Well I'm 3 months out from last surgery and all is going very well, but I seem to be having bouts of dehidration. Went to ER 2 weeks ago for IV twice and feel like I need to go again. My output seems to be fine like runny babyfood and I'm up to 5hr intubating time,I drink 2-3 litres of water every day and glasses of juice. I don't know whats going on. Anybody else have problem?

Hi..here are my thoughts...

Do you have any other health issues? I get dehydrated because I sweat alot (from zoloft, genetics). I also have high blood pressure and need a potassium sparing diuretic.

To avoid the ER, you may check to see if your dr's office has an urgent care facility that can give you an iv drip. I can go in anytime and just pay my copay.

Have you gone to your GI dr to see if they have any ideas why you're dehydrated? The GI dr may also prescribe a potassium supplement such as KlorCon - they only make coated tabs so I have to bite mine and swallow.

Also, too much water can dehydrate you...the water needs to have the natural mins in it.

In the meantime, be sure you take an electrolyte supplement - I like to add Stamina twice a week because it includes the trace minerals and those help immensely.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JaniceM,

Ok, back from hospital, they gave me 2 litres of liquid and a bag of cypro. They said all blood work came back pretty much normal but white count was up 1 or 2 points so they gave me cypro. I have a phone appt. with Dr. Schiller tomarrow and will ask him. I just don't think I have pouchitis because I think my output is ok and I am making my 5hr intubation deadline.

Ugh, Dehydration is a constant battle for me. I had the Flu and let myself get way too dehydrated and ended up in the ER on Saturday for dehydration and a secondary infection in my sinuses. Not fun and the only thing you can do is drink more water and/or gatorade. I try to always have something in my hand to drink but this doesn't always happen. Then when you arn't drinking as much as you should be and you get a compounding set of other factors it can put you in a bad spot. I've been to the ER twice since I had my koch pouch due to dehydration (albeit once was from drinking too much the night before) and figure that it'll just probably happen once in a while.

I've been hospitalized 3 times for acute renal failure due to dehydration. Finally, the third time I was counseled daily about my diet.

I was told to stay away from sugar and caffeine, drink liquids that were free of those substances, and eat "as much salt as I could tolerate." That last one sounds odd, but that is what I was told.

So I suggest that drinking Gatorade may not be the best way to get liquids. Isn't the second biggest ingredient in it sugar? The minerals and other stuff may be great but maybe the sugar isn't too good for you.

Good luck. Oh, and my last hospitalization for dehydration was back in 2003, so I seem to have learned the trick of staying hydrated, at least for me.

Dr. Schiller reminded me that I have less in testine now with my completely new pouch and vale but that it shouldn't be a problem. He thinks I might have a slight case of pouchitis even if I don't feel it. So I'm on cypro to see if it makes a difference.

Water might not be working. As others have noted you need electrolyte replacement. You might want to try Vitalyte. It's the only electrolyte replacement product they sell at the Grand Canyon for those hiking down into the canyon. It has minimal flavor and sugar. Regarding the sugar in electrolyte products - I think I recall that in order for maximum effectiveness a bit of sugar is needed.

You can order a sample pack so you can try all four flavors.

I don't know how you do with bananas, but they are another great source of potassium.

kathy

Do you have a good GI dr? A scope can determine pouchitis...mine does it like a colonoscopy using a pediatric size tube billed through ins.

I love my GI doctor, he takes great interest in my kock pouch and has alot of jpouch patients so seems knowledgable.

Get better, nothing feels better then a good ole IV drip!

I have been suffering from continued dehydration. What can be maddening is that the electrolyte labs may read "normal" in ER or at dr's office, but clearly exhibit symptoms of dehydration (fast and irregular heartbeat, weakness, dry mouth, etc.) and have full relief after a liter or two of iv fluids.

I have developed chronic diarrhea which is exacerbated from my lack of gallbladder. They started me on Questran but dunno if helping yet. This is also to help me absorb medication better. CDiff and cultures remain negative. And, pouch scope is clear (and endoscope).

Gatorade has too much sugar and thus added calories and G2s artificial sweetner gives me a headache. Pedialyte works better but expensive and has some sugar too.

I ordered Ceralyte 90 - it's given to 3rd world countries to reduce diarrhea output and provide electrolytes. I'm hoping it helps, it's not cheap. I could make it at home by boiling rice and adding salt to it and drinking, but not always convenient.

http://www.ceraproductsinc.com...ctline/ceralyte.html

I also take Stamina, as it includes trace mins but can increase diarrhea due to the vit c in it. Vitalyte has Vit c too. So, it depends on what type of dehydration, diarrhea, sweating, both etc. I use different products.

I found an electrolyte capsule "Saltstick" buffered electrolyte salts. It's an easy to swallow capsule to take with plain water or juice or whatever you prefer.

http://www.saltstick.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Saltstic...bottle/dp/B002IY96B0

I'm hoping this helps without added calories and sugar! Plus it has a bit of Vit D to help absortion.

Please let me know if you all have other remedies besides gatorade, vitalyte, etc.

Thanks so much!

About 4 or 5 yrs ago I starting making a homemade lemonaide drink with the juice of 3-4 lemons(throw those squeezed lemon halves in with it), about a cup of fresh mint leaves, 1 tangerine or orange squeezed, and at least quart of water...I drink it all day long and then continue to put more water in the pitcher...it helps a lot...I also do another one with fresh fennel root cut up with mint and lemon...tastes a bit licorishy...I drink a pitcher a day minimum (you can add sugar or fake sugar if you like...) it doesn't give you diareah, refreshes and helps out with the electrolytes...I even got my hubby doing it now since he went into cardiac arythmia due to dehydration...
Sharon

Sharon, I was just reading that lemons provide electrolytes. And, that it helps with acidosis allowing the system to become more alkaline. Even though it's a citrus, it does the opposite.

http://www.suite101.com/conten...-amazing-lemon-a7109

I have a lemon tree and only was adding a squeeze. But, I can tolerate alot with adding sugar. I'm going to do this regularly.

And, I know lemon water is notoriously good to help prevent kidney stones (the calcium kind) and other kinds since dehydration makes our kidneys function poorly.

Glad you posted about it, I need more economic methods and adding the orange/tangerine (or splash of whatever ) will make it sweet and delish! thanks!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JaniceM,

Hey -
Pretty much agree with all here in this post. A couple additions as it is incredibly difficult to mantain balance on liquid intake, output and a good approach to mantain electrolytes. Not so important the amount as the quality of intake. Better to recognize early signs of approaching problem by urination (lots, not too little), finger tips (fleshy part of pads do not snap back when pressed together), tiredness and maybe cramps (probably too late when cramps occur). Drink lots of liquid, take potassium, bioplasma (celsalts) and rest. Vernors gingerale (not diet) is good (lots of mineral repleneshment). Actually, within reason, beer is pretty good too. And, if you start loosing too much liquid through your pouch, try making and drinking rice milk (heat, not boil rice, drain and drink the broth). I never liked or felt good about gatorade or like products.

Les

I don't do store bought stuff...can't afford it and too heavy to carry and often full of junk too...I am a really good juicer...especially the citrus and grape types (also good) and I eat tons of dried fruits and nuts for the minerals and fresh herbs (the forgotten source of minerals...really good to eat tons of freshly chopped herbs...in a pesto sauce?)
I do herb teas too...it seems that licorice-mint tea helps get rid of the pouch yuckies...I had a Swedish nurse back in 79 when they did my pouch and she pushed black, salty licorish (the real kind...thanks Wikki!) on me and said that used in small doses it helps, used in large doses it can cause diareah and shut off the sex drive (not my problem! )...
So if you like herbs...great to fight dehydration..
Sharon