Satins

[Tony04]

I take Satins cholesterol lowering drugs I have just read that they are bad for kidneys should I stop taking them.

[Hidden]

I take a statin to help with cholesterol. My nephrologist has okayed it for me. Some are not advised for the later stages but discuss this with your nephrologist

[Tony04 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks again sorry if I’m asking too many questions you probably guessed I’m doing a lot of reading never occurred to me that Satins and kidneys could be related also multivitamins not recommended and milk who would ever thought milk.

[Hidden in reply to Tony04]

There is no such thing as asking too many questions. When you get the diagnosis of CKD you should be asking questions and doing research on what lifestyle changes you have to make to slow the progression.

Always talk to your nephrologist regarding any OTC medicines and supplements as well as prescription medicines and always make sure that any other doctors you see know about all of your health conditions. Some medications can be taken in the early stages but once you enter Stage 4 they have to changed or stopped. That's why if you have underlying conditions like diabetes or hypertension you have to get them under control in order to help you slow the progress of CKD.

I'm posting a list for you and others on foods that have to be reduced. What your limits should be must be determined by your nephrologist based on the ongoing lab results run by your doctor.

FOODS HIGH IN POTASSIUM

milk, milkshakes, hot chocolate, eggnog, ice cream, sherbet, frozen yogurt, pudding, yogurt, custard, molasses/sorghum, dried fruit, apricots, bananas, honeydew, orange and prune juice, kiwi, oranges, nectarines, nuts, seeds, whole grain/bran cereals, sports drinks, artichokes, avocado, fresh beets, Brussel Sprouts, chewing tobacco/snuff, dried beans and peas, greens and spinach, wax beans okra, potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash, tomatoes and tomato products

FOODS HIGH IN PHOSPHORUS

cheese, milk, soymilk, custard, flan, whole grain breads, cereals, eggnog, milkshakes, hot chocolate, pudding, yogurt, ice cream, ice milk, sherbet, frozen yogurt, baking soda, baking powder, pancakes, waffles, muffins, cake, cornbread, avocado, biscuits, beans and peas (except green/wax beans), corn tortilla, brown/wild rice and rice mixes, coconut, nuts, nut butter, seeds, dried fruit, dark colored sodas, beer, chocolate, pizza, organ meats, sardines, mackerel

FOODS HIGH IN SODIUM

lunch meats, tacos, sausage, sauerkraut, ham and other cured meats, salted nuts, cheese/cottage cheese, salt and seasoned salt, condiments, hot dogs, bacon, pickled foods, canned foods, canned soup and salted crackers, pizza, frozen dinners, sauces and dressings, chips, pretzels

Best of luck.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Tony04]

Tony, never a bad question. And if you are wondering about something, then so are others. The thing with milk is the type of protein it has which is why it is hard on the kidneys. Dairy in general. Almond milk is a good substitute. Some multivitamins are GREAT for kidneys. But this is something your doctor needs to review with you because there are so many out there with different ingredients. I do not take a multivitamin, but instead have a selection of individual vitamins I take separately to make sure I get what I need the most. That was figured out by a functional medicine doctor. But my nephrologist had recommended a multivitamin before.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Bassetmommer]

I use almond milk and like it as a substitute. I will ask my Primary Doctor about my multivitamin and take bottle to next visit.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Statins being harmful to the kidneys is old school. They are finding now that they are not harmful but actually protective because of the less stress they have on the cardiovascular system in general. And there is a major correlation to CKD and heart disease so anything that is protective is a good thing. Just start with the smallest dose and see if that is ok. I was terrified to go on one when they discovered a small blockage in my heart. The blockage is from the inflammation in my whole body and was probably not preventable. But using a statin will help the keep the blockage from getting worse. Sure beats an angiogram which would have shut my kidneys right down.

[Goldie13]

Hi, I have stage 3 Kidney Disease and my doctor put me on statins in 2017 even though my cholesterol is fine, they said it is to protect my kidneys and Heart! Now I’m confused.

[Hidden in reply to Goldie13]

There are some statins that are good for you and will help. I take one and the directions were to take it at night without food and that has worked well for me. Depending on your health care needs your doctor(s) will have specific instructions for you to go with a specific statin to take. Dosage will usually be low to begin with and increased as warranted.

[Tony04 in reply to Goldie13]

Thank you so kind to give me that information I will start taking mine again they are only 5mg when I see my doctor I will check thank you so very much.

[Green306]

I have been concerned about the same issue. What do most of you take?

[CatOnACloud]

Given statin to help arteries since I have diabetes it is thought that it will help. I made sure it wasn’t a harmful statin…

[Jumbo1]

I can't take any Statin class, make my Creatine kinase (CK) jump to the roof (heart attack).

[Skeptix]

On descending to the bottom of the CKD 3b scale, my nephrologist decided to tackle my elevated cholesterol and prescribed a statin. I was 6.6.

As it happens, I'd decided to embark upon a vegan diet around that time as a kidney preserving thing so requested to delay the statin and wait-n-see.

3 months later and my cholesterol is 5.4. I haven't gotten formal results yet but was told that there was an even better improvement in the healthy/unhealty cholesterol ratio.

It's not for everyone, this vegan thing, but if you're not keen on meds then diet may be an option for you.