Prednisone and Water

[NikkiNicole]

Currently, as my doctor doesn't listen to me, I am only on 20mg of Prednisone a day. My concern is ... prednisone is known for it's super powers of fluid retention. I drink a gallon of water a day.
Seriously, that is no exaggeration. This is a habit I kept from when I was working out 5x a week. I stayed very hydrated and for that reason, my urine is always so sparkly and pretty.
Should I cut back on my water intake? I like the gallon because it keeps me from reaching for the soda! I'm just afraid I'll end up being a walking water balloon.

p.s. I also emailed the Rheumatologist demanding the Cytoxan. Today is worse than ever, I can hardly function here at work, I can't see, it hurts to open my eyes, I have a headache, my joints hurt, I can't deal.
I also spoke w/ UCSF and they won't see me without a referral. Of course, I doubt Kaiser will refer out of Kaiser. So, my stepmom suggested maybe going to see a Rheumy at Kaiser San Francisco.
Anyone see anyone at Kaiser San Francisco?

[HopeinTN]

I'm not sure about the water intake, but that is a lot of water. And too much water can cause a list of issues to yoru body. I drink a lot of water due to the CTX and harm it can cause to the bladder. I don't think it made me any more bloated than before. I will say you should stay away from the sodium as that will be your worst enemy.

I can't comment on the docs out West but I'm sure someone on here will be able to give good advice on that.

[annekat]

If your only option is to see another rheumatologist in the Kaiser network, I would do it! The guy you are dealing with seems out of the dark ages, and mean, to boot. Just a different doctor could be a 180 degree turnaround! And the new person might figure out a way to give you a referral to UCSF or agree to consult with the specialist there. I hope someone here can give you a recommendation. Good luck!

[Debbie C]

Nikki..I drink ALOT of water too,I have a bottle in my hand constantly,But I had gotten such a pot belly that I backed off alot and have been walking a least 2 miles a day.It's helped.I like Life Water but Sangye calls it "death water " It's got alot of vitamins in it.
Why do u just have to see a reumy from Kaiser...is there not another reumy or can't your pcp refer you to someone.If it gets really bad,go to the e.r. and tell them you want a consult with another dr. Good luck..I hope you start to feel better soon:smile1:

[RudiK]

My docs instructed me to drink a gallon of water while I was on CTX, but reduced it to normal take in after they changed my med from CTX to Immuran.

[annekat]

Nikki..I drink ALOT of water too,I have a bottle in my hand constantly,But I had gotten such a pot belly that I backed off alot and have been walking a least 2 miles a day.It's helped.I like Life Water but Sangye calls it "death water " It's got alot of vitamins in it.
Why do u just have to see a reumy from Kaiser...is there not another reumy or can't your pcp refer you to someone.If it gets really bad,go to the e.r. and tell them you want a consult with another dr. Good luck..I hope you start to feel better soon:smile1: I agree with Debra that your PCP could be very helpful to you. You can tell him or her about the problems you are having with this rheumy, and that you KNOW for a fact that he is not prescribing you the drugs you need. Heck, your PCP could even prescribe the drugs for you! And he or she should know the ins and outs of Kaiser enough to know what the possibilities are for a referral to a specialist, or could recommend another rheumy. If the PCP can't help you, you can find a new one, change insurance plans, whatever you have to do! And yes, going tp the ER is a definite option! In the hospital was where I got an overseeing doc who was smart enough to guess that I had WG, when no one else thought of it.

Another thing..... the rheumatology dept. at UCSF should know, and be able to tell you, whether they ever get patients referred to them by Kaiser. I'll bet they do. Kaiser cannot be that backward that it would deny a referral to someone they seem to lack the expertise to treat. At least, I should hope not.

[pberggren1]

A gallon is a lot of water. I drink maybe half a gallon at most.

[annekat]

A gallon is a lot of water. I drink maybe half a gallon at most. They say to drink lots of water! I've never been that good at it, except in the summer, when I get thirsty on warm days. And when I was taking CTX, since that is a necessity. I haven't heard of drinking too much water, but that doesn't mean you can't.

[Dirty Don]

[QUOTE=annekat;69670]They say to drink lots of water! I've never been that good at it, except in the summer, when I get thirsty on warm days. And when I was taking CTX, since that is a necessity. I haven't heard of drinking too much water, but that doesn't mean you can't.[QUOTE=annekat;69670] - drinking too much water can kill one...anyone remember the radio stunt where a woman consumed as much water as she could in just a short while? She was dead in a short while. Messes with the brain somehow...among other things I suppose.

[pberggren1]

You are correct Don. half a gallon is good for most people, even ones on ctx.

[annekat]

You are correct Don. half a gallon is good for most people, even ones on ctx. Of course, they say coffee doesn't count.....

[Dirty Don]

Of course, they say coffee doesn't count.....

WHAT! Of course coffee counts...somewhere...

[annekat]

WHAT! Of course coffee counts...somewhere... OK, Don....

[me2]

I was told coffee counts- if you also use coffee to wash your clothes .

[annekat]

T
I was told coffee counts- if you also use coffee to wash your clothes . That would be a form of natural dyeing.... not a bad color, really!

I've been drinking less coffee since starting to use an herbal preparation called Adrenal Support, which I got at the Olympia Farmers Market. It's just a mixture of dried herbs that I make a tea out of. I think it is actually helpful and seems to reduce my desire for coffee. But I'm not suggesting anyone should stop drinking coffee, or cut back, if they don't want to, Don!

I will post about this tea in another thread and list the herbs in it.... maybe after a few more days of using it.