Increased Thirst / Suppressed Thirst
Users on Reddit report varied experiences with thirst while on GLP-1 medications, with some experiencing increased thirst and others a suppression of thirst, often leading to dehydration if not managed. They recommend several strategies to combat these issues, primarily focusing on hydration and electrolyte intake.
Experiences with Increased or Suppressed Thirst:
A user described their experience: "For the first time in my life I have to remind myself to drink water or I end up with dehydration headaches. I have always been a heavy water drinker and now it's a struggle to remember to drink enough. "[6]
Another user mentioned, "I have found myself not wanting to reach for water at all during the day. I have to make conscious efforts to chug some throughout the day when I used to be thirsty and carry water everywhere. "[8]
One user highlighted the severity: "I started taking a GLP-1 medication six weeks ago... For me, the GLP-1 medication suppressed my thirst an extreme amount. As a result, I’ve been severely dehydrated over the past few weeks, and no amount of water seemed sufficient. "[11]
A user with severe dehydration reported, "My mouth feels like it’s on fire all of the time... I have a 32 oz water bottle that I fill between 10-12 times a day and probably 2-3 times a night... I cannot ever ‘feel’ like I’m hydrated. "[12, 13]
Someone else noted, "I am usually a water chugger but on this med I forget to drink. It is wild. I make a very conscious effort"[10]
A user with POTS mentioned, "Keep in mind that these meds can dehydrate you easily, so POTS will likely be worse than usual on it. "[17]
Another user with dysautonomia said, "I sometimes struggle to drink the bazillions of water I need for POTS, and I may have to choose water/electrolytes over a snack if my tummy is just saying no. "[18]
Increased Thirst:
Some users experience the opposite. One user reported, "In the first month or so I experienced severe nausea and headaches... I was also constantly incredibly thirsty and couldn’t seem to drink enough to stop the feeling of dry mouth. "[15]
Another user with Interstitial Cystitis said, "My glp-1 makes me more thirsty, but I’ve also had much worse bladder pain since starting the mounjaro. "[14]
Reasons for Hydration Importance:
It's also linked to preventing constipation: "I find water is vital to not being horribly and painfully constipated on these meds lol"[3]
One comprehensive comment explained, "GLP-1s decrease both hunger and thirst cues... You are eating less food, which is a big source of water... Combat constipation... Keep your kidneys healthy; dehydration on GLP-1s is no joke... The byproducts of fat catabolism during weight loss are excreted by breathing and urinating. Keeping hydrated supports this process. "[9]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
One user who struggles with drinking enough water due to nausea and reduced thirst asked for tips. [5]
Electrolytes:
"I’ve definitely noticed that drinking water with electrolytes helps curb nausea and dehydration on Wegovy. "[7]
"water with electrolytes near shot day helped me a lot. Now I have them every day, and I feel much better with much better energy for it. "[16]
"it’s a great idea to also have electrolyte drinks in addition to water. Electrolytes are key to proper hydration... If you’re peeing a lot and still feel thirsty, that is a good sign to consider a sports drink on these meds. "[10]
One user shared, "I was so sick for the first month despite chugging water. Then i bought a cart full of Gatorade and coconut water. chugged it all and finally felt human again... I drink pickle juice when the things get dire. "[10]
Another user takes electrolytes to combat severe dehydration and mouth pain. [12, 13]
Pedialyte was mentioned: "I do try to drink 8-12 ounces of Pedialyte daily because before I was doing that, I did end up dehydrated and with a UTI"[19]
Managing Dry Mouth (often linked to dehydration):
"I also suck on xylitol lozenges like crazy to try to keep the cotton out of my mouth. "[12, 13]
"I will sometimes gargle with hydrogen peroxide and that MIGHT help a tiny bit. "[12]
"swishing around milk of magnesia will give me a bit of pain relief for a few minutes"[12]
Users frequently state the importance of being proactive about hydration because the medication can significantly reduce the sensation of thirst, potentially leading to dehydration and related complications like kidney issues, constipation, and headaches.
Experiences with Increased or Suppressed Thirst:
- Suppressed Thirst/Dehydration:
- Many users note a decrease in their natural thirst cues, making intentional hydration necessary.
Reasons for Hydration Importance:
- Users emphasize hydration to prevent kidney issues.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Intentional Hydration:
- "I have to make conscious efforts to chug some throughout the day"[8]
- "I have to remind myself to drink water or I end up with dehydration headaches.
Users frequently state the importance of being proactive about hydration because the medication can significantly reduce the sensation of thirst, potentially leading to dehydration and related complications like kidney issues, constipation, and headaches.