Hi Deb,

Welcome to the forums.

I'd be interested in knowing if anyone else has had kidney problems because of dehydration, but some of the things I do to help in that area include:

- Eating water-rich foods like cucumbers, tomatoes, fresh fruits/veg, and limiting dry foods like crackers, potato chips, etc. You'd be surprised at how much liquids are in something like a salad! 

- I find that V8 (or any other vegetable juice) also helps as it also comes with sodium and potassium.

Are you on medication that would have (or could) be making things worse? And are you being monitored through urine/blood tests?

Hi , thanks for the reply. Yes, I am monitored regularly for blood and urine . I also see a kidney specialist once per year to check on things. No, I'm not on any medication for 2 years now, and very happy about that! 

I do love V8 juice so just need to remember to drink more of it. I  know when my sodium gets really low because I crave big glasses of Clamatto juice which I also love, lol

Yay for V8!  

For me, I tend to notice that my output gets really sluggish and thick when I'm dehydrated, but I also keep an eye on my urine output (volume, frequency, and color). 

I have other tips in THIS article if you haven't already seen it.

Hi Deb,

I have been battling dehydration issues since my surgery.  I am just now decreasing my oral rehydration fluids and relying more so on just water.

When it first started I ended up in the hospital and my blood pressure was extremely low.  

I started with two gatorade G2's (less sugar then normal gatorade) 500ml bottles  with a teaspoon of salt each day.  Plus two (200 ml) of either gastrolyte or hydralyte per day.  Plus a bunch of immodium cause my output was watery.  

I've also tried electrolyte replenishment tabs that you add to water but i found they weren't as good.

I recently hiked too much under the heat of the sun and got dehydrated. It affected me adversely for two weeks. After "kicking myself ", I started to drink V8. Sacramento sells 48 oz. cans of the same product for a dollar less.

At 66, I have to be more cautious. 

I got that advice from Eric @ veganostomy.  Thank you very much. 

I know we are all different, but how many ounces of liquid are you all drinking each day?  I am so worried about dehydration (and other adverse effects of my current chemo situation) that I am drinking about 90-100 ounces each day, mostly water and a 20 oz Powerade zero. I have v8 but I forget to drink it, I'll be more mindful of that.

Illona,

Congrats on getting back to work! Thats really great I am happy for you. WHOO-HOO.

You asked about hydration ... for me I just drink pretty much all day. Sips, gulps whatever. I must drink at least 3L of water a day.. about 6 pints or more I guess. I just keep refilling my bottle. The idea is to drink until you need to pee  on a pretty regular basis. AD your pee should be light yellow. If its dark, you are not drinking enough ( unless you have just taken vitamins or eaten fortified cereal, or something else that might affect the color).

I am shocked at how much I need to drink now.. but if I don't keep at it I start to feel 'off'. I'm near San Diego, so its warm now too.

Plus.. I drink coffee in the morning and iced herbal teas in the afternoon. Plus the wonderful V-8 ... good for salts and potassium. ( if you have a Trader Joe's try their vegetable patch Juice).

I just start with water as soon as I get up in the morning and taper off when I go to bed so I don't have to pee in the night so much.

I buy the fancy VOSS bottles ( just because its a sturdy bottle..) and then I keep refilling them. They even go through the dishwasher and last a couple of months. Expensive water, but cheep refillable bottle. Also the lid goes on well and is wide and easy to refill.  ( they come in both plastic & glass..I use plastic as its lighter in weight).

GOOD LUCK!