Hot 48 miles and dehydration

[CommuterChick]

This thread has been very instructive. This has been my summer of longer rides -- canyon and prairie, lots of headwinds, and while no confusion or hallucinations, I started to have what I call gnatstorms of microseizures. I do have epilepsy, but I haven't had seizures in years, and these were only happening immediately after rides. I thought it might be due to dehydration, so really tried to up the water intake, but still wasn't doing it. I told my ride buddies, they started building extra marcy-water-stops into the organized rides we did, gotta love your ride buddies.

I'd never even tried gatorade or shot blocks (I call 'em fake jello shots) before, but started this summer, and so far no more seizures. Now I'm having energy swoops, highs and lows, more often lows, so have to figure out how to manage this, so turned to Team Estrogen for some collective wisdom. I bought some Heed yesterday after a 50 mile dry and windy ride. I will be rereading this thread and looking elsewhere on Nutrition/Hydration for ideas on spike mgmt, but thank you for your willingness to share your experiences -- I'm feeling less pathetic now.

[Catrin]

I bought some Heed yesterday after a 50 mile dry and windy ride. I will be rereading this thread and looking elsewhere on Nutrition/Hydration for ideas on spike mgmt, but thank you for your willingness to share your experiences -- I'm feeling less pathetic now.

I hope the Heed works for you - FOR ME Heed works great, and for rides over 2 hours I add in Accelerade (lemon-lime or mountain berry). Perpetuam just doesn't work for me as well as Accelerade.

I hope that you can work this out, but it sounds like you might be on the right track. I like Shot Blocs as well - they work for me.

This is such a personal thing that changes between individuals and our bodies. What works for one may not another - but of course we can't figure out what WILL work until we get into the longer rides. I have learned that I have to eat/drink a LOT on longer rides to keep my energy up but someone else may not need to do so...

Keep us posted on how things go.

[Biciclista]

this is a very good thread. I just wanted to say that day by day our needs are different. I had to fast for a dr's appt and by the time they looked at me my bp was 80 over 50 and she was pretty freaked out about it. She says that a lot of us are always borderline dehydrated and that for a ride I should start hydrating the night before. Now a year ago I did tour de blast and was still thirsty (and drinking lots) 3 days later.. Last week I did another mountain pass ride and followed Dr's instructions. My husband was very annoyed (I drank some of his water) but I was rehydrated the next day and quite pleased with myself. I'm not drinking enough to swamp myself, but really, any symptoms like cramps or headaches are better tackled immediately.

[malkin]

Always dehydrated: only occasionally hospitalized for it.

Pinch Test:
Pinch up the skin on the back of your hand between your thumb and pointer.
If you are well hydrated it will pop right back down flat after you pinch it up. If you are "down-a-quart" it will fall rather slowly.

I learned this from an ER nurse.

Is there more to the story? Why, Yes, yes there is.

[OakLeaf]

Interesting ... how long should one hold the "pinch"?

[malkin]

Just pinch it up and let it go.
The info is all in how long it takes to fall down.

[CommuterChick]

just checked back in -- wow, there's really a lot of life in this thread! thanks for the well wishes. Intrigued by the pinch test, Malkin, I'd say my flapdown is slow, but need a benchmark. I used to work with a librarian who programmed her computer to bug her every hour with "Stretch! and Look away!" Maybe mine should add "drink something!" Biciclista, I like the hydrating the night before idea -- I bet I'm always so worried about event pee-control that I do the opposite. Catrin, I don't actually know what Accelerade is, will look it up.

Excuse me, I have to go drink some water!