Dehydration in manic depression?

We hear so much about the societal impact & psychiatric symptoms of manic depression (bipolar.) I hope to hear from fellow bipolars & other interested parties about a physical problem I've been experiencing that I believe is connected to the illness. Some background: I am 36, female, diagnosed about 6 years ago, first episode was a depression at age 12 or so. My M/D as an adult is very seasonal. If I'm going to go manic, it always happens in spring or summer. I'll call the problem I'm experiencing a "fluid balance" issue. I have virtually no sense of thirst. If I force myself to drink more than the three cups or so I have with meals, I simply pee it out. If I exert myself (playing tennis, for example) & I get past a certain point (my face will feel hot) I'll know I'll have a bad dehydration headache later. Drinking water doesn't help; sports drink might. I can also overheat after going up & down stairs & in the sun, not as bad, more like a flush. I'm not menopausal. Thoughts? Thanks!

I take Epilim (Depakote) 400 mg a day (more in spring/summer when I'm vulnerable to mania.) What I stated applies mainly to the remission periods. A few times when I've been very manic (but not every time) I found myself drinking tons of water. Interesting, eh? I don't think I've ever been a very thirsty person, but these hydration-related problems seem to be getting worse recently (had some cracks in my heels and now have developed a small anal fissure too--lovely!) And since I have a few more characters now to clarify, a few months ago I had my psychiatrist run lots of blood tests and that's how I know I'm not menopausal (also still getting monthly periods and suspect I'm usually ovulating.)

10 years Mental Health exp-
Dehydration can be caused by many things. Changes in medication, diet, excersise. One thing that I have noticed for myself is that I get dehydrated up to 2 weeks before my period. I don't feel any more thirsty as I usually do during the month but I have had to change my diet accordingly. It has also caused me to 'think' that I am hungry and to eat more. My body doesn't know the differance.

You say that you think it is due to your mental illness however I would suggest that it is just a normal problem or it may be worse due to your medications. I don't think it is directly related to your illness.

If you get a chance pick up a book called the 2007 drug handboook. It will tell you what all of the side effects of your medication is and you can pick it up at your local bookstore. It is a great resource. It has every medication in it that can be prescribed by a doctor or over the counter.

I have Bipolar I and trying to understand completely your question (I get terribly dehydrated) but need some clarification. Is this problem usually when you are manic? Are you currently on any prescription medication(s)? (please give drug name to ANY RX, if applicable). That would help me get a better view. P.S. If you add these details and I don't respond for a while (I'm going to bed now & out of town tomorrow), I'll check again by adding your Q to my "Watch List."
March 23: I combed everywhere on the Internet for this and came up with nothing to give any definitive answer. All I can answer you with is from personal experience. And your 2nd answer does have a good point because when I'm NOT in a depressed episode, my need for more hydration is twice the normal amount. When I used lithium, it was extreme and unquenchable so they switched me to Depakote. It drastically improved the dehydration, but basically, I drink a lot more fluids, of any type, than other people and let it go at that. Since you said you have almost no sense of thirst yet when you exert yourself physically you begin to overheat, let that be the indicator yourself that although your body won't tell you by making you truly thirsty and then you get a bad headache, just be one step ahead by continuously hydrating with whatever fluid you like. Sport drinks are great for this. Now that spring is here, everyone needs more hydration and since you said yours tends to be seasonal in spring and summer, just keep it in mind and drink the fluids. Either way, you must remember that your epilmil is hard on your liver function, so you'd need to anyway. Good luck--bottoms up!

Maybe when you are manic, you burn off more body fluids, requiring more intake.
Also, does diabetes run in your family? ( though I'm sure your DR looked into all that)

Sound to me that you are dealing with two separate concerns.

Your dehydration may simply be compounded by the medication you are taking.

Having you asked your Dr. if dehydration is common for people on your particular medication?
Have you asked your Dr. if dehydration is a symptom of women in your age group who have manic depression?

There are so many variables involved here that anyones novice opinion would do justice too.

The same could apply to a professional without your case history.

Consult your Dr as soon as you can with your concerns.