Question:
I can hardly get my fluids in

I hardly get my water in now, but I notice my shin is very dry and when I sratch my arms, legs or face or any part of my body I see whelp all over my skin. My son says I look like freddie kruger. So am I retaing water in my body? but urine is dark in color, I do get at least 50 oz water, sometimes more or less.    — Ruschell (posted on January 11, 2005)

January 11, 2005
I don't know about the whelps part since I've never seen that but I know I've always heard that dark urine means not enough fluid. I use a guideline I heard some doctor on televsion say.............he said if your urine is darker than the color of lemon juice, you're not well hydrated. I didn't look to see how far out you were but if you're a new post-op, it takes constant sipping to get your fluid volume up to an adequate level but it can and must be done, even though it can get very tiresome. Try sugar free popsicles, sugar free jello, crystal light, decaf tea, diet V8 splash, etc. If you don't like the water, try adding some lemon juice and some splenda. Some people like diet snapple, even watered down no sugar added fruit juices would be a fairly good choice.
   — scbabe

January 11, 2005
Couple of things come to mind. Is that 50 oz water, as in water? Or are you counting every wet thing? 64 is usually the minimum, and we can use even more. We tend to run dry. Have NO idea where we put it, tho! What is your vitamin regimen like? Are you taking dry form vit E? (do) and are you avoiding fats obsessively? (don't). Of course, you need real blood levels to see if something is WRONG, but those are some places to start.
   — vitalady

January 11, 2005
Hi, sounds like the ladies before have given you good advice. Dark urine is indeed an indicator that you are dehydrated but it can also be from your vitamins. The severity you are describing about your skin does cause some worry, dehydration is not to be taken lightly because your electrolytes and minerals follow water out of your body, so if you don't have enough water, you are loosing you vitamins, minerals and electrolytes....and that isn't a good thing at all. I think its time you gave your doctor a call and let him know whats going on, this could be one thing or a combination of things, or nothing but regardless, you're better off safe than sorry. My advice, get checked out.
   — FlaMedic

January 13, 2005
I used to have a very hard time getting enough fluids in but after so many ER trips at $75 a pop just to get an IV Fluid Bag I had to do something. I discovered that I can drink more and faster if I drink a warm beverage. Now I don't mean gulping like I used to but I do really well with hot teas and coffees, of course all decaf. It's not that iced drinks hurt but for some reason I just can't drink them like I can the warm ones. I can barely tae baby sips of cold drinks. Give warm drinks a try and see if it helps you. Since I have been able to up my fluid intake my dry, flaky skin has gotten much better. Good luck to you! Tiff (lap RNY 2/17/04; 245lbs - 142lbs.)
   — Tiffany B.