Drinking too much water?

[reastie]

I drink I'd say at least 5 litres of water a day, possibly more (up to 7 possibly occasionally more I estimate sometimes) . I've been thinking for a while I wonder if I'm 'normal' or if there are any bad effects from drinking lots of water. I've just googled and scared myself with talks of head swelling, kidney problems and even death .

I've tried drinking less but I get dehydration headaches and feel very thirsty (and get those white bits around my mouth when you don't drink enough).

I drink 6 big glasses of water before work, say around 2 - 4 big glasses during the day and 6 big glasses again in the evening yes I do need to get up for the loo at night! . It used to be 4 glasses in morning and evening but with bfing I found I was more thirsty and now it's stuck.

I bf one feed a day still and do tend to be a bit of a sweaty person in general (not problematically so though) and try to get to the gym a few times a week where I do sweat a fair bit.

I don't know why I need to drink so much but it's been gradually increasing over a number of years - I think as I drink more I need more. I certainly never used to drink this much.

I'm worried now I'm doing something bad to my body (I don't force myself to drink this much - I do actually feel and have thirst). Is this really unusual to drink this much or do many people drink this much? Does this seem normal? [hopeful]

I think you're probably so accustomed to drinking so much water (and it really is a massive, abnormal amount!) that it didn't occur to you it was indicative of a problem. Have you made a GP appointment yet?

No - I have to get someone to mind DD whilst I go so only managed to ask DM when she was free today - have got it on my list for tomorrow but in the mean time have been trying to cut down and have 4/5 big glasses a morning and not 6 . I must admit I did always feel a bit ill forcing 6 glasses down first thing (2.4 litres!!!!) but I did it as I always felt so thirsty until I did and it caught up with me when I didn't and if I work I need to have drunk it by a certain time or else I'm desperate for the loo at work (I teach and can't duck out of lessons for a wee).

Reastie, have you seen the doctor yet?

Have been trying to ring today but no one will answer the blinking phone!

Just to give an update for anyone interested - went to the Doctor today and having various blood tests for thyroid and different diabetes

Thanks, I'm getting the test done in a couple of weeks (have to plan when someone can look after DD to get there first thing) and then have to wait a week for results.

I try to drink about 2 ltrs a day. Coconut is good for you. I drink Tiana coconut water as it is 100% organic and pure and has nothing added it it. Yes it is an isotonic. Having all those essential minerals and vitamin and the electrolytes as spoken about above. these include magnesium, phosphorous, calcium, potassium and sodium! So good for you, so good for re-hydration