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 don't always feel thirsty but I also find it daunting drinking from a great big cup, instead I drink from a Frozen Elsa bottle. It has a fold in straw and holds a good amount of fluid, just enough for me, not too much or too little.
I expect a few people laugh at me for drinking from it as I'm an adult now, 21, but it works for me. I have a sensitive gag reflex and that's why I like drinking from this bottle, it's gentle and rarely upsets me and makes drinking much easier.