Constant thirst

[SchrodingersMeerkat]

Ever since I can remember, and especially as a young child, I could never feel "un-thirsty". It was like I had Prader Willi Syndrome, but instead of constant, insatiable hunger, I felt constant, insatiable thirst. I couldn't concentrate at school because I was so thirsty and on the rare occasions I was allowed to have a water bottle with me, I would drink it until it was empty and wasn't allowed to refill it. My second grade classroom had a drinking fountain in it, but the witch of a teacher would refuse to let anyone drink out of it. I was so desperate I would get up anyway and she would try and guilt trip me about how my classmates couldn't do that. Uhh? What? They were not tied down lady. They could get up and get a drink any time they wanted. I guess I just didn't have a psychological tether like they did.

But what goes in but come out. I never was allowed to use the restroom when I needed too because I "had already gone" and had lots of accidents and no matter what class I was in, I was the "pants wetter". I wet my pants in kindergarten, but the other kids remembered and loved to remind me as late as 4th grade. I was homeschooled since 5th grade but had I stayed in the public school system, they probably would have teased me until high school.

Once I was homeschooled, I was allowed to drink and use the restroom as often as I needed too and did not even have to ask. But as a result of what happened in the public school, I need to have water with me or else I panic.

My mother was always having me tested for diabetes, but it always came back negative. I used to think drinking water was just a stim, but lately the constant thirst has come back. Water doesn't do anything but a carbonated drink will keep it away for a while. Is this kind of thirst just an autism thing?

 

[OkRad]

I do, too. Have you ever had genetic testing related to your autism?

 

[MyLifeAsAnAspie]

I believe it is common to have thirst issues. I am usually the other extreme of not recognizing my thirst fast enough until I get dehydrated. Although, I was once concerned that I had diabetes at a time when I was drinking a lot. This is related to sensory processing issues. This webpage explains the connection to ASD Why Kids with ASD are often Thirsty! - Sue Larkey

 

[SchrodingersMeerkat]

I do, too. Have you ever had genetic testing related to your autism?

No, because I had no idea there was autism related genetic testing.

 

[Deepthought]

Ever since I can remember, and especially as a young child, I could never feel "un-thirsty". It was like I had Prader Willi Syndrome, but instead of constant, insatiable hunger, I felt constant, insatiable thirst. I couldn't concentrate at school because I was so thirsty and on the rare occasions I was allowed to have a water bottle with me, I would drink it until it was empty and wasn't allowed to refill it. My second grade classroom had a drinking fountain in it, but the witch of a teacher would refuse to let anyone drink out of it. I was so desperate I would get up anyway and she would try and guilt trip me about how my classmates couldn't do that. Uhh? What? They were not tied down lady. They could get up and get a drink any time they wanted. I guess I just didn't have a psychological tether like they did.

But what goes in but come out. I never was allowed to use the restroom when I needed too because I "had already gone" and had lots of accidents and no matter what class I was in, I was the "pants wetter". I wet my pants in kindergarten, but the other kids remembered and loved to remind me as late as 4th grade. I was homeschooled since 5th grade but had I stayed in the public school system, they probably would have teased me until high school.

Once I was homeschooled, I was allowed to drink and use the restroom as often as I needed too and did not even have to ask. But as a result of what happened in the public school, I need to have water with me or else I panic.

My mother was always having me tested for diabetes, but it always came back negative. I used to think drinking water was just a stim, but lately the constant thirst has come back. Water doesn't do anything but a carbonated drink will keep it away for a while. Is this kind of thirst just an autism thing?

What you are describing seems to be a condition called 'Polydipsia' (multitudinous thirst) ~ and may be of the psychogenic (stress induced) variety as being a stim, hence carbonated water being more of a sensory fulfilment or satisfaction.

It may involve a serum and tissue salt and zinc deficiency, which can lead to significant health issues including kidney and heart failure and the risk of seizures ~ so it needs to be addressed as a potentially serious condition with your General [Medical] Practitioner at the earliest opportunity, especially with it becoming more of an issue of late, just to be safe and sure.

Here is Wikipedia link on Polydipsia as follows:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polydipsia

By the way ~ amazing username @SchrodingersMeerkat! Instantaneous classic, love it!
.

 

[Fino]

Have you ever talked to doctors about it?

 

[SchrodingersMeerkat]

Have you ever talked to doctors about it?

Yes. All the tests for diabetes came back negative.

 

[Progster]

I had a student like this. I'm not aware of him having any particular medical condition, though. Perhaps there's something going on with the signals being sent to the brain that you are thirsty being triggered all the time, when there is no actual biological need. A sensory issue.

 

[SusanLR]

I have had the same unquenchable thirst as long as I can remember also.
Also the carbonated drinks help satisfy it longer.

Doctor's can't seem to think of anything but diabetes as a reason, but, I'm not diabetic.
I have a battery of blood tests twice per year from my general primary doctor. A1c is always good.

I also sweat very profusely even if it is cold when I do any exerction. House cleaning, gardening,
anything where I move around a bit. Mainly my head and back of neck.
Hair is like I've been in the shower after 15 mins of work.
Don't know why I am like that either.
I keep a bottle of water with me everywhere. First thing when I awake in the night is grab the water!
I slurp down those 17 oz bottles in just a few gulps.

 

[renaeden]

I've dreamt about drinking.

I've always been a thirsty sort of person but now it is a lot worse because I take lithium which makes my mouth and throat dry. I must always take a drink with me when I leave the house. My housemate found cupholders to go in my car which I'm very grateful for. Sometimes I wish that I didn't take lithium but then I know it helps my mood. I get my level tested every three months so I know it's therapeutic.

 

[OkRad]

I do think carbonation is addictive because people I know who are NT can't stop with the seltzer, either. I am also addicted to it. You are right. Water doesn't do it. I live with someone who can down an entire box of Perrier in a day. I can go through a good 4 cans at a time.

Because so many people have that, it must be about the seltzer, not us.

That said, there are conditions like diabetes which you do not have and there are people who can get drunk off water, but regular water or any water does it.

So I am rather intrigued by the amount of people I know who are "addicted" to seltzer and are spending more money than you would imagine for a "psychic" need. I think it's physical.

 

[SusanLR]

Thinking back on medical causes that can produce thirst, I remembered these two that are not often
heard of:
Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system attacks parts of your own body by mistake. In Sjogren's syndrome, it attacks the glands that make tears and saliva. This causes a dry mouth and dry eyes.
Blood tests for diagnosis.

and Sicca syndrome: An autoimmune disease, also known as Sjogren syndrome, that classically combines dry eyes, dry mouth, and another disease of connective tissue such as rheumatoid arthritis (most common), lupus, scleroderma or polymyositis. There is a great preponderance of females.

IF you have dry eye syndrome and very dry mouth, ask your doctor to check for these two.
Most doctor's don't think of them in a routine visit.