Question:
Can someone please explain to me EXACTLY what happens when you get dehydrated?

I know it's not good, but I don't know what dehydration actaully feels like, etc. I know what it is by definition.    — [Anonymous] (posted on November 23, 2001)

November 23, 2001
Symptoms of Dehydration: <p> 1st: Thirst, irritability, fatigue, weakness, apathy, emotional instability (cranky), chills, clammy skin, nausea, throbbing heart beat, loss of appetite, low blood pressure. <p> 2nd: Headache, cramps (leg cramps, hands, etc.), shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion, tremors, tingling in arms, hands, and feet, irritated eyes, fainting <p> 3rd: Visual problems, hallucinations, deafness, swollen tongue, kidney failure <p> Pinch your skin..if it stays put or slowly goes back into shape you may be dehydrated.. I had a problem with severe legs cramps (charlie horses, shin splints etc.) when I became dehydrated post-op, once I figured out I was not getting enough water they stopped, thank goodness no fun at all....
   — Victoria B.

November 23, 2001
At first I got real dizzy. Like the room was spinning around and I couldn't hold my head up. I drank a sports drink and that went away. Then a couple of days later I got these incredable stomach cramps. I'm talking about the kind of cramps you get when your going to have a BM, but these didn't go away and it wasn't in spurts. It was a continuous cramping. I didn't do the pinch test, but I do it now. I don't ever want to be in that situation again. IV fluids cured the pain very quickly.
   — [Anonymous]

April 17, 2003
My experiences with dehydration is you get very weak, your temp rises. There was one time when I could not even eat a piece of bread. Could only keep drinking fluids and they would just run out.
   — Ann W.

May 31, 2003
It's very warm where I live and I found that the dehydration issue can be a life or death issue. there is a point where you can become dehydrated and not be able to get enough water in because of the surgery. If you don't keep taking in fluids while being active you may find yourself in big trouble. One morning I woke up feeling dehydrated and took just a couple of sips of water before going on a 2 mile walk. As I walked I began to feel more deydrated and started to feel week. Near the end of the walk I had to go up a very small hill. When I got up to the top I felt Like I was having a heart attack! When I got home I spent the next 4 hours rehydrating myself and staying cool. Since I am only 3 weeks post-op I have made the choice of fluids over foods. Because you cant take fluids while eating and have to wait 1/2 hour before and 1 hour after eating to drink anything, I eat a small amount once a day(usually at dinner).
   — Dale G.

September 27, 2003
Being dehydrated is just like being hungover. Drinking beer etc. dehydrates you. How you feel in the morning after drinking too much is how you feel when dehydrated. It has the same symptoms and remedy.
   — Lisa H.

January 24, 2005
Hi, I haven't had my surgery yet. But I am a nurse and dehydration is very serious. It can lead to kidney stones, blood clots and could result in Kidney failure, and a host of other serious problems. my sugestion would be to lay off the salt and get your fluids in anyway you can. suck on ice, sips of what any beverage your doc has approved but GET THOSE liquids in. If you stop peeing for more than 6 to 8 hours, or your urine gets very dark amber colored and smelly call your doc. I'm not trying to scare you but it could be a really big problem. gail
   — thresg