no salt no sugar no potassium help!!!

[Louise71]

I have seen my consultant today we have discussed dialysis, I have had a fistula fitted but it hasn't worked so am waiting to have another fitted. he suggested I think about the perennial dialysis which I don't like the idea of. he also suggested I cut out potassium in my diet, I already don't add salt to my diet or eat high salt foods. I am also type 1 diabetic so sugar is limited. What else do I need to cut out because of the potassium? my eGFR is currently at 13%. I am on the SPK transplant list but want to remain as healthy as possible to hold off dialysis before transplant any advice would be appreciated x

[phillen]

that must be very difficult for you peritoneal dialysis is very good at clearing potassium my hubby has no problems with it he much prefers to do PD as it gives you a more "normal" life you have more control & your viens are protected then!

you can't really cut out potassium altogether as all fruit & veg contain it you can be given potassium binders also! high potassium foods you could avoid would be bananas, jacket potatos & anything with skins or peel!

there are some good recipes on the davita website it makes it more difficult for you being diabetic i should imagine! i have heard that rinsing your veg more & soaking it before cooking helps remove some! so you could try that they say there is more in uncooked veg also avoid eating the fluid that its cooked in so avoid stews currys etc! hope this helps as i say its only tips that i have picked up on the journey with my hubby who has been on dialysis for 4 years now!

[Hardworkthisbeingpoorly]

Hi I've just done 6 years on peritoneal dialysis and I have just gone onto HD but instead of having a fistula I had a neck line put in I refuse to have a fistula ! Anyway PD had served me very well for the 6 years and I was able to do it at home and have a pretty close to normal lifestyle the pottasim phosphate etc etc are not strictly needed to be cut out but just avoid the high content stuff like bananas and beetroot I am also on the SKP transplant list as yes you guessed I'm type 1 diabetic too . The PD is less invasive as HD as its just a fluid that sits in and around your abdomen all the time dializing while you get on with your life ! However it is packed with glucose but check your blood sugar when you come off in a morning and if it's high I just adjusted my insulin . I'm only 37 so I carried on working only part time though . If you do decide to go on PD and because it is full of glucose you will probably put weight on over time ! I'm only making s point of this because I put weight on about 30kg doesn't sound much but it pushed my BMI up to 35 which is classed as obese and I got a phone call from the hospital to go for a transplant and they refused because my BMI was above 30 . That was 3 year ago and gladly since then I've lost 20kg (2stone) it was very difficult but I nailed it and now I'm just being un suspended but because I put the weight on it has delayed me getting a transplant . So beware of your BMI at every cost ! Because it's soul destroying being told you can't have a transplant ! Apart from the weight I'm glad I went on PD rather than HD . I started HD Monday and all is going well with it ! The neck line is working well ! If you have any specific questions or any questions at all just message me

[Hidden]

Hi Louise,

All fruit and veggies have potassium content but some more than others! High potassium fruits and vegetables include bananas, broccoli, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms, cantaloupe, collard greens, prunes and raisins. Pretty much anything with peel! It is also recommended that you boil your veggies as some potassium will come out into the water then you can discard the water. For example if you do want to eat potatoes boil and mash them, stay away from roasties and jackets.

I can't recommend what you can eat as I am not diabetic, however, I purchased a really good book that I recommend called Eating Well with Kidney Failure. It is full of great advise and recipes that you can follow, for diabetics too.

Additionally, your consultant should recommend seeing a dietitian. You can ask them to help you work out a weekly meal plan to suit your blood results which helps a lot.

Hope this all helps!

My GFR is also 13%, but I have decided to do the PD dialysis and having my catheter fitted tomorrow. Eek! I'm a little squeamish but like the idea of fitting it in my normal daily routine. It's good to start the dialysis now before letting your GFR fall any further. That way you won't allow your body to fall ill before you're on the dialysis. (You can suffer symptoms like tiredness, loss of energy and appetite at around GFR 10 and below)

I'm really interested in other peoples decisions and to see how they get on so do keep us updated! Good luck with your fistula. Wishing you all the best

[pluto94]

Amandajc has the best list of foods to avoid for the potassium , Phosphates are generally in dairy goods, oily fish and nuts worth reducing some of these . For HD some hospitals will only use necklines as a temporary measure till you get a working fistula or stent fitted due to the infection risks .

[Louise71]

Hey thanks for the info and advice. I am seeing my consultant in a months time. I can't bring myself to have the PD it just wouldn't fit into my routine which i need to run my life not the kidney disease run it for me. I have a lot if decisions to make which I am struggling with incorporating my family with health issues so appreciate your advice and support xx