I think I’m just shopping for a yes, but need to know. Went plant based in 1/1/24. I’m ckd3b. I have bad osteoporosis but not crippling. A casualty of lithium. You do what you think is right and I was warned all along that it could damage my kidneys. It just showed signs in the past few years. I’ve been off lithium for 8 years. . The osteoporosis has been five years or so. Just a few tiny fractures here and there. I’m ok though. Love my new nephrologist and my daughter in law is a natural dr. I’m on whole plant per her advice. Nephrologist approved. Lost 14 pounds and my sugar dropped from 142 in Dec to 91. I’m on the right track and I’m not upset loosing meat, chicken, fish, etc. . My question is for the old timers. Do you eat eggs. I’m not an egg freak but I was just wondering cuz I do enjoy a scrambled egg once a week or so. I figured this was a good place to ask. My protein looks normal. So happy to have this forum. Thanks for your time.
EGGS, I think I’m shopping for an answer - Kidney Disease
EGGS, I think I’m shopping for an answer
Great that you have found your happy place. Sounds like something that will be sustainable and also enjoyable which is important. For what it’s worth I’m plant based (mainly) but also have poached eggs at the weekend and salmon a couple of times a week. Now and then I have a dollop of plain Greek yoghurt too on top of a spicy vegetable curry. Yum. Works for me
My daughter in law, the natural Dr, approves of eggs and she's very knowledgeable but after my CKD being caused by lithium I think it’s better to ask questions thanks for the reply.
So my nephrologist is happy with what I’m doing. I think sometimes we have to follow our gut. She also thinks lean chicken is fine in small amounts but I’m happier avoiding it. You probably really needed the lithium at the time. It really is the gold standard. I think that people are just left on it for too long after they have stabilised and are in a good place. I’m sure you beat yourself up about it all the time thinking that you should have asked more questions and also that they should have given you more detailed information. The thing is that all of that is in the past. Best to look ahead. I’m still a bit annoyed that I had to figure out myself that I was CKD3 but now I try to look at it that I’m glad I found out now rather than at CKD4
Eggs are very good kidney food. If you want to be even better, egg whites are fabulous. They make great omelets and sandwiches and you do not miss the yoke. I use egg whites a lot for breakfast. I am trying to limit phosphorous and the content of an whole egg is 95, but drops to 5 with egg whites only. You still get some protein but not as much.
good to know. I don’t eat them everyday but now and then. I’ll ad on an extra white. Thanks
I just want to commend you for also coordinating your diet not only with your talented daughter-in-law but also with your nephrologist. Some don't and that can have consequences. We are so much more than a set of kidneys. It's good to keep the whole body in mind.
hi what exactly does a natural dr treat? Do they have medical training the same as other doctors? I have not heard of that sort of doctor before.
My daughter in law went to four years undergraduate at the University of SC Then another 4 at The National University of Natural Medicine in Portland Or. my sons best friend is now an MD, a back surgeon in Philly. The first two years of their schooling was pretty similar. Anatomy, Chemistry. Science based. Her last two years were totally different. It’s not that she doesn’t believe in traditional medicine per se. It’s just she believes pills and surgery are not always the best option. Right now she works in an Alzheimer’s clinic run by MDs. But research is now showing how other types of natural medicines can wonders on people with Alzheimer’s. She will be helping those folks with practices other than just pills. I’m so proud of her. Everyone told her she was nuts to be a natural dr and not go for the MD. She’s become a guiding light. I do love my nephrologist but went through 2 before I found him.
I too commend you for your self advocacy. The words kidney disease can be frightening when first heard, but bear in mind that the goal is through diet, medication and exercise is to stop it's progression.
I have osteoporosis and a kidney disorder; have been plant based for years. Bear in mind that each person is different with different needs.
My GP, Nephrologist and Osteo-Endocrinologist are pleased with the food choices that I've made. I also am very mindful of my sodium intake; 1500-2000mg per day and avoid dark colas and NASID pain relievers.
Additionally, I take calcium, magnesium citrate liquid +D3 for bone health and digestion.
I agree with Bassetmommer, egg whites are a great source of protein. Many who are plant based enjoy them as an omlet filled with vegetables and even a tad of a low sodium cheese.
Don't look back, look forward to what you can do and with the help of your lovely daughter-in-law, create a new lifestyle.
With good thoughts and support.
Bet
Oh wow. You’ve made my day. Being a bipolar is crappy but it’s a gorilla I know. This is all new but I’m lucky to have Amy. Baby steps I keep telling myself. I’m on my third nephrologist and he immediately said it was lithium which I knew all along. Frankly I was hoping it was from a kidney infection and not poison. My nephrologist did a magnesium test and said I was fine. He’s hooking me up with an endocrinologist who specializes in ckd3, 4, 5 with at least two osteoporosis breaks, I’ve had three and usually diabetes which I don’t have but she will still see me. Again baby steps. Thanks for the info and encouragement.
Genlady,
I'm so glad that I made your day! My pleasure to stand behind you!
Bear in mind, this is all a process, which takes time to organize the pieces and move forward with a new lifestyle. It will all come together, I promise! Most importantly the CKD has been identified and with an excellent nephrologist and good diet, you will accomplish the ultimate goal; to stop it's progression.
You are definitely headed in the right direction. Stay positive even with the gorilla.
Please reach out at any time; you are never alone and among friends here.
Bet
It won't hurt you. I eat 4 ti eggs weekly. Eat the egg and enjoy it. It will not affect blood cholesterol either .
If you don't mind me asking, how did you get off of lithium and what if anything did you replace it with? I've been on lithium for about 20 years and I don't know much about any other medications at this point, except that depakote and lamictal never worked for me. It has taken me a few years to cut from 1350 to 900 mg. About to cut down another quarter pill (112.5mg) which usually takes me about 3 months (anything more than a mg or two deficit a day and my brain does not react well). My pdoc has offered many alternatives when the time comes but they're basically all blind suggestions. I'm more concerned with guarding against mania than depression (although both are a factor). Basically just trying to figure out which meds are most suitable as a mood stabilizer and kidney healthy. Any help or insight would be appreciated, thanks!
Honestly. Menopause was a game changer. Still have mania but my psychosis is gone. Noticed it when I started menopause. I’ve been on depakote made my hair fall out. I’ve been on pretty much everything. Two visits to the mental hospital over the years. Now I don’t take anything anymore. When I get manic I take a few puffs of weeds. I avoid booze and try and follow a clean diet. I have tradive Dyskinesia It’s terrible and I don’t have it 24/7 but I hate it. I’m 64. My kids are raised and successful and happy. I’ve been married for 40 years. He gets it. All my friends know. I’m just done swallowing drugs. Stick a fork in me
This is just my personal journey. I’d never assume to suggest what I do is what you do. The lithium poisoning just showed up 3 years ago. I’ve been off it about ten although my labs didn’t show anything the entire time I took it. . My dr. took me off because she thought I’d been on it too long. Last med I took was abilify You can goggle the court case against them. It’s a pickle. I wish I had sage advice but we are kinda Guinea pigs. The best thing I ever did was therapy. 7 years. Helped me learn how to help myself by establishing boundaries and my environment. Good luck🌼
Thank you for replying. I had two horrific manic/psychotic episodes when I was 19 and 20. The second one was much worse, and it was also a mixed episode. I was very lucky to survive it. I had to be hospitalized once the first time and twice for the second break. I committed my life towards never experiencing that again, and I haven't since, so I guess its been 23 years of "stability", if thats what its called. But aside from basically lifestyle modifications and unwavering vigilance for my sleep which is essentially the axis of the disorder for me as I've always been a severe insomniac, it came with taking lithium, which I was fine with. It's truly been a miracle drug for me, at least in terms of my psychological state. Obviously not so swell for the kidneys.
After 8 years in ckd3a my then pdoc finally decided to let me know about it, and of course went into hysterics about how I needed to immediately get off of lithium. Boy do I love a reactionary histrionic doctor when it comes to such mundane topics as my imminent survival, that's just what I need lol. So I threw that doctor in the garbage can where most of them belong and went back to an old pdoc who I at least knew to be stable and dependable. blah blah.
My plan is pretty simple, I'm going to keep with my regimen of slowly decreasing the lithium until......I guess until I start to have an episode, don't know what else I can do until then. I would very much prefer to stay off meds entirely but knowing my brain I doubt that will be an option. But I do know I have to get off of the lithium. I've been plant based for a year now with my diet, eating extremely clean, I reduced my sodium intake to nearly non-existent to accommodate the lithium for the time being. I just saw your comment and had to reply. I've been so on my own with this, I don't even bother talking about it anymore because besides my wife there is absolutely nobody I know who can relate to my life and why I have to live the way I do, and it has always perturbed me that I should have to explain myself to anyone regarding my health.
I have never seen a therapist, didn't much need to when I was younger and had a healthy social life and people I could be open about my illness with but I don't have that anymore and I suppose it could do some good to talk to someone, although I have done well enough to just accept my situation for what it is and pour whatever feelings I have into my art, music, gardening and travel. I'm doing everything I can to learn more about ckd, there's so much conflicting or incomplete information it seems, and I still have a ton to learn. Just trying to save my kidneys while they're still in relatively decent shape without sacrificing my mind. I can't live without my kidneys but I'm not sure I want to live without a functioning brain. Seems like an impossible task to balance the two but I'm bred pretty well to fight at this point. I'm really just terrified to have another manic episode like the last one. Thanks again for listening, I appreciate it 
There are five bipolars in my family. We are all a bit different. I just try and live each day. Bipolar is a gorilla I know. Kidney disease is a new ball game. Guess I’m always learning.
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