To drink or not to drink

[MrsP70]

After taking Losartan potassium for a week , now two weeks, I am having trouble having a pee , very limited flow and Also constipated which I have never been before, the question is do I drink more or less and can I take laxatives. I am stage 3 CKD gfr 44

[Hidden]

If your PCP cannot help you, ask for a referral to a urologist. That's the way I would start and it paid off for me.

[MrsP70 in reply to Hidden]

Things were perfectly normal until I took theLosertan

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Hi Mrs,

Make sure you have a conversation with your doc. There are other BP meds which are actually good for the kidney. I am on irbesartan.

webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4720...

[JimVanHorn]

MrsP70 When I was in stage 3 my nephrologist told me how much water to drink every day. This amount changes according to the stage, GFR, weight if the patient I can not tell you how much to drink. Cal your doctor soon and find out. I use the generic for Fiberall Powder (generic) which I dissolve into water daily. My diet may change and so I increase or decrease the amount accordingly. Tell the doctor about everything you are taking, including any supplements. It is important that you take care of this to avoid future problems. I assume you are following a low Sodium, Potassium, and Phosphate diet. If not ask your nephrologist to connect you with a renal dietitian. The medication the we use for kidney disease is your DIET!. Not for weight control but foods that are not high in sodium, potassium, and phosphates. I no longer buy anything from 7-11. Fresh foods are the best and limit meat to chicken or fish and only 3 ounces per meal. Best of luck to you.

[MrsP70 in reply to JimVanHorn]

Thank you , I am mostly following a low salt no meat diet , with fruit and Veg . here in the UK they wont send you to see a renal Dr or dietician until you are in the next stage so it seems we have to find out and do what we can ourselves also they will never give you the results of any blood work in detail.

We cannot just call our Dr either its different when you are paying for treatment like in the US

As for the Potassium and Phosphate I don’t know the numbers if they are high or low. However on November 1st I have appointment to see the Dr and I will ask him for this information but he is not forced to give it to me and I will ask to see a Renal Dr and Dietician , again if he thinks this is not necessary he wont do it and probably will get uppity about it likewise if I ask to go private,

thats how it is in the Uk.

By the Way I wasn’t told I had CKD for 9 years and this it seems has been a problem from others on this forum from the UK my first post on this Forum was titled ANGRY.

Thank you again and I am trying to do the Kidney diet thing with limited knowledge .

[JimVanHorn]

Well, I think you will make it 2 more weeks! When I had stage 4 kidney disease my creatinin had gone up to 4.3 and the doctor thought I should start thinking about dialysis. So I went to the renal dietitian, followed her advice, and my creatinin went down to 3.7 . This is what she suggested for me. Watch potassium (none of the following: bananas, Potatoes (including chips), oranges (including juice), tomatoes or ketchup, black beans, bran or granola). Phosphates: no canned foods at all, no nuts, chocolate, processed meats including bacon, ham, sausage, hot dogs, sliced lunch meat or canned meats. Sodium: if it tastes salty, spit it out,and watch for sodium bicarbonate in cakes and cookies, better to eat yeast raised backed goods. Many fried foods like fish and chicken have thick batter coating with high amounts of Sod. Bicarbonate to make it look bigger than it really is. I know you do eat much meat but it recommended that I eat 3 ounces only at any one meal of chicken or fish (no beef or pork). I buy my vegetables with no preservatives or food colors added. I read the side of a product (like Ensure Plus) or "health" foods to fine out how much potassium they add and what preservative. I drink the amount of water my doctor told me to drink.

My diet is my medication. So what do I eat? Apples, grapes, fresh pineapple, cauliflower, onion, peppers, radishes, squash, and iceberg lettuce (all low in potassium). French bread, fresh corn, rice, cream of wheat, and popcorn (all low in Phosphorus). Stop salting food as you cook, rather after you taste your food then add little to the surface if needed. I rarely touch the salt shaker. It turns out that carbonated drinks like coca cola have phosphorus (all dark colored drinks do) but we can have lemon drinks like 7-up if you want that. I have one cup of coffee daily and drink tea mostly. So if I were you I would wait until you find out about what is causing your breathing problems before you start this diet. I wish you luck in your discovery!

[MrsP70 in reply to JimVanHorn]

Thank you I will take that onboard

[MrsP70]

Not just a little Chocolate at the weekend ☹️

[JimVanHorn in reply to MrsP70]

When you find out your test results you can change your diet accordingly. I quit chocolate, but I am stage 5. Chocolate has phosphates and other flavoring agents plus a ton of sugar. I believe that if you choose to eat that, then cut out other Phosphates. For now just cool it for 2 weeks until you see the doctor.