HOW MUCH WATER???

[Tania1470]

Hi everyone jus wondering how much water should I drink a day???

[dontworry_behappy1]

8 glasses of water (12 oz.)

[nzkiwilife]

Hi Tania
I am drinking at least 3 litres (1gallon) per day.
The first couple of weeks were hard so I  was sipping it hrough a straw. Now I can easily drink a litre in an hour.

[pooh55811]

My doctor told me to drink at least a gallon of water per day. I measured it so I would be sure to drink that much.

[can-do-man]

It used to be suggested one should drink at least half their body weight, my doctor just told me to keep well hydrated as it does help with the side effects. Keep in mind it doesn't have to be all plain water, I used to add some flavoring. Things like Gatorade is also good. Plus fresh melons, things like that all count towards intake....... I was told your body will tell you when you need to increase.

So as you can see different doctors different suggestions. But one thing is always the same, make sure you drink as it does help.......... Best to you.

[heart_in_the_keyes]

You'll get differing opinions here but drink as much water as you can.  You are flushing your system which is good. You don't want to drink gallon upon gallon but 1 - 2 liters is a good start.  My hepatologist recommends at least 3 liters a day. A gallon is 3.78 liters ...most liters sold are 1.05 so it takes 4 liters to make a gallon. I drink water from a bottle, it is just easier, I have a Brita and a Pur, make my own, fill up the bottles, use pint bottles...add a few squeezes of lemon juice and off I go. The colder the better.  The more I drink water the better I off I am.  Good luck getting use to it.  I am still struggling with giving up cokes.  You can drink tea or coffee too.

Also try to reduce your salt/sodium intake.  The recommended daily intake of 2,300 mg. (1 tsp.) per day.  People with health issue should reduce their salt/sodium intake to 1,150 mg a day (1/2 tsp.).  The average American consumes 6# pounds of salt a year.  Approximately 80% of daily sodium intake is in processed foods.  Start reading labels. You'll be surprised.

Reduce sugar intake.  Average American yearly intake is 70 - 80 pounds a year.  Again a lot of that sugar is in processed foods.  If it say no fat you can be sure it is carbohydrate loaded.  

Every one need a rounded balance of fruits, vegetables, fat, protein and dairy in their diets.  You can make alterations but you want to keep your body hydrated and your muscles functioning.

You're probably thinking what the h.... all I asked about was water.  But good hydration consists of water, acceptable liquids, elimination of high amounts of salt/sodium and sugar.  

[purplecat]

Take your weight, divide in half and that is how many ounces you should be drinking a day.  Example 150 pouunds /2 = 75, so minimum 75 ounces per day. I seemed to crave even more, and drank on average of 90OZ per day and weight is 140LBS. This is of course for interferon/Riba(SOC) or Triple therapy.  I found on the 7985 pill, I did not crave that much water. No dryness of eyes, mouth or skin.  

[1swimmer]

Hi there, I am relatively petite and I found I needed a minimum of 100 oz a day. If you drink coffee, which is good, more water may be needed. I got very weak when I was dehydrated so listen to your body.
Cheers,
C

[heart_in_the_keyes]

2 (8 oz) cups = 1 pint = (16 oz)
2 pints = 1 quart = (32 oz)
4 quarts = 1 gallon (8 pints) = (128 oz)

[pooh55811]

I agree with Can-do that it does not all have to be water. I should have made that more clear in my post above. When I was on treatment, I drank a liter of chicken broth a day and counted it towards my gallon of fluid. The chicken broth, in addition to counting towards my gallon of fluid a day, also helped settle my stomach.

I had 3 tall glasses. They each held 1/3 of a quart. I filled them up every morning when I got up and drank 3 of them in the morning, 3 in the afternoon, and 3 in the evening. Then I also drank more every time I got up at night to urinate (which was about every half hour). Plus I had my liter of broth every day. If I went anywhere (doctor office, mainly) I always carried a bottle of water with me. I drank coffee but I did not count my coffee towards the fluid total because it is a diuretic.

I actually drank more than a gallon of fluid a day because I was constantly parched. I would drink a bunch of water and head straight to bed and I was already parched by the time I got to bed.

[Tania1470]

Thank you :(  I NEVER DRANK THIS MUCH WATER NOT EVEN WHEN I WAS GOING TO THE GYM LOL  I GUESS DOING TO HAVE TO LEARN.

[asle]

My neighbour fills up 2litre bottles for me of filtered water. I drink at least 4 litres a day (about 8 pints). I don't know what your tap water is like, but ours is crappy. Still, it is better to drink filtered water if you can. Bottled water can be heavy with sodium, so watch that.
You learn to listen to your mouth and your body. I always have a jug of chilled water which I prefer to drink, and top it up during the day. I find it is more refreshing and easier to drink for some reason.

[LN55]

My doc and the specialty pharm. recommended 1 gallon a day. I think on many days I exceed that. Like others have said your body will let you know. If you are thirsty (which you will be) drink! I also mix it up with naturally flavored water and Gatorade "G2" (low cal.) when I get bored with the plain water routine. Good luck and drink up!

[medic54]

I drank 95 to 100 fl oz's/day (wt- 155 lbs) and it did help with the side effects... mostly in the AM and tapering during the day so I'd sleep better (not running to bathroom all night). As someone mentioned earlier, this is total fluid. Drinking so much water can deplete your electrolytes and minerals though (sodium and potassium in particular) so I would drink a couple of Gatorades and eat at least one large salad with all the colors and 2 bananas daily also. Good luck.

[heart_in_the_keyes]

Didn't I tell you your question was like opening a facuet.  A lot of opinions.  Medic is right about depleting electrolytes and minerals.  That's why a lost of runner get severe leg cramps because they have hydrated too much.

They have taken Gaterades and Vitamin/flavored waters out of our major university hospital.  Do not take mineral supplements unless okayed by your hepatologist.  Some minerals will build up in one's system causing more problems.  My doc has me on potassium, zinc and vit D.  However I am a juicer and work constantly at trying to get away from processed foods.,  I was in a rush today and at my mom's and had a can of tomato basil soup and used up half of my daily sodium intake. I usually make my own soups so I can control the sodium/salt.  I juice whole fruits and vegetables.  Eat a lot of salads with lemon juice or homemade dressing.  Have and am learning to about and to use other spices. In to cumin, ginger, cayenne.  And I am a watermelon freak so it's my time of year.

But it's time consuming and wearing for each individual to find the right balance for themselves.  All we can do is tell you what we do. For me it is drinking at least 3 liters of water, watching my/sodium/salt/sugar intake.  Eat whole, non-processed food, Eat fresh fruit and vegetables.

What you do has to be right for YOU.  Good Luck and let us know how you are doing with this.  

[ceanothus]

I just have to chime in with one more thing. If you don't drink enough water the side effects are going to get you worse. That in itself is a good reason to drink a LOT. I had water at my side every minute of the day, kept a small bottle in my purse and I even got a hip flask so I could carry it in my pocket when taking a walk without my purse.

[heart_in_the_keyes]

absolutely right...I don't go anywhere without water...and if I forget it I will stop and buy some.