Extreme thirst?

[leighdu]

I've looked everywhere and I haven't really seen this is a major RA symptom, but I have been extremely thirsty for the past few weeks. The more water I drink, the more thirsty I am. Has anyone experienced this with RA? I dread telling my rheumatologist about this and then him telling me I need to get tested for diabetes.

[Mockingbird]

Diabetes could be a cause, so could problems with your electrolytes, kidneys or liver. You should not take this to lightly, diabetes testing isn't that bad. It could just be that you are a bit dehydrated. I would tell the doctor.

[leighdu]

Diabetes could be a cause, so could problems with your electrolytes, kidneys or liver. You should not take this to lightly, diabetes testing isn't that bad. It could just be that you are a bit dehydrated. I would tell the doctor.

Thanks for the reply. I am hoping that it is just dehydration although I don't see how. I guess I just have to get it over with and get it checked out :eek:.

[gwenpinay]

Dehydration is a symptom of many things. As was previously said, it could be diabetes or your kidneys, or yeah, maybe even RA. But it all boils down to getting a proper diagnosis. I understand this state of wanting to know and not knowing is difficult. I think it's best to know what you're dealing with ASAP.

[Orrymain]

I'd definitely get it checked out, sooner rather than later. It shouldn't be related to RA, but as the others have said, diabetes is a big possibility and you don't want to mess around with that.

[Ricardo]

I agree - I think you should get checked out right away.

And this reminds me of hearing that by the time you perceive that you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated so whatever the cause, I think it's worth your attention.

[leighdu]

Thanks for the replies all. Got it checked out and I am clear of the diabetes scare....seems as if it really was dehydration. I would have never thought that since I assumed I was drinking enough water.

[Heather]

Yikes, now I am concerned. I have noticed that I seem so dry sometimes, but I never really paid attention to it. I don't know if I would have to worry about diabetes--and I never thought about it being connected to RA.

[andrew25]

The probable reason might be because of diabetes and other effects associated with drugs such as diuretics, phenothiazines. However it is much likely that excessive thirst is not associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

[naturelover]

No, I don't think it is purely because of Rheumatiod Arthritis. It could be because of many other reasons. I am with people who are having RA and not complained about this.

[leighdu]

Yikes, now I am concerned. I have noticed that I seem so dry sometimes, but I never really paid attention to it. I don't know if I would have to worry about diabetes--and I never thought about it being connected to RA.


My physician actually told me that dry mouth and thirst is more common in an autoimmune disease called Sjogren's Syndrome (sp?) but that it can happen in RA patients too, but it usually not a common symptom. But yes, it is definitely connected to autoimmune diseases, it's just not a major thing in RA although it can happen.