WATER 101 --'Obsessively gung ho!', where are you???

[way]

WATER 101

When I first started TX I read this forum and it was (and is)my main source of information 24/7.

You ALL "drilled" into my head the IMPORTANCE and NECESSITY of water consumption during TX. Correct me if I'm wrong but the subject came up in every other thread, or maybe it just seemed like it...

This information has helped me more than any one thing and I believe it is responsible for my lack of sx.

It has been kinda hard for me to keep up(reading this forum entirely) with soooo many threads per day and so very long,(some of them). Its hard for me to be positive about this but I don't think the newbies are being told the importance of drinking LOTS of water. It hasn't been mentioned at all lately, Has it?? Some of the new tx'ers are really having a hard time of it from the very begining. (like Mishelli)I believe that water drinking was given as a remedy for sx.

I know some of you from from time to time post the meanings of the acronyms we use, for the newbies. I think we need to keep mentioning the importance of drinking lots of WATER--I mean let's get REALLY GUNG HO!!!!!!

[avidreader]

I am in the water camp big time. I am on week 50 of 52 and still sometimes forget to drink enough water and get terrible headaches. As soon as I up the water intake I feel better. I drink it room temperature and find that makes it easier to knock down. An added benefit for me was weight loss--by replacing all my juice, soda, red bull and iced tea drinking with plain old water I was able to lose 50 pounds on treatment (which I really needed) even though I never lost my appetite or had major issues with nasuea. Now I've just got my fingers crossed that I can keep it up once I go off the  "Pegasys Diet"!

[sfbaygirl]

I never liked water by itself before tx. When I began tx, I decided it would be the only thing I drank. That made it much easier to give up that coke and other things. Now I have become used to drinking water and that is basicly all I drink. I get tired of it sometimes and will drink chocolate milk or milk. But I usually just grab that cold water and it tastes great!

I have heard that lemons in the water makes it easier to drink.

[merlino]

Wow, that kind of scares me. I have had kidney stones twice. Just a week ago and then about 11 years ago. It seems I am missing something that breaks down calcium in the kidney. Nothing life threatening, my Dr. knows and never said anything but now I am worried will tx cause stones as I have read on many threads if you already have an existing problem tx will increase it. Other than the 2 stones I have never had any other kidney issues. My gastro is aware I had stones and never mentioned tx would cause my kidney any problems. Help Anybody!!!!

[slowsouthernstyle]

I have been coming to this forum for a few years not always post but read it whenever I can.It does get very long to read in here sometimes and not always about hepatitis c either sometimes it is stuff that can be said on a chat forum.It is very important to drink water when you are on interferon but some times it is said in here that you drink it too much.I treated 3 times and it helped me to drink water but my doctor advised me not to go overboard with it because it is hard on the kidneys.For new people coming to this forum please check with your doctor with everything you do even how much water you drink. Slow

[Drarig]

Prior to tx, I averaged drinking about 100 ozs per day (had to because I exercise alot).  Since starting tx 19 weeks ago, I now try to do about 130 ozs. a day & I have no sx...  I believe in lots of water...

[friole]

Water is good - it is almost all I drink anymore but sometimes it is hard to want to drink it.  I was really good at first - even filling a gallon jug on weekends and making sure I drank it all.  Now I am not so good, but I try never to have an empty glass.

How much is enough?  I think the standard is 1 ounce for every 2 # of body weight, but, you know, that is supposed to be normal water consumption.  I think we need more than that to stay hydrated on tx.

Tea?  Maybe use it as a treat, but not as the main source of fluids.  The thing about water is that it is an aquired taste (which is an unfortunate thing) but once acquired you will find it is the only real thirst quencher.  So try to have a glass of tea only after you have chugged a glass or water.

gonnabeat it -- good luck Friday.  I try to drink a glass of water before the shot (maybe with your tylenol) and a full glass later.  Otherwise, I will wake up in the night thirsty.