Published on 12, July, 2020
Seriously, how?
Dehydration is something I've struggled with my entire life. As a child I was always dehydrated, I never remembered to drink, I didn't feel thirsty. I'm pretty sure when I die one day the cause of death will be dehydration, or kidney failure from too much dehydration. I was in hospital 2 weeks ago with dehydration and the nurses and doctors told me then that each time it will be damaging my kidneys. For me I'm thinking it's like my switch that tells me I'm thirsty and when I need to drink isn't switched on - because I never feel thirsty. Even when I'm in the deep end of dehydration I still don't think of having a drink. I've used app reminders but I don't feel thirsty so don't drink, I literally gag and nearly choke if I try to force myself to drink something.
At my last hospital visit a doctor, think it was a psych doctor was quizzing me on why this happens so frequently to me. I think what she was getting at was am I a psychotic trying to dehydrate myself repeatedly. I was asked if voices were telling me not to drink? I said no, it's just autism. They seriously try and drag mental health in to everything now. It's frustrating! A lot less mental health and more autism support would go a long way.
I fill a bottle up at the same times of day every day so I know I'm drinking enough. If my bottle's not close to empty, I make an effort to drink more the next few times.
Do you have the same gagging/choking issue even if you're just taking a small sip? How about if you're drinking from a different kind of opening (like a straw or the kind you bite)?
Yes unfortunately the gagging choking is a common occurrence for me. I think it's where I have an over sensitive gag reflex, so just anything triggers it, quite unpleasant. A straw is a good idea - it could help, I will certainly give it a try.
Something you might like is a water bottle with times on the side of it, showing how much you should have drank by certain times. I have one and so did my little sister, she originally suggested I get one too.