dehydration/water

[litliwlowa]

My BP is back on track--no systolic below 90. However, last night and today I've had a little pitting edema in my left leg a couple inches above my ankle, with a little tenderness. Concerned about it, since it's only in left leg. Don't know if this is fluid retention, since I did gain a little when drinking more water, or something more serious. Don't remember an injury, though with hypermobile joints and bad balance I suppose it's possible. Hoping for mild injury, since that can heal ;-)

I'd connect with your doctor on the edema just to be on the safe side. Especially as to the best of your awareness, you haven't injured it. Time to involve your doctor.

[quietdynamics]

I tend to get dehydrated during a "knock-down' flare.. which often lasts for days and I am too unwell to even eat.  About 20% of our fluids comes from foods.

Other flares can have gastro symptoms of IBS.. so fluid lose for days.

With the above I can 'feel' my electrolytes off.. and for me nothing will quench my thirst except certain Gatorades or such, which I sip for days.. the Quart size. Sometimes I make "homemade electrolyte solution". 

Color of urine 'and' quanity of urine output,  back of hand pinch test (one they do in the ER), dehydration headache, condition of facial skin and color, dry lips are signs for me.
Constipation can be a sign of dehydration.

I take meds 4 x's /day so a full glass of water each time... and I really need a glass of water upon waking .. so 5 out of the way without ever thinking about it .. and just sip the rest of the day, eat fresh fruits and vegs.

Our bodies strive for survival and will signal thirst.

But some flares of course are a 'knock out'.
When I can feel it coming I can begin to help myself.. life does not always work that way.. but, we can try.. and practice, diary has improved the odds in my favor. Leaning my triggers and pace.

Here is information on Dehydration from Mayo Clinic. (some ads on site so copy and paste)
mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
* recommendations for males is different than for woman.

At the Sjogrens Center (I got thirsty and took a huge swig of water) the NP, cautioned me to sip water throughout the day rather than 'drink' water, so that oral mucous film (can't remember the term she used?) is not washed away, as it is protective.

One site states "There is much debate about the amount of saliva that is produced in a healthy person per day; estimates range from 0.75 to 1.5 litres per day while it is generally accepted that during sleep the amount drops to almost zero"

I tend to consume about 2 liters of fluids/day. (the result of my spit test was very low, my mouth is very dry and I chew sugarless gum during the day to stimulate saliva).

[daisymay]

I have a Dr appt, and I'll address the edema (which is a little better, maybe because I cut back a little on the water, but not gone), BP and water issues. Hopefully he'll give me time to ask about the balance stuff I've been struggling with, too

[Xina]

I drink 60-70 ounces a day plus. One day it was dry, no humidity, and I drank only 604 ounces- I woke up in the morning so dizzy I couldn't even turn my head! When I opened my eyes the world was spinning and that was laying down. I drank water and it eventually resolved itself but probably should have gone to ER.

I have constant edema in my left ankle for almost two years and my Drs have never done an xray or made a fuss over it. So it's still swollen right behind the joint.

[SjoGirl]

I don't use caffeinated beverages at all. I drink one to two cups of water in the morning then either coffee or tea (one to two more cups) during the morning. A cup of water at lunch then tea after lunch. Cup of water for dinner then often some tea after as well.

The thing I learned is to be careful about washing sodium out of your body. I used to poo poo salt because of worries about high blood pressure. Turns out I had too little salt so I now use it, though judiciously.

[daisymay]

All lab work normal! I had backed off the water a little for about a day, and BP started running lower again. Since electrolytes are good, I'll increase water again. It also seems to be helping with the heartburn. Two benefits in one!