Researching for answers

While searching for answers to why my kidney function as not rebounded fully to pre medication plummet, I came across this article.

tcmworld.org/what-is-tcm/th...

Interesting, but do I believe it? Well no, but then, would I try it, frankly, why not. Seems the worst it can do is give me sore feet!

I read an article that suggests any soft drink is detrimental to CKD patients kidney function.I guess my daily tipple is now off the menu, which it should have been for the diabetes, if I'm honest with myself.

Anyway my latest results are not the Christmas pressie I had expected or hoped for. It has knocked me back a little, but the upside I'm still out of stage 3B.

All other results remain static, so the plundering of beetroot has not shifted the potassium levels. Just made the urine a lovely sparkling red bubbly!

I did come across some information that suggests beetroot is beneficial to kidney function, especially canned and drained as the water in the can leaches out potassium. As I like it in vinegar that's not so bad either. I had been cutting back the vinegar content and using more of the water, but I shouldn't be. I should be using tap water with the vinegar so I'm not keeping the potassium content of the caned fluid.So beetroot is ok for now.

With summer on the doorstep and the tomatoes doing well I need to be strong and resist temptation. I grow our own in Zoodoo fertiliser. They grow fast and strong with the best flavour ever. I'm not sure if it is the rhino, elephant, lion or any other animal at the zoo but I do know it is not bull s--t! that makes them so good and tempting. I can't even eat one as it will lead to 2,3,4 and even more!

I find it easy not to have what I'm not supposed to have, until I taste the first bite, then all restraints are gone, as is the offending food!

So the one slice of a medium sized red raw tomato while acceptable at around 45mg potassium is devastating in the end by 300mg potassium approx for each tomato of which that is just the first!

So this year I will be celebrating Christmas without the traditional ham, tomatoes and all the lovely sweet deserts I love to eat. Instead I'll be living it high with Salmon, vegetables, water and some berries for desert! Sounds more like a Bears diet. Such joys of being CKD and diabetic.

The one remaining thought that is constantly in the back of the mind; how much longer do I want to survive CKD, that's what makes sticking to my diet possible. Self preservation is a powerful tool.

Talking about it, or in this case writing about it, while sticking in some borax/ hilarity helps me reset and get back to living again.

All that remains is to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a better New Year.

Cheers

[rabbit01]

Merry Christmas to you. I was diagnosed five years ago and by that time I was already down to 17%. Was given 6 months till dialysis by the doctors but through diet changes I managed to make them last until November this year when I finally had to start dialysis at 7% eGFR. In my experience most nephrologists pay little attention to our diet yet I am convinced that it can make a huge difference in slowing down the progression of CKD. As you have noted it certainly is not easy sticking to a renal friendly diet and there is no one size fits all so it takes much effort to find what works best for you. Anyway keep doing what you are doing and hopefully you will be fine.

[Bassetmommer]

HI Cheyne,

Your post is so honest. We all fight the battle of the FORBIDDEN fruits, so to speak. I love(d) potatoes in any form. I can;t have a little either. But on Thanksgiving, I did have a 1/2 cup of my wonderful mash potatoes and I was pleasantly surprised I did not enjoy them. Between the starchy taste and the guilt, it was not worth it.

I like learning about alternative medicine and health practices. I read the article and, well... the only thing I took away from it was this:" Stop energy drains! Conserve your energy by sleeping before midnight, resting when you’re tired, and giving yourself permission to take a break and de-stress."

[Hidden]

Hi,

Unfortunately I have had diagnosed CKD, Diabetes, extreme cholesterol and high blood pressure for well over 20 years. Sadly a succession of Dr's over that period neglected to inform me until 2 years ago when my kidney's stopped working. I can't say failed as the were kick started again after 18 hours.

So I pretty much stumbled through life being angry with everyone else while trying to figure it all out. I finally realised the guy looking back at me in the mirror is the cause of the problems.

So now I take a proactive role in looking after myself. I check my gfr regularly and adjust the diet accordingly. For the most part I have my diet sorted and am just fine tuning it. Well slipping on and off of it, in a small way! As I have said before , I'm no diet angle.

Now nothing passes the lips without knowing the contents and no prescription drugs without knowing the effects on the kidneys. I probably go over the top with this but if I don't I'll let it slide and be back to eating all the stuff I shouldn't.

I know that my kidneys improved without drugs, limited salt and sugar while cutting back on red meat. The minute I started taking prescription drugs my gfr plummeted.

So I have gone back to what we know worked, but I wouldn't recommend my diet to anyone. It is not satisfying and it is barely sustaining some sort of quality of life. At last count I take in 60% of my daily requirements and survive of a sort. Even that will come back to get me eventually.

It is a case of having to do whatever it takes for some quality of life.

I have yet to see a recipe for the CKD diabetic with IBS, plenty of recipes for anyone of them but not for all together.

Cheers

[HealthBuddyMelissa]

Be very careful with TCM. I am all for alternative therapies but you need to do it right and with a skilled practitioner that is willing to work alongside your nephrologist. There are herbs that are dangerous to the kidneys, and one I know specifically that is in a lot of those blends is black licorice. Educate yourself, first, a lot. I do understand the desire to improve function and not need dialysis but not all sources are honest.

[Hidden]

I'm not so sure about the licorice as modern stuff can be free of the nasty s but then again just what is being used as a substitute is also debatable. But it does make me cautious. May be the reason my gfr plateaued after downing a bucket 2 weeks ago in 24 hours. Although it is supposed to clear the kidneys quickly.

Fortunately I can not eat most herbs or spices with IBS so no need to worry there.

Thank the lord I know I'm not a diet angle as I have just munched down on a delicious raspberry and real cream bun while doing the Christmas shop. Fresh, squishy and very tasty when you have not had one in a very long while, even the cat delighted in it! So now a Christmas of regret with a big grin from ear to ear. It may have stuffed up the kidney and diabetes but the IBS isn't complaining , yet.

I'm reminded of my Grandmother who would never resist the last chocolate cake on the plate, despite her insulin dependence. Now I appreciate the feeling.

Anyway that's my moment of madness for another year, roll on next year.

Cheers