ok and you may not have to push it quite so hard the rest of the day. I would think that if you are getting in like about 70 oz today you'll be fine.

Now with all of that drinking are you eating at all? If you aren't the light-headedness could also be a bit of hypoglycemia. Don't forget to eat!! Oh, and when you eat remember to wait before you start drinking again.

mistymee · 07-01-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiladyB

You know, Kel...my own personal opinion on the stretching your pouch is "no" but when you start feeling full, stop drinking until that feeling is past. You don't want to over-fill your pouch. Frequent over-filling is where the concern comes in. So don't drink so much that you are uncomfortable. The general rule of thumb is 64 oz/day. If you are going into this dehydrated you want to increase that but considering your urine is SO pale, I would say you are getting in your fluids ok and you may not have to push it quite so hard the rest of the day. I would think that if you are getting in like about 70 oz today you'll be fine.

Thanks for that Beth..I did slow down my fluids a bit in the afternoon somewhat, as I was more uncomfortable with the need to pee so much more than anything else. (The ladies room is not very close nor very convenient to me.) I never drank enough to be uncomfortable, but it was just so much more than I normally get in so I worried about.

Quote:

Now with all of that drinking are you eating at all? If you aren't the light-headedness could also be a bit of hypoglycemia. Don't forget to eat!! Oh, and when you eat remember to wait before you start drinking again.

I have been eating okay.. for BF I had one egg and for lunch I had some LF deli turkey & ham with some LF cheese.. dinner was FAGE with honey almond flax Kashi Crunch.

I checked my blood sugars throughout the day as I still carry my testing kit (and check daily) and my BG were in the 94 to 102 range most of the day (did the test four times so far today, as a precaution..normally just once or twice a day though.)

At one point, I wondered if maybe it could be blood pressure as before I had diabetes, my BP was always on the low side, but I think that low blood pressure wouldn't present as being both lightheaded and dizzy would it? I am familiar with the lightheadedness from LBP but not dizziness...... and there were times when the room was spinning a bit.

In any case, the dizziness has abated somewhat this evening but I still feel slightly light in the head.

Geof might say I'm always a bit dizzy, LOL.

MiladyB · 07-01-2008, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistymee

Thanks for that Beth..I did slow down my fluids a bit in the afternoon somewhat, as I was more uncomfortable with the need to pee so much more than anything else. (The ladies room is not very close nor very convenient to me.) I never drank enough to be uncomfortable, but it was just so much more than I normally get in so I worried about.

I have been eating okay.. for BF I had one egg and for lunch I had some LF deli turkey & ham with some LF cheese.. dinner was FAGE with honey almond flax Kashi Crunch.

I checked my blood sugars throughout the day as I still carry my testing kit (and check daily) and my BG were in the 94 to 102 range most of the day (did the test four times so far today, as a precaution..normally just once or twice a day though.)

At one point, I wondered if maybe it could be blood pressure as before I had diabetes, my BP was always on the low side, but I think that low blood pressure wouldn't present as being both lightheaded and dizzy would it? I am familiar with the lightheadedness from LBP but not dizziness...... and there were times when the room was spinning a bit.

In any case, the dizziness has abated somewhat this evening but I still feel slightly light in the head.

Geof might say I'm always a bit dizzy, LOL.

Actually a low blood pressure could make you feel lightheaded and dizzy, Kel. Is there any way you can check it? I know some of the drugstores around here have a place to check your own. You may want to make sure it isn't your blood pressure.

Sounds like you are eating ok. Glad you are keeping such a good eye on your blood sugars. Doesn't sound as if it is hypoglycemia. Sometimes people do get rather dizzy feeling if they don't eat often enough. I know some people that have to eat something like every 2-3 hours or they get dizzy. But since your BS are fine it probably isn't that either.

Well just make sure you are getting in at least 64oz of fluids.

Deirdrea · 07-02-2008, 10:29 AM

I know you were dehydrated and so you needed to get your fluids in, just be careful not to drink too much. You can overhydrate yourself as well. I don't know if physically we could drink enough to be in that category but its not something that I'd want to screw around with either. Water poisioning can be just as dangerous as being dehydrated.

MiladyB · 07-02-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deirdrea

I know you were dehydrated and so you needed to get your fluids in, just be careful not to drink too much. You can overhydrate yourself as well. I don't know if physically we could drink enough to be in that category but its not something that I'd want to screw around with either. Water poisioning can be just as dangerous as being dehydrated.

Deirdrea is right, that can happen but it takes ALOT of water to do that to yourself. If you over-hydrate ALOT it can mess up your electrolytes. Particularly your sodium. I've had patients who have done it but they are few and far between.

So I really don't think you need to worry too much about it but it is worth being aware of it. Thanks for bringing up that information, Deirdrea.