Water retention - sure this isn't normal

[LonestarStateOfMind]

Hello, would really appreciate any advice, this is a rundown of today but is fairly typical . . .

6:50am wake up go to the toilet
7:00am cup of tea
During work drink two medium bottles of water and one cup of tea
6:00pm cup of tea
6:45pm glass of juice
7:50pm go to the toilet

If I'm not working I drink more but don't need to go anymore frequently/earlier?

Has anyone had similar problems and what did you do?
Thanks.

Sorry I should have written urine retention not water retention, although I have both, permanent swollen ankles.

You really need to see your GP IMO.
Do you ever suffer from breathlessness?
Have you gained weight?

Are you passing enormous amounts in your 2 visits to the toilet?
Is the urine concentrated?

Do you do a really big wee when you go in the evening?
One way to do a check is to get a plastic jug with measurements on the side. On a sheet of paper write down all the hours in the day down along the edge. Make 2 columns one called Intake and one called Output. Measure the amount in your usual cup of tea etc. For a couple of days record everything you drink under the heading Intake and then (sorry TMI) wee into the plastic jug, look at the measurement and record everything you wee out as Output. Then compare the Intake against the Output.
Could it be that your bladder is just not telling you that you need to go? Can happen if your bladder moved etc due to prolapsing or something.
Did you go more often previously?

Thank you for taking the time to comment.

Not gained weight and I can't say I'm breathless, I have asthma but it is well controlled. I would say in the morning and the first time I go after that in the eve are quite big and dark. After that I go regularly for the rest of the evening until bed, so every hour or two and it is shorter and a lighter in colour. No prolapse, I suppose I have always been slow to get going but I have got slower/longer gap during the day.

I was thinking of keeping a diary this week and make an appointment with gp, if others don't think it's a waste of drs time.

I think the intake and output chart is an excellent idea.
I do wonder about the permanently swollen ankles though - that is a bit worrying.
How old are you?
Are you standing for long periods of time at work?

I will do the chart, thank you for that suggestion.

I am 32. My job can be quite varied, some days standing for long periods and others sitting all day. My sister also has the swollen ankles, I think there is a name for it, quite a few of the women in our family seem to have this, so maybe not related.

So you drink all that during the day and don't even feel the need to pass water until you get home from work?

That doesn't sound right to me. I think you need to see your GP.

Dark urine suggests your not drinking enough and are dehydrated. Good idea to speak to your doctor and increase the amount you drink.

Another couple of really important question. What is your diet and exercise habits like on a normal day?
Your output will be more than your input because your food contains water as well. It's definitely not a waste of the doctors time.

I used to go that long before children and when I didn't drink much. It doesn't sound like enough fluid going in tbh.

And output probably won't be huge we also lose fluid through breathing and sweating as well as urine.

I don't think you are drinking nearly enough water.

This is my typical day: and I am not sure if I should be having more, I get a headache if I don't drink lots! I am always on the loo

7.30am:
cup of tea
pint of water

mid morning:
cup of tea
pint of water

lunch-time:
cup of decaff coffee

mid-afternoon
pint of water

6pm,
pint of water, sometimes another pint just before bed

bedtime
small cup of water

On the other hand Hyacinth I think you drink an awful lot of fluid through the day. I couldn't face drinking a pint of water unless I was very hot and very thirsty, which isn't going to happen in my air conditioned office at work.

Have you been tested for diabetes?

Your wee should be straw coloured, if it's darker you're not drinking enough. I work 12 hour shifts and on a busy shift I may wee when I get up at half 6 then not have the chance to drink much or go to the loo all day, then wee when I get in at about half 8. I then drink a days worth of liquid and have a days worth of wees in the next 4 hours!!

It sounds to me that you're not drinking enough at work. If you're active and/or working in a dry environment with air con/heating your body will be using a lot of fluid.