OK, first of all, you do not need to drink "100+ ounces of water a day." So don't do that. As I suggested, 64 ounces of fluids per day is normally enough.

Second of all, you should see a urologist to determine whether there is something wrong. Having to pee so bad it hurts 5 minutes after you just went could be the result of a chronic bladder infection. It's not normal.

Jay

Agreed. The answer to the question "what do you do when you're peeing every five minutes?" is "I went to see a urologist." I turned out to have Interstitial Cystitis. Even with an increased fluid intake, urinating that often is nowhere near normal.

I just finished dealing with my first (and hopefully last!) kidney stone. My urologist told me to aim for 3 liters of water a day, and specifically said other beverages don't count toward that intake. Previously, I had thought that "all liquid counts" and that I was doing well with my 64-100 oz a day, plus water-rich foods.

Now I'm puzzled. ???????????

JenMusic, when in doubt, do what your doc says. :)

My urologist said that 64 ounces per day was enough, but that it should be only water. Since then I've read material that indicates other fluids count. I don't think "fluids" includes alcoholic beverages, though, because of the diuretic effect.

I try to drink the 8 glasses of water per day and then add other beverages on top of that. Doesn't always work out, but as a target it's good. Haven't had a kidney stone episode in over 5 years now.

Esofia, interstitial cystitis is exactly what I had in mind.

alaskanlaughter, seriously, do see a doc about this.

Jay

Caffeine is NOT a diuretic!
 

For years people were told not to drink too much caffeine because it was a diuretic -- it pulled out more liquid than you put in.

Then they did actual research, and found that's not true!!

For people who haven't had a lot of caffeine, there is an initial diuretic effect, but that moderates after a bit. This is for people who drink "moderate" amounts of caffeine, though -- a few cups of coffee/soda a day.

The research is relatively recent, but the myth persists.

The new research also shows that, as Jayell says, we don't need to drink gallons of water a day. You DO need to be hydrated, but that can come from a lot of places.

All that said, straight up water is probably the best option, but there's nothing wrong with including all liquids in your count. And know that lots of food has liquid too!

i will mention it to my doctor the next time i see him even though it's been consistently a problem since early childhood :)

I know the feeling of getting so used to something you don't realise it was a problem. I was astonished when my GP told me that no, it is not normal to go to the toilet all the time at night, and that it should be no more than once or twice if you're healthy. So don't think this isn't a problem just because you've had it since childhood! Glad to hear you're mentioning it to the doctor, though.

Look for actual research on how much water you should drink. You don't find it. What you find are articles attacking the conventional wisdom.

I drink for thirst. Obviously, there are medical conditions that might necessitate increased water, but I'm surprised that you still see so much focus on forcing water on ourselves.

That's what I feel I get, "conventional wisdom." My urologist also told me to avoid coffee (sorry, not going to happen) when the most recent studies I've found online say coffee may help prevent kidney stones.

Sorry, OP, to hijack your thread to talk about my kidney woes! :) But I think what I'm saying that "hydration" probably doesn't mean the often crazy large amount of water that many people think we need.

If you continually drink fluids, that goes a way in a couple of days. I know what you mean because today i'm back to the water and going constantly but by tomorrow i'll be ok and only have to go a handful of times.

I drink a lot, but I'm thirsty... I drink for thirst. I probably drink 120 oz. or more a day every day, but I also work out every day and sweat a lot when I work out. If I garden, I'll sweat even more and need more. But, if I drink less.. I drink less. I don't aim for any amount and I wasn't even aware of how much I drank until I started carrying a Sigg container with me and realized how often I refilled it.

I bought a 64oz water bottle that I found on eBay (they're about $9.99 and BPA-free and it comes in different colors). If you search on there, you may find it.

I used to take a sip of water here and there. Sometimes I finish a whole 16.9oz of water (which was an accomplishment). Other times I find myself just not drinking water and just drinking juice, soda or some other crap. And I LOVE soda! I once told my mom that if there was a box of pizza or a 2 liter coke in front of me, I'll take the soda (lol, pizza didn't taste all that good without soda, anyways). I literally have a coke addiction (not the drug!).


Then when I started to exercise, I was losing a lot of water. I was sweating a lot and I barely drank water and my energy level was down the tank for two days until I bought that 64oz bottle (which equals to 8 cups of water a day). It's been a while since I drank soda. I've completely cut out everything besides water. :)

Yes, sometimes I don't finish the whole bottle a day, but it's a lot better than before. No, I don't frequently go to the bathroom. I agree with some people on here who say that there may be something wrong if you go to the bathroom every 5 minute.

BTW: I heard some crazy thing that you must take your weight and divide it by 2 to get the ounce of water you need to drink per day. Something tells me that it's not true, but I'm wondering if you guys heard of this?

Yes, I've heard of it. There are tons of recommendations about how much water to drink -- everyone seems to have a different formula, and over the years these amounts seem to have increased.

But never have I seen any research at all that backs it up. While no research study is perfect, the lack of research is no evidence at all.

So, I think it's not true.

I don't see any problem if you drink a lot of water and then pee a lot especially in winter. But if you drink coffee or any drink which contains high sugar in summer and pee a lot you have to go to a doctor and check your diabetes...