Water?

[SandraCT]

I know that water is very important for us with IC even though it may make us go more. I have severe retention due to a neurogenic type bladder. I was wondering how much water you drink on a daily basis? I read that 9 cups is average for a female and also the output should be about 6.3 cups even though we loose more from BMs and sweating and stuff. Should I drink more than this? I have to start keeping a voiding diary. The most output I have is first thing in the A.M. I get about 1 1/2 cups and then I'll get that amount when I go again but what concerns me is that I think this is all the water I am retaining from the night before since my biggest void is in the AM. The rest of the day it is much less, sometimes only 2 ounces each time. I know I hold it in the AM more than I should because I'm in pain when I wake up but desperately trying to sleep still. Thanks for your help.
Hope you all are feeling better these days. I know this is a very draining disease!!!
Sandy

[Claredale]

Sandra, I drink about 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. Since I take a Prosed before goig to bed, I have to drink 8 ounces at least. As long as I am in "normal" mode and not stressed or over tired, I get up on the average of 2 times. I very rarely have retention anymore. Which I pmed you about. But even before Prosed, I found that drinking as much water as I could actually made my symptoms better. You know I have been under a great doctor's care during my life with IC, but I rationalized that if I stopped the water intake after 6:00, I would certainly not need to get up at night as much. I was up every hour at least, but I quickly learned that it was actually worse for me.

To answer our question. On average, I drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. If I happen to spend alot of time in the heat, I increase my water intake.

Hugs, Tracey

[SandraCT]

Hi Tracey

Thanks for your response and all your helpful information in your PM. I wrote down the Prosed on my BIG list that I am going to discuss with my new Uro that I am seeing in mid-July. I hope she can help me. I will PM you back tomorrow. It's almost midnight here and I am going to bed now. Oh when you say 8 glasses of water a day, do you mean about 8 cups of water? Thanks again Tracey. You and many others have been so wonderful.
Sandy

[ICNDonna]

I try to get six to eight cups a day. Our doctor says that's enough since we also get a lot in foods. There may be some people who need more, however. It's best to talk with your doctor.

Donna

[SandraCT]

Ok - so I know I drink at least 9 cups of water a day. Because of my neurogenic type bladder, at times I constantly have the urge to go but not much comes out. My doctor said because the signals are all messed up, this would happen and then there are times when my bladder is full but I won't have any sensation to go. The strange thing is that I go in the morning but as the day progresses it gets really bad. I mean I know I'm retaining because it's little dribbles and very weak stream/flow. But............since 1 a.m. (I'm keeping a diary now) I have peed 5 times now about every 2 hours and have output a total of almost 6.5 cups of water. I haven't drank any water yet since yesterday because I went to bed at 1 a.m. and just got up now (tired from peeing all night). My concern is................I'm assuming this urine is from all the water I drink the previous day. Is this bad? It's so strange that I can't release much during the day. Maybe it's from laying down. I try to go every 1/2 hour so something comes out. Thanks to everyone for all your help. I am going to ask my doctor how much water I should be drinking given my situation. I hope you all have a good day!

Sandy

[jen74]

I know that they say we should all drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, especially in the summer when it is hot. As far as you not having to go all day and then going alot in the A.M., well I kind of think our bodies are all different. They say if your body need the liquid, then you will not go as much even if you drank a huge glass a water an hour ago. I guess you body holds back what it needs and then when it has what it needs then it dumps the rest out. I would ask your doctor though just to make sure.
Jen

[lisabar36]

Hi, I love water, so I know I drink 6 to 8 glasses a day. As for urinating alot, when I first wake up in the morning is when I go the most. I feel like I am empty but then I have to go again 30 minutes later and that lasts for about 3 hours. So I wonder myself if I am not emptying all the way when I first wake up. Somedays I can wake up and have a great stream and somedays I wake up and it comes out so slow and doesn't want to come out and I feel like I have to push to get it out but I don't anymore because I know thats a no no.

[SandraCT]

Thank you all for responding. I am going to ask my doctor about the water situation too. I know it stinks to have this disease and other problems but it sure does help to have wonderful people to share this with who are always so kind and helpful. Hope everyone has a nice day!
Sandy

[songbird7]

I don't think there is any "one size fits all advise" about drinking water. It depends on the persons' bladder I would think. I am now able to drink 6 glasses a day, sometimes a little more. I know if I drank 9, I would be suffereing.
It's also important to drink good quality water. A good filter or, Figi water. I can't afford figi water all the time but have some once a month. Tap water may contain irritants to the bladder, in my experience.
All the best,:angel: