(no subject)

[deathchicken.livejournal.com]

i am just wondering how many of you get bad water retention like i do. i gain five or more pounds a month because of it and immediately lose it over my period. it drives me crazy because it makes my abdomen puff out like i was a few months pregnant; i can't fit into my pants, and it kind of feels odd with all the pressure. and of course i crave salt like nobody's business.
of course, pigging out on sodium i'm sure is not great for me. can you guys tell me how you deal with bad water retention, especially if it's a healthy way? i eat too many pretzels as it is--i don't want to drive myself into a heart attack with the cravings. ^_^
thankyou.

Comments

[zitronenhai.livejournal.com]

This might sound like a load of crap, but if you can get ahold of Traditional Medicinals PMS Tea, it is a 'healthy and effective' alternative to water pills and stuff like that. It sounds like it could never work, you know...it's tea! But it doesn't taste terrible, and it actually does work. Someone gave me two bags one time, and I've been devoted ever since. You might want to give it a whirl. If your allergic to anything, check the ingredients first - but there's nothing dangerous in there. Most major grocery stores carry it, so you don't even have to find a health food store. Let me know if you try it and how it works for you.

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[deathchicken.livejournal.com]

really? it gets rid of bloating? awesome! i might just check it out. thanks.

[scarlett75.livejournal.com]

One quick suggestion or thought:

Do you consume many carbonated beverages premenstrualy?? Or, at any time in the month really.

Most people don't realize how much sodium they DRINK in a day. Even diet drinks are really high in sodium. Also, the ingredients in sodas can act as a diuretic...making you lose more water than the fluid you are drinking. I know it sounds wierd, but this can actually make you retain water because your body immediately tries to keep all of it's hydration "in". Here's a breakdown of the process:

the body is a little dehydrated.
you drink a carbonated beverages.
Because of the sodium in said beverage, you lose water through slightly increased urination (caused by caffeine) and possibly experience increased glucose (if the drink isn't diet).
In reaction to the glucose, the pancreas and kidneys pump into overtime to try and rid the excess sugars from the body. Causing you to pee more, sweat more, ect...
If you drink alot of sodas in a day, your body tricks itself into thinking that it's becoming dehydrated - even if you drink 80 oz of soda, the sodium in said drink twists your chemistry.
So...in response to the above...your body starts RETAINING water to make up for what it thinks it's losing.

Long story short...try cutting out sodas!!

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[deathchicken.livejournal.com]

ahhhhhh. that would explain a lot. i am somewhat addicted to (non-caffienated) soda. thanks for the advice--i will definitely try to cut back.
(now that i think about it, since i've been home, i've drunk maybe a tenth of the soda i drink at school. and my bloating isn't half as bad now as it is there. you're right.)

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[scarlett75.livejournal.com]

:) just a thought... it happens to alot of people!

[the-marionette.livejournal.com]

Oh good point! I always forget how much sodium is in soda because it tastes so sweet.

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[scarlett75.livejournal.com]

:) It's easy to forget!

[the-marionette.livejournal.com]

I get horrible water retention every month. I gain at least 5 pounds if not more. I wear a size 12 comfortably but have size 14 pants from when I was heavier. The week before my period until when its over the size 12's no longer fit and the 14's are snug. I actually haven't tossed them for this reason.

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[deathchicken.livejournal.com]

heh, it's the same for me. i wear pants that are form-fitting, but not tight at all. the week or so before my period, i can't wear them unless the button is open and the zipper down. ^_^ i save my stretchy pants for that week.

[gigglinggorgon.livejournal.com]

Same problems here. I use a homeopathic water pill called Chroma Slim for those moments. It doesn't work fast, but it's all natural and it works. Also, fresh parsley and dandaline greens in a salad are great for bloating :)

[ailbhe]

Many people have two wardrobes - one for ordinary and one for bloat-week. Some people find that they need a bigger bra for that week, too.

You might try diuretics or digestives, like chamomile or peppermint teas. If your hands and feet swell too, try soaking them in water as hot as you can bear, or running something cold over your wrists and ankles (where the arteries are). Different people find that different things work.