Metabolic Acidosis

[Hily]

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.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

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.

[Hidden in reply to Bassetmommer]

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.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

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.

[Darlenia]

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.

[Ziggydoodah in reply to Darlenia]

I agree Darlenia. When my GFR was at 11, I had to see my consultant every month.

[chicablue]

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.

[Hily in reply to chicablue]

We don't pay for medicines in this country over a certain age or if you have certain illnesses.

Is a spoonful the equivalent of 3 capsules daily?

[Marbella17 in reply to chicablue]

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.

[chicablue in reply to Marbella17]

Oh good, can you give me the name of the gentler one?

[Marbella17 in reply to chicablue]

Absolutely, I’ll send you the one I buy.

[chicablue in reply to Marbella17]

I couldnt find your response?

[Marbella17 in reply to chicablue]

I’m glad you received it now and hope it works out great!

[chicablue]

A teaspoon was what my Dr suggested. I have no idea how much is in a capsule. I use slightly less.

[nonna70]

Baking soda is the same but give me tablets or capsules any day!

[tashagirl]

I had terrible shortness of breath. not COPD. Stage 4 CKD! I could not stand the taste of the sodium bicarbonate. Therefore, My kidney doctor suggested that I take baking soda., 1/4 teaspoon disolved in 2 oz water, 2- 4 times a day. Have been taking it twice a day for four months, and my shortness of breath has DISAPPEARED, and that happened within a day or two . For what it is worth you may want to ask your Dr about it! Also, very inexpensive compared to the prescription bicarbonate liquid that I could not keep down.

[Hily]

My medicine is in capsule form so no taste but as I have no large bowel they shoot through. I take 3 capsules a day but I do not know how much of that I actually absorb. Could be none! Doesn't matter how many times I tell them, they ignore me but I think it is getting through- over a year later. Makes me very cross as I get abused for being awkward when all I am saying is give me tablets not capsules.