Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: lillidiamond on July 17, 2014, 11:57:26 PM
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Hello everyone,
As I lie awake in in this (hopefully) very short heat wave it seems a good time to talk about dehydration. I had terrible joint pains a few months after my radical hysterectomy at 48 years old. It's mostly my hands and wrists that were affected but also I often have stiff legs, ankles and hips. It took me a while to realise that for me it's mostly caused by dehydration. I can't believe what massive amounts of water I need to drink every day but it really makes a HUGE difference to the symptoms.
Have any of you had the same experience?
LilliD x
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Hi LiliD
Just thought I would respond to this thread.
One thing I don't do, is drink enough fluids esp water. My usual input of fluids is 4 cups of tea during the day and half bottle of wine in the evening. If I push my self I may have 1 glass of water.
For ages I have been feeling achy in my joints and rather lethargic with a wooley head, as I put everything down to meno, just wondering if Im not drinking enough fluids.......
mmmmm interesting W
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To be healthy, you need to keep rehydrated, which means respond to thirst. Don't ignore it. Simple conditions like headaches or cramp can respond quickly to drinking water.
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However: do not get drawn into the 'bottled water' idea of 2 litres of drink per day! In a balanced diet we take on enough fluids in our food and 'usual' drinks. The ONLY way to be certain is to check the urine colour.
The 1st pee of the day is likely to be dark. Those following should be straw coloured, if lighter or clear then the person is drinking too much which can lead to sodium loss = cramp.
Paternal Grandma would say 'not enough salt' if we had cramp which as teens we often did. It doesn't matter what we drink either, alcohol in moderation is OK but it can dehydrate so a glass of water to each of wine ;).
I have 1 black T with 2 sugars at breakfast; another mid-morning with a bun although yesterday I had a hot chocolate in a cafe; another cuppa after lunch and 2/3 in the afternoon though in recent weeks I have noticed that they don't' taste as 'good' as the day goes on - by evening they taste awful :o - so DH will mix me a thick chocolate milk-shake with which I take my evening tablets. We have fizzy bottled water in the fridge and occasionally fruit juices. All my liquid is made up with food.
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Nights out, of which there are zero these days ;D, I would alternate alcoholic drinks with water. My friends would mock, but guess who didn't get a hangover.
I drink in small amounts throughout the day. Unless I'm extremely thirsty I cannot down a glass of water.
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Nor me, if I'm not dehydrated my stomach becomes bloated really fast.
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I usually drink 2 large cups of weak tea in the morning, one at lunch, 2 at tea time, one late evening. In between, I have a glass of water by me at the computer, and refill it if it disappears. I have a glass of water by me at night in case I wake up hot.
I have done this ever since I had a kidney stone (7 years ago) and if I do not do it, I get a headache and constipated. The most effective way of preventing further kidney stones seems to be to drink plenty, and so far, so good.
The amount of water I drink varies - I need very little extra in the winter, and loads in the summer.
I never really feel hugely thirsty, which is probably why I can ignore it and end up with a headache. It is amazing how a glass of water will disappear, though!
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My urine is usually very dark, because Zi know test I am probably dehydrated - I also get joint pains which improve no end when I do make the effort and drink more.mI usually gave two mugs of tea plus a glass of squash each day and I know this is not enough. This thread gas been useful and Iam going to make more of an effort from now on!
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It's,a misapprehension to think that tea can be counted in your total fluid intake. Tea like coffee is a diuretic and makes you loose fluid.
Juice and water is really the only way to take on the ideal amount of fluid in a day.
For every cup of tea or coffee you should have one of water.
Honeyb
x
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Great topic, I'm really lazy when it comes to drinking, and given the amount of sweat I produce, I didn't associate the aches with that...good incentive, am off to fill my water bottle now! x
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Remember what else you eat/drink though as the whole of your daily intake. Soups, juices, milk drinks or puddings all help to encourage the kidneys. Make sure that your urine is straw coloured, not dark!
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We need just plain old water. We just don't get enough from food or milk. I have a glass every time I go near the sink. To start with I widdled for my country but not any more.
Keep drinking ladies ;D
Honeyb
x
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YUK - my water is from a bottle, all fizzy ……….. couldn't bare it from the tap :-X. DH is on the wine, i will have a milkshake in my bath later …….. lots of frothy chocolate bubbles :-*
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Lovely soft water up here CLKD. Tastes really good.
Honeyb
x
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Important to sip water instead of gulping it down. It is absorbed much better by the body apparently.
Taz x
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I found that the two days I spent on a drip in hospital recently did wonders for my skin. No more dry legs or arms - it felt so soft like it used to when I was younger. Did anyone see the tv programme recently about iv for rehydration and vitamins? I've found this article about it - seems a bit over the top to me! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2699725/Is-IV-drip-ultimate-hangover-cure-FEMAIL-road-tests-rehydration-treatment-loved-Cara-Delevingne-Rihanna-Rita-Ora-ahead-UK-launch.html
Taz x
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I think I have just got used to drinking more.
If I drink too much tea however, I am never out the loo whereas water alone does not do that.
Strange way to get soft skin Taz :o
Honeyb
x
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A few years ago I noticed a neighbour who had been in for a prostrate op had been told to drink lots of fluids all day for 6 weeks, over this time I noticed how much better his skin looked and it made him look younger, so I too got into sipping fluids throughout day, sip on a litre of water at least and top up with 1 large class coconut water and another of well watered down squash. I too peed for britain initially but dont now and feel so much better for it. Am sure we all have a level that suits - I drink a large glass before going to bed and usually pee is fairly light coloured in morning when I drink large glass with freshly squeezed lemon, it stops you eating to much which is another bonus.
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I love coconut milk ………….. but wouldn't dare have a sip or the lot would be gone and then I would probably feel bloated ::) …………
Lime juice diluted can be freshening, poured over ice with sugar around the rim of the glass.
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mmmm - sounds good, :-*