Hydration

Hi @jodee I have also had problems with dehydration not due to my heart transplant nor my anti-rejection medications but due to the accident and being hit by the car but I will tell you what my doctor's told me after being hospitalized for severe dehydration in April they told me even if I am a big water drinker to drink juices and milk anything that contains water is a good thing to drink even tea and coffee is good yo drink in moderation I myself still am having problems with my kidneys due to the dehydration I suffered but juice and milk and most anything that contains water will be good for your husband and still keep encouraging him to drink water try lemon in his water or even a little mint try experimenting with different flavors in the water and see if he likes it I like cucumber and mint water ginger and lemon water and strawberry and kiwi or just plain fruit infused water myself those are some suggestions I have for you to try hope this helps you out
Glinda

@glinda thank you for the ideas! I just happen to have mint and cucumbers here. 🙂 I did put a slice of lemon in his water the other day, but didn't think to add ginger. Yum!
Blessings,
JoDee

@jodee you are welcome always

Fresh ginger is best and use a small thing slice when yo do

@jodeej Good subject, especially in this heat!
My husband fills a water bottle with ice and adds flavoring, the brand he likes is called Mio. I think its like kool-aid but it's in a little squirt bottle and you control how much you put in and adjust to taste.
I've found I drink a lot more water when I use a straw. In fact, I use the Mayo cup from my hospital stay every day, it reminds me of why I need to stay hydrated.- I had to buy a brush to clean the straw though.
I've heard of many ways to keep track of how much water you drink. marking it down never worked for me. I put a container holding the amount needed in the fridge. A friend has 6 hair ties on the neck of her water bottle and she slides one to the top every time she refills it. My husband brings 2 water bottles to work and knows he needs to refill each before he leaves for the day. We are very lucky in Oregon that we can drink the tap water, the convenience really helps!

@mauraacro thank you for the great ideas! I especially like the idea of keeping a pitcher of water in the fridge every day. I've looked at the Mio flavorings, but I think I'd prefer actual fruit. My husband may like them, though.
Thank you again,
JoDee

These are fabulous ideas!
At 9 years post transplant, I am excited to learn new ideas. Over my post transplant time, I have become a plain water drinker (I know that sounds blah) but for me it is the easiest way to do it. I do like to perk it up occasionally with lemon or lime. I am even known to add water to my half glass of unsweetened iced tea to get extra water. And always, a glass of water with meals.
I fill my pitcher and leave it on the counter to remind me how much I need to drink before end of the day. I try to take a drink each time I walk thru the kitchen.
And I have made it a routine practice to carry my Mayo water bottle with me anytime I leave the house.
I think of it as something that I 'have' to do to keep these beautiful transplanted organs happy.

Sometimes a big glass of water is overwhelming. So, have you tried using a smaller glass? just remember to fill it more times throughout the day!

I prefer most of my daily water to be at room temperature. I learned that I can only sip ice water.

While I am not a transplant patient, my husband is, after receiving his "Kermit the Kidney" almost two years ago. We both are very aware of hydration now, and he has gotten used to me making sure there is always water in each vehicle, at least. This area has good water right out of the tap, so it is easy to make sure there is a glass of fluids nearby. Like others have said, juicy fruits are good, and I find myself drinking more if there is just a bit of flavoring in the water.

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