Medical Advice
 

Ok, so this thread is obviously for those medical professionals here.

*elevator music*

Now time for my silly question.

On a normal day (as in, not during recruitment where I can't leave a party to pee all the time), I drink a 1-liter (33.8oz according to the bottle) and 3 or 4 20-ounce bottles of water. So that's what, about 94-114 ounces of water a day? At any rate, it's more than most people drink in a week. I've been drinking this much water a day for most of the last year. I started drinking just water and milk last summer on a diet and even though I've stopped that diet now, anything else is just way too heavy/sweet/whatever for me to enjoy. Not to mention I'm on Ritalin, so caffienated beverages are generally discouraged.
Since we've started prerecruitment/recruitment, I haven't been drinking that much water. By the end of the day, I have distinct (but not really sharp) pains in two spots in my back, across from each other near the bottom of my ribcage. Now am I just paranoid, or are my kidneys saying, "Give us water already!"
I do feel slightly dehydrated when I get home so I'll drink a couple of 20s of water, but it's still not what I'm used to.

Just for the record, I have a few water bottles saved that I refill from my Brita pitcher because a)tap water is nasty and b) I'm too cheap/I'm on a student budget so I can't really afford that many fresh bottles every day.

Has your meds been adjusted recently? I swear rit really dries me up sometimes.

Nope. I started Ritalin at the beginning of the summer and my dosage is still the same.

I take Adderall and it makes me thirsty. I think speedy stuff does that.

ETA: Not that I've answered your question, lol.

I know it's possible to drink too much water, especially if you're not drinking anything to replenish electrolytes. I'm not a professional though, so take that advice for what it's worth.

I'm kind of in the same boat - although mine's not medication related, I dehydrate rather easily, and end up drinking a good amount of water during the day. I have some Gatorade as well though, and I haven't had any problems.

Maybe, if you're drinking that much, mix in a Gatorade or two throughout the day?

ETA: Rob's advice is probably best - when in doubt, see a physician. The worst that can happen is you're ok and out a little money.

Re: Medical Advice
 

Go to a doctor.

The pain you're describing could very well be kidney inflamation - it could also very well be psychosomatism, or even just back pain from a bad chair. The best way to find out is to see someone trained in the art.

No reasonable doctor will give advice out over the internet.