My bicarbonate has been lower than 22 for over a year.
My Neph had not seen me since Feb and the reading was 16 and eGFR was11.
A few weeks ago I started chasing the hospital and they gave me an appointment with another Neph. I told him how exhausted I was feeling & he prescribed Sodium Bicarbonate for a month. So I have Metabolic Acidosis.
My GP's have told me now (after I had finished the initial order) that they had issued more of these tablets. They asked that I contacted the Neph to find out if I needed them/how long etc.? Pharmacist did not have any in stock (again) and they wondered what the GP's are doing in asking me to find out about it.
Still waiting to hear from a consultant in the hospital and if the pills have arrived at the chemists - just been there, and they have not!
The notes said eating more fruit might help, but I eat a lot of fruit!
The Renal dietician could/would not help until I was referred to her by the GP! I told her I was under the Neph but to no avail, no help.
What fruit and how much should I eat? Any advice please.
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Hily
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Talk about leaving you in the lurch. I have Metabolic Acidosis as well. I take a solution of sodium citrate because I could not tolerate bicarb. I take it every day with iced hibiscus tea which is high in Vit C and iron (which is a plus). Lemon water is also a good choice for lowering high acid levels. You want to consume alkaline foods. Foods to be careful with are animal proteins. Fruits and vegetables are great, even the one you think would be acidic such as lemons and limes are actually alkaline. "Lemon juice in its natural state is acidic with a pH of about 2, but once metabolized it actually becomes alkaline with a pH well above 7. So, outside the body, anyone can see that lemon juice is very acidic. However, once fully digested, its effect is proven to be alkalizing with many health benefits." Broccoli is also good and is oatmeal. Trick is when you have to watch potassium as well.
I used to make the lemon water but it didn't do as much as I needed. That's when my neph prescribed the sodium bicarb tablets. I tried making baking soda in water and drinking that but that was terrible and maybe that's what you're referring to. Taking the bicarb tablets is fairly easy and they work great at bringing my pH up where it should be. They are round 650 mg white powder tablets. Broccoli is on my list of high potassium foods.
Yup, broccoli is. But I soak it for an hour in warm water and then boil it to cook. Sometimes, you have to eat the things you like. If I were to eliminate all the "bad" foods, either high potassium, phosphorous, sugar, salt and protein..... there is nothing left. lolol When I first started plant based, I was eating 7 foods and that got old real fast.
Just little ole me here. Can't comment since I'm not familiar with the subject other than to say that I truly hope your next nephrologist sees you more often. I think my hubby's neph was seeing him quarterly with numbers like yours.
You don't actually need the tablets. Good old baking soda in the box is what my Neph's both advised. Take a teaspoon in a large glass of water. My Dr said twice a day, but I can only tolerate it once a day. Why are your drs pushing pills when you can get the exact same thing in a powder a nd is much cheaper! Arm and Hammer baking soda, I've been using it for 2 years. With the powder, you can adjust your dosage, it will give you some gas, but you can expirament and determine your best time to take it. One Dr said after a meal, the other said on an empty stomach is fine also. Others say first thing in the a.m. when you wake up is best. That's when I take it. No trips to the drug store necessary, You can find it in the grocery store.
I will also confirm that plain old baking soda is the same, whenever I’ve ran out of the capsules for my dad I’ve used half a teaspoon of the baking soda at a time. However, I order a gentler one for him online that’s in the form of a capsule and less harsh on the tummy than the standard sodium bicarb tablets.
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