suggestions needed

[jan1317]

Hi, i donated my left kidney to my husband in January 2017. I've started to gain weight excessively, feel bloated and feels like no energy is left in my body and i feel a lot of pain around my Lumbar-sacral joint,please suggest what should i do?

[LivingDonor2003 NKF Ambassador NKF Peer Mentor]

Have you been doing annual follow ups with your primary care physician? That is where I would start. If you blood work/lab panels are out of sync you could be referred to a nephrologist. You could also check with the center that you donated at to see if they cover anything past 2 years but I would guess not.

It may be something non-kidney related that needs to be addressed. Good luck

[jan1317 in reply to LivingDonor2003]

All this is happening only after i have donated my kidney. .I always have all this negative thoughts in my mind . . .but when i consult they say its normal

[EchoMax1012 in reply to jan1317]

First of all, I'm sorry that you're experiencing those symptoms, after doing such a generous act. Second, I have felt that I need to actually increase my health habits now, since I only have one kidney--self care is so important. I think for me, the main thrusts are healthy (whole-food, plant based) diet--though I know that is not everyone's cup of tea; exercise; good sleep; stress-management; and good friends/community. Third, there may be a psychological component to this, and it may be helpful to talk about 'all of the negative thoughts' with a counselor or a therapist who works with the transplant team. I hope things get better, but it is a well-known statistic, unfortunately, that there is an increase in depression symptoms after this type of surgery. Keep us informed!

[jan1317 in reply to EchoMax1012]

Hi, here in my country things are a little different. There are no forum or groups that keep the donors intouch with each other. . .many those who have donated have no idea ; infact its like give and take and then no one cares what happens to the donor ; who has donated due to circumstances or out of love

[vegiedonor]

By all means start with your PCP. As for other suggestions I noticed that at our annual donor holiday get together the sponsoring transplant organization was giving out cookbooks and fitbit like devices because a number of our donors are overweight. What makes me angry about the whole donation process is that, for the most part, we are not given the information as how to go forward with the BEST nutritional advice and lifestyle. Ask your PCP about nutrition and more importantly what their nutritional training is. Go from there. Also be aware that some foods are totally harmful to us donors.

[jan1317 in reply to vegiedonor]

Thank you so much, So true we aren't informed with much as how to go forward with the BEST nutritional advice and lifestyle.

[LivingDonor2003 NKF Ambassador NKF Peer Mentor in reply to vegiedonor]

What foods were you told are harmful? Other then staying away from too much protein I was not given any restrictions.

[jan1317 in reply to LivingDonor2003]

I didnt know anything about the restriction and limitation of food

[vegiedonor in reply to LivingDonor2003]

The foods you should have been warned about are salt, starfruit, betel nuts, and animal proteins especially fish. The betel nuts and starfruit are exceptional dangerous. The animal proteins (this includes dairy) cause kidney hyper filtration and put the body into body acidosis which isn't a problem if it happens now and then but meal after meal day after day your asking for a problem. There is a great 6 minute video on kidney health done by a doctor which gives all the details and accompanying scientific literature which I can post if that's okay with the administrator.

[jan1317 in reply to vegiedonor]

It would be of much help if you could post it. . . .i had no idea about dairy and fish; it's something that i consume the most.

[vegiedonor in reply to jan1317]

Good Morning. How's your husband doing? I looked at the guidelines and don't see a problem posting the link here.

nutritionfacts.org/video/fl...

[KarenHope in reply to vegiedonor]

WHAT foods?? Please. Surgery is to be in a month, hopefully.

[vegiedonor in reply to KarenHope]

Hi, I did a reply to LivingDonor2003 about 5 months ago on the food topic. If you don't find it anywhere I can resend it.

[Abram1]

I donated eight years ago and am in agreement with the comments.

I also became vegetarian after donating and am careful about avoiding excessive protein.

It is really important to see your doctor, especially to make sure that your blood pressure is within acceptable levels. Kidneys play a role in regulating blood pressure and are vulnerable to high blood pressure. Weight gain and diet cause harmful spikes in blood pressure

It is important that you take time for yourself. You should spend as much time as possible walking which should reverse your weight gain and reduce your blood pressure.

I wish you and your husband long and fulfillng lives.

[jan1317]

Thank you so much. .. My walking is just steady as for now. i'm having a lot of back pain which is similar as in sciatica pain. . . Did you ever have any kind of problem or pain back then.