Hydration

Posted by jodeej @jodeej, Aug 7, 2018

Hi all,
I've been MIA since my husband's transplant. I just wanted to let you know that things are going great! The one thing that is still a struggle is keeping him hydrated. This is so important to keep his kidneys healthy as the immunosuppressant meds can cause damage over time. He wasn't a big water drinker before so this transition is a challenge. Any ideas will be appreciated!
Blessings,
JoDee

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@jolinda

JoDee,
Great topic! I am a kidney transplant recipient and I really appreciate you bringing up hydration. Somedays the water just goes down and I am able to drink 3 liters with little effort and other days I struggle to get down the 2 liter minimum my Mayo team recommends. On days where I struggle I take out 2 1 liter water bottles and with a black marker I divide them into 3 sections each and write time goals on each section to keep myself on track. It's pretty easy for me to drink all the water I need when I have smaller goals that I can see and manage. Hope this helps.
Jolinda

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@yolanda- I am also a kidney patient, and luckily am not on dialysis, so there is no fluid restriction. In the past I wouldn't drink when thirsty because I was in a job where taking a break was next-to-impossible (regardless the state labor laws!). Now retired, I glut those fluids down!

@rosemaryarosemarya - a glass of cool water first thing in the morning tastes sooo good ;))

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@gingerw, I think you meant to tag @jolinda
Yep - I alos like that glass of water when I wake up! I just took my meds with a nice glass of water! Instead of a quick gulp to get the meds swallowed, I always drink a full glass.

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@jodeej Lots of good ideas here. I have a nice water bottle that keeps water chilled for a good amount of time. I don't like really cold water but in the summer if it's in the car it can get pretty warm, so that type of bottle comes in handy. Mine holds 3 cups. I am supposed to drink 80 - 100 ounces a day so if I manage to do three of my water bottles I am almost there and the rest is easy.
When I exercise in the pool at my club I always bring it and my goal before getting out of the pool is to do a certain amount of exercise and finish the water in my bottle!
If I am going to be mostly at home I put a pitcher on the counter and that keeps me up on how much I water I have drunk. My winter, uninsulated water bottle has a place to squeeze a half lime or lemon and leave it there. I think the lime makes the water a little more palatable. One time when I had it at the pool a small child asked me if I had a tennis ball in my bottle!
JK

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Hubby seems to do better with a glass than his water bottle. I think it's because he can see what's left in it. I keep pushing drinking it and I've noticed that when he drinks more that it helps keep his blood pressure down. đŸ™‚
Blessings,
JoDee

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@jodeej

Hubby seems to do better with a glass than his water bottle. I think it's because he can see what's left in it. I keep pushing drinking it and I've noticed that when he drinks more that it helps keep his blood pressure down. đŸ™‚
Blessings,
JoDee

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@jodeej I wonder if there is a connection between BP and hydration. That's interesting. I will have to make sure I really drink before any doctor appointments! My BP is sort of borderline -- high 120s over 60+. I really do not want to have to add another medication to my arsenal.
JK

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@jodeej

Hubby seems to do better with a glass than his water bottle. I think it's because he can see what's left in it. I keep pushing drinking it and I've noticed that when he drinks more that it helps keep his blood pressure down. đŸ™‚
Blessings,
JoDee

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@contentandwell there is a connection! I did some research and hydration makes it easier for your heart to move the blood. Water makes such a huge difference in how our bodies work.

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@contentandwell I am watching tv and there is an advertisement for a Hydration Spa. They do iv treatments for hydration. Ummmm.... Just drink more water people!

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@jodeej

Hubby seems to do better with a glass than his water bottle. I think it's because he can see what's left in it. I keep pushing drinking it and I've noticed that when he drinks more that it helps keep his blood pressure down. đŸ™‚
Blessings,
JoDee

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@jodeej I am drinking 80 - 100 ounces of water a day because the immunosuppressants were causing my creatinine to be high, so most days I do drink a lot. If we are traveling or I am running around doing errands, etc. I sometimes do not fulfill that. When possible I make up the difference in the evening but that wreaks havoc with my sleep. Good to know that it does help with BP too, another incentive to drink up.
JK

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@jodeej

@contentandwell I am watching tv and there is an advertisement for a Hydration Spa. They do iv treatments for hydration. Ummmm.... Just drink more water people!

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@jodeej I’ve never heard of such a place! If you spend the time that you would be there with just staying home and drinking water you would probably have the same effect at no cost.
I think another benefit of being well hydrated is that it helps your skin. I get many comments on what nice complexion I have. Of course that could be genetic or because of the anti-wrinkle creams I use!
JK

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