Fluid limits on HD

[deniferfer]

Hey guys i need your help!! I'm new HD right now and having a very hard time with the fluid restrictions. My doctor told me I'm allow to have 6 cups a day and that's it! I have tried to be good and stick to it but i am having a REALLY hard time. I think that I'm being good and following the rules only to go in to D and be so sick from fluid over load. But i can't figure out what i am doing wrong!!I feel like this 

So my questions are one what help you not be as thirsty during the day? I tried hard candy and that just didn't work with me. What hidden things may have fluid that I'm not catching? And finally and and all tips are welcome!! I just want to figure this out... 

[M3Riddler]

Hey guys i need your help!! I'm new HD right now and having a very hard time with the fluid restrictions. My doctor told me I'm allow to have 6 cups a day and that's it! I have tried to be good and stick to it but i am having a REALLY hard time. I think that I'm being good and following the rules only to go in to D and be so sick from fluid over load. But i can't figure out what i am doing wrong!!I feel like this 

So my questions are one what help you not be as thirsty during the day? I tried hard candy and that just didn't work with me. What hidden things may have fluid that I'm not catching? And finally and and all tips are welcome!! I just want to figure this out...

Has your doc ever brought up the option of home dialysis ?  Normally, no fluid or little diet restritions.        Here is a good short mini video for you to watch about fluid control.     http://lifeoptions.org/letstalk/mov3eng/index.html

Hope this helps..

[Rerun]

Salt makes you thirsty.  Look at how much salt are in things.  I allow 1000mg a day.  Well, one cup of soup can be 960mg.  You need to try Mrs. Dash instead of salt.  Don't get salt substitutes as they have potassium in them and you don't want that.

Breakfast:  Eggs sprinkled with Mrs Dash and toast with butter.  Some juice or Rice Milk (Original Classic NOT the Enriched)
or you could have Corn Flakes with Rice Milk

Lunch:  Tuna Sandwich with Wheat Thins (hint of salt kind)
or go out for a hamburger and ask for NO seasoning.

Dinner:  Baked chicken breast squeezed lemon on top and a salad.

Blond Oreo Cookies for dessert.

I'm no dietitian but salt makes you thirsty bottom line.

[jbeany]

Rerun is right on the salt.  If you can't cook, it's time to learn how, because ready-made food is always high in salt.

Pour water equal to your daily limit into a separate container and keep it in the fridge.  If you want to drink water, only drink from that container.  If you have coffee or pop, pour an equal amount of water out of the container.  It's a visual reminder of how much you have had, and how much you have left for the day.  Keep track of every mouthful for a while, until it becomes more automatic.

Buy smaller glasses - it's easier to remember to sip slowly if there isn't a large amount in front of you.

Don't automatically pour yourself something to drink with a meal.  Fix the food and sit down and start eating it without a glass in front of you.  If you really need a sip of something to clear your throat, you can stand up and get it, but don't drink it with the meal out of habit.

Remember that fruit, soup, and many other foods have high water content.  These count as well.

Don't forget to count the water you ingest while taking pills or rinsing down toothpaste - those little sips add up in a hurry.

Ice chips are better than water for stopping thirst, but they add up in a hurry.  Frozen grapes or other fruit can be good too, but don't forget they have water as well.

Try gum instead of the hard candy.  I used to keep spoons in the freezer.  Sucking on the cold metal can help kill thirst, too.  (I did 4 months of IV nutrition and wasn't allowed food or water.  The spoons were a desperation measure, but I was willing to try anything at that point.)

[Cowdog]

Too much Salt is the key to my feeling bad and cramping after treatment. Salt will increase your thirst but for me salt makes my body not want to give up the fluid. If I've stayed away from the salt but just drank to much I can pull 4.4 - 4.8 without issue but if I've had too much salt I'm in trouble in the 3.5 range.

[Carlyon]

The 4 oz kid's sippy cups work wonders. If you're only allowed six cups of liquid a day (48oz)  you can have 12 sippy cups.  It fools your mind into thinking you have more than you do.  However I suggest only 9 sippy cups then you have a little leeway.

Around here, I found out that it wasn't an actual thirst but my husband's mind resisting the fact that he can't have it. It's almost like the more you tell yourself you can't have it, the thirstier you become.

I don't know if that's your situation but sippy cups, juice boxes and other kids sized products have become staples around here.  It takes away the guess work. 

[Ang]

down here in australia, as mentioned above,salt is a no no, scientific fact - thirst will follow , as night follows day
the rule is 600 ml + peeing.
i pretty much lived on ice blocks for 5 years
try frozen stuff that will melt in your mouth

[Riverwhispering]

I'm only on my forth month on HD and I'm only allowed 4 cups per day.  I was freaking out because of this awful thirst too.  A nurse told me what to do and BAM it worked great.   It's called swish and spit!  You get a glass of cold water and take a big sip but don't swallow it.  spit it out and do that over till the glass is empty.  I don't do that in front of anyone but it works wonderfully.  I even keep a little plastic glass in my purse to use in a bathroom while I'm out and about if I need it.  I swear on my life this is the only thing that works for me. 

[CebuShan]

Definitely do your own cooking from scratch! Salt will get you every time!  Don't look for "Low Sodium" or "No Sodium" then they up the fats and potassium to make up for the taste.
I grow my own herbs and dry them. Experiment with different blends you can make yourself. I use a lot of pepper and garlic! My favs!
When you eat out, really pay attention to the menu descriptions. If it says "Our own seasoning blend", it's probably seasoned salt that they are using. (I used to work in a restaurant).
Mrs. Dash is a great way to get started. I still use it sometimes but mostly I make my own. That way I know what goes i it.
I feel fortunate in one way that I live in a small town. There are few restaurants. The 1 little cafe that we go into, we know the owner and she always will fix my food with no salt added and puts any sauce on the side so I can control how much I use! She's a jewel!
Look into home hemo. I've been doing it and there is certainly more freedom as far as fluids.
Good luck!

[lmunchkin]

John has very little salt.  I got him a Brita water glass with filter in it.  He has to work harder to get water through filter, thus a sip instead of a guzzle.  He really doesnt take in as much as he use to, and that really pays off when he goes on the machine.  You don't have to drastically cut back, but gradually.  Over time, you will get to where you want to be Denifer.  It will become a habit.  And that would be a Good habit for you!
I know John has lost alot of weight, and is looking mighty good to me!!!!!!!!!  lol  Im falling in love with him all over again.    

God Bless,
lmunchkin

[deniferfer]

Thank you everyone for all your advice and tips. This "weekend" I have been taking them all to heart and been trying them out and seeing what works for me. I have really watched my salt in take and i will say there is a big difference in how thirsty I have been!!

This is all should be temporary, Due to having to go in for some abdominal surgery that have had to place me on HD. I have done PD for almost 15 years and this is a BIG change up. I'm trying to look at it as a journey and in a way getting to walk a mile in someone elses shoes.  I am constantly surprised how little I had to worry about on PD. In fact my BP was normally low and my nurses would always tel me to drink some broth and get something salty. lol To now leave it all alone... 

Again thank you and i realy hope tomorrow morning that I will have a easier time on D and not be so over loaded on fluid.

@Imunchkin, I got to say that is so cute and sweet!!

[Riki]

I don't know if that's your situation but sippy cups, juice boxes and other kids sized products have become staples around here.  It takes away the guess work.

That is a neat idea.. something I never thought of..  What I do, is use a lot of frozen things, like popsicles or frozen grapes instead of drinking.  There's less fluid in them, and you feel the same.  A regular popsicle is 60mls, and you feel the same after having it as if you'd drank a 200ml glass of water