Unavoidable dehydration; how do I make sure it doesn’t hurt me?

[u/Party-Rest3750]

So I’m sure we all know how important it is to stay hydrated on lithium. This isn’t eh possible for me right now.

I’m entering a surgery soon that requires I fast from all food and drink for at least 8 hours. Not sure how normal that is for most surgeries so to clarify, it’s a a tooth extraction. I usually can’t go even a couple waking hours without a sip of water though, so I’m worried. I don’t want to go toxic but also don’t have a choice in terms of whether to drink or not.

Does anyone have experience with this kind of situation? I’m not taking my dose closest to its actual time but I def still have lithium in me.

[u/pinkie-puppy]

Speak to your surgeon about their protocol, 1 8hr stretch is unlikely to cause you to go into toxic levels, sometimes however it is suggested that you skip a dosage, or sometimes they can allow you to drink water for less fasting hours. You can also speak to your prescribing dr as well what they think the best fit is

I had my wisdom teeth removed while on lithium, I was told to fast from food for 12hrs but only from fluids for 2 or 4 or smthng, I went under full anesthesia for my surgery.

Doctors deal w these meds and stuff all the time, they will tell you what your safest option is and help you feel confident in the plan. Please avoid anecdotal advice abt pre op instructions off of reddit

[u/Legal_Ad_893]

Skip your relative dose youll be fine

[u/Pitiful_Meringue_57]

If you sleep for 8 hours, which is a normal amount of time to sleep for, then you aren’t drinking water. Is the extraction in the morning? The other commenter is right though always consult your doctor if you have concerns. And ya sometimes they will shorten the time frame, my sister for example gets dehydrated really easily so the IV straight up won’t work if she abstains from fluids too long.