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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this too much water?

35 replies

Waterywater · 18/07/2023 01:35

I absolutely love water but I’m wondering if I drink too much.

I’m not diabetic (I’ve been tested several times) nor do I have anything wrong with my b12, iron, folate or any vitamins that makes me want to drink water. I just drink it because I love it. I don’t get an extreme extreme craving for it like people apparently do when they have diabetes or are unwell, I just love drinking it. I’m Scottish and our tap water just tastes so lush. And I love how cold and refreshed I feel when I drink water. I’m always thirsty but in a good way and I just feel so much better and less parched after drinking water. On an average day I drink around 4-6 litres and on a day where I’m busier eg go to the gym, or am busy at work I drink more than 6.

but I recently read something in a magazine that said that it’s unhealthy to drink too much water and I’m slightly worried now and wondering if I should reduce how much I drink? But I feel like I’d be so thirsty if I did that, ahh, I’m healthy although my last blood test something was a bit low but I just had to drink some sando k (I think that’s what it was called, it was absolutely disgusting and I’ll shamelessly admit I didn’t finish the prescription as it was too vile even mixed with juice) but other than that everything was healthy, so is it really too bad to drink extra water? TY in advance 🙂

OP posts:
namechangee101 · 18/07/2023 01:37

Well Waterywater I don’t know what to tell you…..

YerAWizardHarry · 18/07/2023 01:38

6 litres is an insane amount of water! When do you find the time to do much else? Do you still manage to have an appetite? Are your bowel movements solid enough?

Original poster
Waterywater · 18/07/2023 01:41

namechangee101 · 18/07/2023 01:37

Well Waterywater I don’t know what to tell you…..

I was trying to think of a decent NC username, unfortunately it’s nearly 2am and I had no other ideas haha

also i should have clarified I am NOT the infamous water troll, I’m a regular poster who has been here for years but I’ve just NC (Mumsnet HQ will verify)

OP posts:
Original poster
Waterywater · 18/07/2023 01:46

YerAWizardHarry · 18/07/2023 01:38

6 litres is an insane amount of water! When do you find the time to do much else? Do you still manage to have an appetite? Are your bowel movements solid enough?

Honestly I know it probably sounds a lot written down but I think I’ve just done this for a while it’s sort of become normal now for me and I’ve lost perspective a bit🥴 I just always have my water bottle on me and I drink before going to work, on the way to work, at work, after work etc and I just fill it up all the time. I always carry my water bottle anywhere I go, even to walk the dog. I don’t drink tea and coffee and rarely drink juice in fairness so the water is the only liquid I drink.

Yeah, bowel movements are absolutely fine and I’m rarely unwell, I felt a bit unwell when it turned out I had to take the sando k but I was fine after a week or so and I think I was run down with work more than anything tbh.

OP posts:
ClaraBourne · 18/07/2023 01:50

I'd be on the loo half the day with all that water inside me!

GarlicGrace · 18/07/2023 01:53

Sando K is a treatment for low potassium. This can be a symptom of serious disease, but it can be caused by excessive fluid intake.
And two of the symptoms are ...

  • Excessive urination (polyuria).
  • Excessive thirst (polydipsia).

So, yeah, it is too much water for you. And it's making you want even more water!

Low Potassium Level Causes (Hypokalemia)

Hypokalemia is when the amount of potassium in your blood is too low.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17740-low-potassium-levels-in-your-blood-hypokalemia#symptoms-and-causes

theGooHasGone · 18/07/2023 01:56

2.7 litres a day is the recommendation for women, 3.7 litres for men. 4-6 is definitely too much.

HelpMeGetThrough · 18/07/2023 06:37

4-6 litres? You must be peeing like a racehorse every day, or have the bladder of a camel!!

DimeStoreHooker · 18/07/2023 06:45

I have never heard of there being a water troll 😆

It does sound like a lot of intake, however I admire your enthusiasm for Scottish tap water. It's unhealthy to drink too much within a short time space as it can lead to brain swelling. So if you're spacing it out and could perhaps cut back on a litre or 2 you should be fine.

Dying to ask: is your skin amazing??

xigris · 18/07/2023 06:48

This is far too much water and you could do yourself a lot of harm. You do need to see your doctor about this. There are a lot of very serious consequences from drinking huge amounts of water - low sodium and / or potassium levels being two of them.

Toothiepegg · 18/07/2023 07:01

ClaraBourne · 18/07/2023 01:50

I'd be on the loo half the day with all that water inside me!

Plus all night.

Cheesusisgrate · 18/07/2023 07:09

I drink about 3.5l.

6 is too much. I actually did get to it once over summer not in uk. It was then habit an I had to consciously bring it down. I am assuming it's the same for you. A habit since you have no health issues leading to it.

Hugasauras · 18/07/2023 07:13

GarlicGrace · 18/07/2023 01:53

Sando K is a treatment for low potassium. This can be a symptom of serious disease, but it can be caused by excessive fluid intake.
And two of the symptoms are ...

  • Excessive urination (polyuria).
  • Excessive thirst (polydipsia).

So, yeah, it is too much water for you. And it's making you want even more water!

Eek! Does your doctor know you drink this much, OP?

Ponoka7 · 18/07/2023 07:14

The low potassium will be because of the water. Make sure that you eat bananas and if you can drink an ice cube, of any type daily. You need to bring your consumption down to 3-4 litres.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 18/07/2023 07:17

If you've been treated for low potassium then you're definitely drinking too much water.

Does your doctor know how much you're drinking?

Saverage · 18/07/2023 07:31

It's too much. I drank about 9 litres once in an effort to clear cystitis. I ended up in hospital for 3 days as I had flushed all my electrolytes out. It was one of the scariest experiences I have ever had.

SpringIntoChaos · 18/07/2023 07:37

You know it's too much...any google search will tell you it's too much.

ChipsAreLife · 18/07/2023 07:41

I'm the same OP. I drink loads of water. Always have done. Been to doctors a few times and they've never been concerned as diabetes test etc comes back clear. I think it's more concerning if it's a new thing as opposed to something you've always done.

I do wee a lot (everyone tells me I should do book reviewing all the toilets I've been to) but I have good skin. I try add salt to my dinner as my doctor told me I need extra for all the water.

FFSwhatisthis · 18/07/2023 07:49

Ponoka7 · 18/07/2023 07:14

The low potassium will be because of the water. Make sure that you eat bananas and if you can drink an ice cube, of any type daily. You need to bring your consumption down to 3-4 litres.

@Ponoka7

well, you can't 'drink an ice cube'???

what do you think a melted ice cube is going to do?

FFSwhatisthis · 18/07/2023 08:04

@Waterywater there are plenty of charts online to see how much after is ideal for your weight.

justaweenamechange · 18/07/2023 08:10

Add electrolytes and see if it reduces your thirst over a few weeks.

Elete liquid drops last ages and have a good balance of minerals.

Had a look at sjogrens syndrome?

Beneficialchampion2 · 18/07/2023 08:21

Again Mumsnet has a post filled with inaccurate and shit advice.

It completely depends on your physical activity levels, diet and tendancy to perspire.

I drink around 5-6l of fluid a day, I exercise in the gym ar a high intensity for 30-45mins, I sweat more than the average person though it is not severe enough to be considered hyperhydrosis.

4-6l is really not enough to cause you any serious long term harm via dilution of electrolytes though as has been mentioned previously it COULD but isn't guaranteed that you may be lacking potassium in your diet.

GarlicGrace · 18/07/2023 12:37

@Beneficialchampion2, OP's first post says: my last blood test something was a bit low but I just had to drink some sando k (I think that’s what it was called, it was absolutely disgusting and I’ll shamelessly admit I didn’t finish the prescription

She is potassium deficient.

blobby10 · 18/07/2023 13:02

@Waterywater you aren't alone! I drink similar amounts and people are always saying similar to me as other posters have to you. I've never had anything abnormal picked up! If its normal for you then don't stress too much but if your potassium levels weren't Ok then maybe cut back a glass or two? I only started drinking more water in a vain attempt to reduce food intake but it never worked