I have a question about dehydration after a kidney donation

[corleto1]

A month ago I donated my left kidney to my sister and last Wednesday I was admitted to the hospital with flu like symptoms and severe dehydration.  My creations were 2.6 and I was told I was in kidney failure.  Thank God that I pulled out of that one.  Anyway, my question is now that I only have one kidney, can I get dehydrated easier or was this a fluke? 

Thanks all,
Enjoy football I'm going to

[Clark]

Best wishes! Glad you're recovering well. Speak to your primary care physician or get a referral to a nephrologist to discuss your situation. Generally, it's not the we become dehydrated more easily, it's that if we do become dehydrated, the demands this places on our single remaining kidney are very worrisome, leading most well informed caregivers to act quickly to reduce these risks. Were you not counselled to be more vigilant about your hydration levels as part of your informed consent process or at discharge from the transplant center?

Regardless, your situation is your own, and now you've experienced a dehydration incident as well, so follow up for improved hydration practices and personal situational awareness techniques. Again, best wishes, and glad you're on the mend. Take good care.

[Fr Pat]

Dear "Corleto1",
     I'm glad you got that resolved! I don't know your age, but it is good to keep in mind that when we are younger we tend to FEEL thirsty when we need hydration, but with the years that warning signal becomes weaker. So we can be seriously dehydrated and yet not FEEL thirsty. So especially for us one-kidney folks it is important to be watchful and make sure we have enough fluids. I still do distant running at age 68, 12 years after donating, but I am very careful to keep well hydrated.
      best wishes,
          Fr. Pat

[corleto1]

Thank both of you for your answers.  I researched all morning trying to figure that one out.  Now I can go to sleep smarter than I was when I started this journey a month ago.  And, even after everything that happened, I would do it again in a heartbeat!!)

[CK]

The only thing I was told to do differently after my surgery was to stay well hydrated.  They told me to always make sure my urine was the color of lemonade.  I drink lots of water now.  It seems like I feel dehydrated more quickly now, but that could just be my imagination.
Yes, I end up peeing all day long and getting up at night, but it's worth it. 

My creatinine has been .9 for quite some time now, so something is working.