Importance of staying properly hydrated

A few days ago I posted a brief story about a medical emergency I experienced this past Monday. Hopefully my sharing this can prevent anyone else form going through what I have been experiencing these past few days. I think things actually started going wrong on Thursday after having lunch and experiencing a sever upset stomach followed by the usual biological event associated with digestive issues.  I didn't vomit but visited the bathroom several times.  Over the next couple of days I felt a little nauseous and didn't each much but continued to have the stomach issues.  Sunday night while preparing dinner, I felt faint and had to lay down.  I skipped dinner and went to bed.  When I woke up Monday morning I was unable to walk.  My balance was so bad that I couldn't take a single step without hanging on to someone or gripping a door frame.  I asked my wife to call my primary care doctor and get me in to see her as soon as possible.  Fortunately she is only about a half a mile from our home and was able to see me at 9:30 the same day.  My wife assisted me into her car and through the parking lot at the doctor's office and into the waiting room, where I took a seat.  Within about 5 minutes I was unable to sit and needed to lay down.  As I was being walked to a very near examining room, my doctor walked out and had a horrified look on her face and told the staff to call 911 and get paramedics and an ambulance to transport me to the ER at San Ramon Valley Medical Center, about 10 minutes away.  The Paramedics arrived in about 2 minutes and began monitoring my vitals and inserted an 18 gauge IV needle in my arm and started fluids. (that's a huge needle)  My heart rate was good but my blood pressure was pretty low and dropping.  My doctor later told me she feared I was in cardiac arrest and needed the care that could only be provided in the ER.  I was determined to be severely dehydrated and suffering from Vertigo as a result.  I was also really cold and couldn't stop shaking.  My teeth were chattering uncontrollably.  I had an EKG, a chest x-ray and a full blood panel and urinalysis.  All of the tests came back normal and by that time I had received 3 liters of IV fluids.  My blood pressure was getting back to normal but the Vertigo was still pretty extreme.  I spent about 5 hours in the ER and ended up getting 5 liters of fluid.  The doctor said he had never seen anyone need this much.  I was finally producing urine after the 5th liter.  Some of the coldness I was experiencing was from the refrigerated IV fluids being pumped into me.  I was released and have spent the last few days doing pretty much nothing but my strength is coming back and I have learned to love Gatoraid.

The moral of the story is:  Drinking water or other fluids (beer doesn't count) is absolutely essential to your health.  I didn't consciously stop fluid intake but apparently I did.  I always take water with me in the kayak but don't always drink it.  Don't learn the lesson the way I did.  I have never been severely ill or been to the ER in my life until this happened.  I was very lucky to have quality medical facilities and personnel nearby.  This could have been a real disaster in a remote location. WATER  WATER  WATER!

I'm almost back to normal after nearly a week of extreme rest and actually took a short walk with my dog this morning.  I'm on a very restricted diet called the BRAT diet for a few more days.  That's bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.  Not too appetizing or satisfying but it's supposed to allow the digestive tract to heal.
I had my annual physical just a week prior to this happening and everything was good.  It's amazing how fast you can go from feeling great to being very sick!

I am glad for your recovery and I will drink water and stay hydrated daily I pray........be well, sounded like a nightmare

Glad you're better! He's right have to drink water. I've been to the er for dehydration during a summer softball game here in the valley.  The ER is an expensive drink of water!

Martin,

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm glad your feeling better.

Get well soon my friend...

Al

As the saying goes "if your not pissing, your not drinking enough water"

Scary episode, Martin!  I'm so glad you're on the mend.  Thank you for sharing this.

Thanks for sharing Martin.
I have 3 cup holders in my truck. All 3 have water bottles in them.
Contrary to popular opinion, I am a big fan of drinking water. 
Glad you are on the road to feeling better.

Glad you got yourself checked out in time and that you are feeling better. Tight lines !!!! 

Alex

Thanks for sharing - I got very similar case few years ago, which started with a sleep for half-a-day and no discomfort, except mild fever, and ended up at ER with severe dehydration. I know better now.

damn! Glad to hear you're on the mend. Scary stuff.

Wow.  Very interesting and a a very important cautionary message.  Also, remember salt with your liquids, to metabolize.  I get headaches on the long range trips and on long yak fishing days even though I'm passing water through (lots of pee stops) the hydration is not occuring.  Fritos are my friend. 

Once on the Islander, I had  the worst headache.  I had been drinking and peeing all day. Polepole informed me "You need salt."  I went to the galley and shook a half teaspoon or so of salt into my palm, and took it all at once.  The headache was gone by the time I got back to the rear deck.  That quickly.

The vertigo aspect really captures my attention as I have suffered mightily from vertigo on a few occasions.  doc thinks it is reduced blood flow to my inner ear, but now I think it could very well be dehydration.  I also ALWAYS bring water, and often do not drink it till after I've landed.....

Thanks for sharing this is good info for all of us.

Bushy

Thanks for posting, and glad to hear that you're doing better.

When kayaking, I always carry a 3 liter camelbak inside the hull, with the tube hanging off the back of my seat---plenty of water and so convenient. And I always bring some salty snacks too.

Wow.  Very interesting and a a very important cautionary message.  Also, remember salt with your liquids, to metabolize.  I get headaches on the long range trips and on long yak fishing days even though I'm passing water through (lots of pee stops) the hydration is not occuring.  Fritos are my friend. 

Once on the Islander, I had  the worst headache.  I had been drinking and peeing all day. Polepole informed me "You need salt."  I went to the galley and shook a half teaspoon or so of salt into my palm, and took it all at once.  The headache was gone by the time I got back to the rear deck.  That quickly.

The vertigo aspect really captures my attention as I have suffered mightily from vertigo on a few occasions.  doc thinks it is reduced blood flow to my inner ear, but now I think it could very well be dehydration.  I also ALWAYS bring water, and often do not drink it till after I've landed.....

Thanks for sharing this is good info for all of us.

Bushy

Great lesson and now I understand why I crave the saltiest snacks that I bring, jerky, nuts, chips..........kinda ironic being in salt water......

Yeah, in my job I often drink two gallons of water and don't piss for 12 hours. I learned the importance of water that way. Gatorade helps too. I usually will drink 3 liters of water and 1 bottle of gatorade alternately on days where I'm working my ass off. The rest of the time I just make sure to drink at least 1.5 liters, aiming for 3.

Damn Martin, that's crazy. Im glad you are okay.
I have had some problems with kidney pain due to dehydration. A guy from work turned me on to this product. I have been using this stuff in my water bottles that I take to work with me.  It is an electrolyte liquid supplement. Basically making a gatorade like drink, only cheaper. I add lemon or lime juice as well, because it tastes like salty piss water (especially if it's warm).
I think it works.

Bushy, I remember you taking salt shots on the islander trip we were on.You said it was because water was going straight through you. That has stuck with me ever since. When I fish, I have to piss every 15 minutes out on the water. I don't know why, but it makes me feel like shit at the end of the day. Hopefully this product will help with that for me also.
Dehydration is no joke.

This is what I've been using.
https://www.amazon.com/Trace-Minerals-000-Volts-8-Ounce/dp/B000Z98KF8/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1477278861&sr=8-1&keywords=trace%2Bmineral%2Belectrolytes&th=1