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How do you stay hydrated?

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Posted 7/29/2013 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a bit worried about the dehydration factor.  I love my coffee & have tried not to drink as much.  But - I've only had to pee 2 times in the last 18 hours.... 

How do you all keep hydrated?

Posted 7/29/2013 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
how much water do drink per day? i also have those days when i don't pee much even tho i drink at least 2 litters a day. just make sure you drink at least 2 litters a day.
Posted 7/29/2013 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Tow liters as in 64 ounces?? OMG. I am drinking probably one liter a day. Yikes - do you have any room left for other drinks? LOL
Posted 7/29/2013 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
lol... i also drink at least 3 big coffee a day ;)
Posted 7/29/2013 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
anyway, 1 litter is DEF not enough! you must drink at least 2.
Posted 7/30/2013 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Can you eat foods like pudding, yogurt, smoothies and ice cream? They will help with hydration, too. I eat fruits and veggies that help, too, but I am not sure you are at the point of eating those yet.

When you drink fluids you should also eat something that will help bulk. Pretzels are good since they are also salty.

Did your doctor give you Imodium and/or Metamucil instructions?

Are you showing more signs of dehydration? www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000982.htm
Posted 7/30/2013 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Equestrian Mom - thanks fro the great ideas! I have no Imodium instructions - if I eat applesauce my output thickens up, though.

As for dehydration signs - excessive thirst (can't seem to quench), dry mouth, low urine output & dark urine, my blood pressure has been low since surgery... I did find a great resource on some hydration tips. I also have Pedialyte powder packets that one of our fellow ostomates here recommended I bring to the hospital - I'm going to drink up some of that tonight. I just get full feeling so fast... Good to know about the pretzels - I have rods that I've been eating lately :)
Posted 7/30/2013 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
You may be at a point where you would benefit from an IV. I know you mentioned you are 2 hours from the hospital but you may want to ask your GP for help. When you get past a certain point nothing you do can get you to a safe level fast enough.

You may want to call your surgeon's office for their preferences with Imodium and Metamucil. Imodium slows things down and Metamucil will bulk things so you retain more fluids.
Posted 7/30/2013 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I struggle with keeping hydrated as I only have 230cm of small bowel left & an Ileo ( thanks to the delightful crohns not!) I tend to drink natural coconut water by the litres from the health shop its called Vita coco also I eat watermelon too. when I was in hospital paitients who had stomas performed were encouraged to drink an Electrolyte mix which helps to keep you hydrated that you sip throughout the day aswell as drinking your normal drinks i.e coffee,tea I will get the link for you with what you need to make it up at home and stick it on the bottom of here xx
Posted 7/30/2013 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Here you go MM, I don't know to do it where you can just click on it maybe one of the Mods could do it for me please

www.iasupport.org/pdfs/St.MarksSolution.pdf

You can add juice ( cordial) to it to make it taste better, also it's nicer when its chilled :0)
Posted 7/31/2013 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
crohnielass - thanks so much, I have ben sipping Pedialyte all day today & found a different homemade electrolyte drink last night that I will also try it is this:

1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. white Karo syrup
1 6 ounce can frozen orange juice
Mix all & add water to create 32 ounces of drink

This also came from a hospital pdf on ostomy care
Posted 7/31/2013 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Be careful with that the orange juice and sugary syrup could increase output.
I always have water with me, I drink probably 10 bottles a day, i refill them. And I eat some salty things.
That's worked for me so far.
Posted 7/31/2013 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
My advice is to fill a 1 qt or 2 qt pitcher with chipped ice and cold water each morning. Similar to the size pitcher the nursing staff would give you in the hospital. Drain it (through out your day) and refill if a 1 qt. size. You'll be amazed at how many times a day you can quickly stop at the kitchen sink and down another glass of cool water.

I don't nearly drink enough water from the kitchen tap than if I fill the pitcher each morning.
Posted 8/6/2013 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
key is to sip water throughout the day. I aso have a bottle of water on my nightstand and sip during the night if I get dry mouth. Haven't had any problems

I also like cocoanut water as it has electrlytes in it as well.

Posted 8/6/2013 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
" But - I've only had to pee 2 times in the last 18 hours.... "

Daaaym son, what are you, a camel? lol Only peed 2 times in the last 18 hours?!? Man you're good. I think you peed less than me at my top shape before UC. lol
Posted 8/7/2013 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
Somedude - ahhhh the voice of humor <3

BTW - I'm female :) I did get past this with lots of Pedialyte, though!
Posted 8/7/2013 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
Having urine that is very light in color or colorless you are well hydrated...when it is dark you are definitely not getting enough water...hubby always has water nearby and basically sips all day instead of drinking copious amounts all at once. He has a bottle by the bed and if he gets up during the night will also drink some then.
Posted 8/10/2013 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
      Force yourself to drink the water.  I know, it is hard for me to drink that much water in a day too eyes , but being hospitalized for dehydration four times in the last three years was NOT fun..lol.
Posted 8/10/2013 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Yikes - 4 times. I've been doing a bit better - it helps that I cannot drink soda now (gives me stomach ache) - at least it's one less thing competing for my thirst buds :)

Also - I did check with my Ostomy Nurse and she loves the recipe I mentioned in this thread for homemade electrolyte drink.
Posted 8/10/2013 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Here are some other options for home made electrolyte drinks.

4 cups of coconut water or water (or a mix of both)
1 cup freshly juiced/squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup of freshly juiced/squeezed lemon juice
6- 8 tablespoons of sweetener (Raw honey is best)
1/4 teaspoon unrefined salt (NOT table salt)

Warm up some of the water just enough to disolve the sweetener and salt, but don't make it hot water. Then mix in the rest of the water and the juices, chill and enjoy.

Here is another option...

32 oz. water
1 orange or cucumber sliced (both with peel)
1 lemon sliced (with peel)
1/4 tsp Himalayan sea salt or other unrefined sea salt, or Trace Mineral Drops
Combine in a glass water bottle, shake and cool in the refrigerator.

It is much better to use fresh squeezed juices to avoid the sugar in store bought versions. Using raw honey as a sweetener has many extra benefits, but sugar, regular honey, agave, stevia, splenda etc...will also work...the less refined the better, though. Unrefined salt is by far the best type to use for these drinks because it contains the minerals needed for hydration that regular table salt does not contain.

As for me....I'm worried that I could by hydrating too much, if this is possible, I have had a lot of output lately...hmmmm?
Posted 8/10/2013 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
UCwhat? - Thanks so much for those great recipes! I have Himalayn salt and never thought to use that for the drinks. I also have raw honey :)
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