I don't want to cut back on water!

Diet Forums : Health & Support (Library)

I don't want to cut back on water!		x17star17x
		May 16 2008 04:27
I'm so annoyed. It took me forever to get my water intake up to drink at least 64 ounces. Now I mindlessly drink water, but I enjoy it. It keeps me warm (I drink warm water in my cold office), and my appetite at bay, and it adds up throughout the day. Lately I've been intaking approx 2 gallons of water a day. Sounds insane, but it's SO easy for me to do. After experiencing some health issues (dizzy, fatigue, headaches, poor blood circulation), and my veins started looking poofy, I researched and I guess I'm intaking too much water so my blood is waterlogged? Ew. Now that I am aware I am drinking too much, I'm trying to cut back, but it's darn difficult. I feel thirsty but afraid to drink. I've already consumed around 170 ounces today (over a gallon). UGH who would have ever thought I'd have to refrain from WATER. Just had to vent :) PS: I should get my blood work results back tomorrow. I've been worried since my fingertips (under the nail) started turning blue from the poor circulation. NERVOUS! Pretty sure its a combo of lack o' iron and too much water.

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#1	gi-jane	May 16 2008 15:28
I doubt that your medical problems are being caused by too much water. After all, the body has a very efficient way of getting rid of the excess and healthy kidneys can process 1/4 gallon of fluids per hour. If you're drinking water at the expense of eating a balanced diet ('my appetite at bay') then you'd get a lot of the symptoms you describle. And if you're drinking so much because you're excessively thirsty all the time then that could be symptomatic of other medical problems. Are they testing your blood-sugar levels, for example? If you're genuinely thirsty, keep drinking. But if you're just doing it out of habit, try to cut back a little.
#2	x17star17x	May 16 2008 15:55
Oh I eat enough, trust me on that one :) Just around maintaining at 1400-1600 and most of it is fresh stuff. My problem, I think anyway, is that I don't eat red meat anymore. I am trying to eat more of it, but anything that has a lot of iron in it (beans and red meat), I am lacking. I hope it is just a lack of iron, and my water levels are fine, because I am going to miss my precious water. My 'appetite' at bay was referring to the fact that I'm a muncher. I love to munch all day, so having the water right there to sip opposed to grabbing a bag of something to much, was my best option. Maybe I should leave carrots handy or something.
#3	gi-jane	May 16 2008 17:42
I would preempt the blood test results and start taking an over-the-counter multivitamin with iron to top up your levels just in case. As I said before, I really don't think the amount you drink is having the effects you mentioned.
#4	x17star17x	May 16 2008 18:39
Yeah I've been taking a multi vitamin for almost a week now, plus iron, but this is getting to the point of annoying. I'll go vent somewhere else in AIM land :)
#5	jennpz89	May 16 2008 21:13
My fingertips always turn blue/bright purple. I talked to a doc and it's no big deal.
#6	playergirl	May 16 2008 21:26
Wow !! Waterlogged ? Yikes what an internet search can do !!! You did the very best thing seeing the doc and having blood work. Yeah, you're right, having something like carrots or something nutrious around is a great idea. Just hear the doc out and don't freak. Keep us posted. I am curious to know what the doctor says about the amount of water you drink. It's always been on mind since maintaining.
#7	thinthought	May 16 2008 22:25
my brother was actually told by a doctor that he needed to cut back on water as he losing nutrients- he follows a healthy diet, just drank too much water....
#8	lionpaw	May 17 2008 14:52
I just took comparative nutrition and you just described to me the symptoms of hyponatremia, which isn't so much an overload of water as it is an underload of sodium. You have diluted your blood too much, and the easiest way to fix it is to reduce your water intake. You could, theoretically, also fix the problem by eating more sodium, but you would also stress your kidneys out and experience some bloat. My guess, and it is just a guess, on the reason you feel thirsty, is your body has become accustomed to taking in that much water. You'll need to reduce your intake slowly, first to keep yourself satisfied, and second to prevent things like constipation and dry mouth. Your body is used to having a lot of water to work with. If you take it away too fast, your body may start drawing water from its own systems (like salivary glands, digestive tract) to make up the perceived loss.
#9	caloriecountingme	May 18 2008 02:26
i really don't think 2 gallons is abnormal. honestly, i probably drink that much water every morning at the gym. i do think it's possible that your electrolytes are low. i would certainly recommend potatoes, bananas and salt (rice cakes, pretzels, pickes, canned tuna, canned soup) and see if that doesn't help--before i'd recommend cutting down on the water.
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