LymeNet Flash: Excessive Thirst & Dehydration?

This is topic Excessive Thirst & Dehydration? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/30272

Posted by Lymelighter (Member # 5310) on :

Are these symptoms of Lyme or a coinfection? My PCP is stumped as my labs are normal. My. LLMD is also perplexed. Anyone have these symptoms? Mine are unrelieved by increasing H20 intake or sports drinks. It seems to be systemic as my eyes are also dry.

It's worse in the am and I need to keep a large bottle of h20 bedside as I wake up very parched.

I thought it might be related to Hypothyroid or a hormone issue, but my endocrinologist thinks otherwise.

Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :

I used to sweat like crazy it finalley backed off. Iam am also not on abx's any longer. It may be lyme or secondary infections?Or clinical name is polydipsia
Check this link out http://www.northmemorial.com/HealthEncyclopedia/content/3240.asp
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/thirst.htm#list
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Possible causes of symptom: Thirst: The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Thirst as a symptom. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

Some common causes of short-term thirst include:
Salty foods
Sugary foods or drinks
Spicy foods
Dry mouth (type of Dental conditions)
Some other causes where it is not really true thirst include:
Comfort drinking (sweet drinks)
Infant bottle association - is an infant thirsty or does it need the bottle for nipple-association and comfort.
Dehydration - see also causes of dehydration such as:
Fluid loss
Sweating
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Fever
Hot flashes
Sunburn
Excessive dieting
Anorexia nervosa
Blood loss
Internal bleeding (see Bleeding symptoms)
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Diabetes - excessive thirst is a hallmark of various types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Diabetic ketoacidosis
HHNS
Poorly controlled diabetes
Ecstasy - this illicit drug causes thirst.
Physical diseases with increased thirst include:
Diabetes insipidus
Hyperparathyroidism
Certain kidney disorders
Chronic kidney failure
Potassium deficiency (type of Mineral deficiency) - such as due to diuretics
Psychological disorders with increased thirst include:
Psychogenic thirst
Compulsive thirst
Brain disorder
Stroke
Brain tumor
Certain medications
See also causes of dehydration and causes of dry mouth

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medications or substances causing Thirst: The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Thirst as a symptom. This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

Diuretics
Diuretic overdose
Steroids
Ecstasy
See also drugs causing dehydration

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conditions listing symptoms: Thirst: The following list of conditions have 'Thirst' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
A
Anorexia Nervosa ... excessive thirst
C
Cholera ... thirst
Cyclic vomiting syndrome ... excessive thirst
D
Dehydration ... Thirst
Diabetes ... excessive thirst
Diabetes Insipidus ... excessive fluid intake, excessive thirst
Diarrhea ... Thirst
G
Gastrointestinal bleeding ... thirst
H
Hangover ... thirst
Hypercalcemia ... thirst
Hyperemesis Gravidarum ... thirst
Hyperglycemia ... excessive thirst
Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome ... thirst, excessive thirst
Hyperparathyroidism ... excessive thirst
M
Marijuana ... thirst
Multiple Myeloma ... thirst
P
Premenstrual syndrome ... thirst
T
Toxic Shock Syndrome ... thirst
Trichinosis ... thirst
Type 1 diabetes ... excessive thirst
Type 2 diabetes ... excessive thirst
Typhoid fever ... thirst

Posted by Camelot (Member # 6407) on :

Could be that you have symptoms of Sjogren's
if you have dry mouth, eyes. There are blood
tests to rule that out.

Posted by zipzip (Member # 6226) on :

it could be an electrolyte imbalance, especially if you have been processing a lot of drugs. i'm suprised your endocrinologist didn't bring that up.

you can have an electrolyte panel for that and take some IV fluids at the dr's office or hospital.

it could also be a respiratory infection, like the sinuses for example. that can be checked through mri or cat scan of sinuses.

lastly it could also be a side effect of medications. are you taking any antifungals, for instance?

i doubt sjorgen's syndrome as i hope your dr has been smart enough to run an ANA and RF to rule out autoimmune disease before even treating you for lyme.

if not it's worth running those tests to be sure.

Posted by GiGi (Member # 259) on :

You are probably lacking electrolites and your minerals are out of sync. If you take sports drinks, I am not surprised. Read the labels and see what you are really getting. My doctor refuses to treat anyone if they walk in with that kind of a drink or any pops, etc. He feels he is wasting precious
time he could spend on a sick child.

Has your doctor ruled out a diabetic condition? Lyme often affects the pancreas.

Take care.

Posted by RECIPEGIRL (Member # 5884) on :

GiGi----

Wow - your doctor truly cares about his patients.

Great information. I will pass this on to my husband who's always thirsty. His mom is diabetic-----so we have to be on the look out.

Thanks. I love reading your posts.

Best Wishes,
Jan

Posted by ConnieMc (Member # 191) on :

How are your sodium and chloride levels? I have these symptoms too, and found they were due to electrolite imbalances. Also discovered that my sodium levels were consistently low, which can cause lots of problems. Including the excessive thirst thing. Yet I was never told this was a prob by my main Lyme doc. A alternative medicine specialist I am working with is addressing it.

I have added more salt to my diet, and also drink 1 to 2 packets of EmergenC a day. Even add sea salt to this mix at times when I am flaring up with these symptoms. And it helps right away.

Posted by Lymelighter (Member # 5310) on :

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. Tree, thanks for all the valuable tid bits.

It's puzzling: My ANA & RF were normal, my diabetes blood & urine tests were -, my cortisol was normal, and my electrolyte panel was also normal.

While I have Hyperthyroid, 2.5 months of Levoxyl haven't really made a difference.

The mystery thickens...