Chronic kidney disease (CKD) support: Introduce yourself and connect

@hatetocook Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! What an ordeal you have been through!

If you place "renal meal plans delivered" into Google, you will find there are several sources that could possibly help you. And yes, many of us need to consider other health conditions as we come up with what will work for us. It's all a balancing act!
Ginger

@gingerw
Thank you! I'll check it out. I also wonder if there are any books or sources you recommend--aside from this site--for good information about kidney disease. If it turns out that if the three biggest issues are: hydration, diet, and exercise, is there a practical book or source that focuses on these issues? Finally, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to deal with my doctors, who don't understand how difficult it is to oversee all these issues, and change my lifestyle at 76. I just wonder how people deal with the emotional side of this. I don't expect my PCP to care, but I am stunned that there is a limit to how many times I can meet with a nutritionist. And, I wonder if people know if original Medicare pays for acupuncture or other outside-of-the box ways of dealing with the stress that chronic illness causes. When I was hospitalized, five or six doctors ordered 60 tests in 8 days. But, no one spent any time talking with me about what was happening.

I simpathize with your experiences. That was traumatic! Losing the weight used a lot of self control. You understand the basics of good diet and you don't have to cook These foods are available at your Cub food or Walmart. My only suggestion is to exercise. Sorry, I know that is cliche. However, it is true. Go to your YMCA and get into it.

@hatetocook When we start to look at ways to advocate for ourselves, it can be likened to a firehouse of information, definitely!

rsnhope.org is a great site that has a lot of information for you.
Also, go to the National Kidney Foundation site, or Fresenius Medical Care, Cleveland Clinic, and Mayo Clinic sites. While you might read some contradictory information, looking at it and deciding what will benefit you in your own case is really worth it!

It's not always easy to change decades of habits. And don't try to do it in one week. Small steps are best. Please be gentle on yourself!
Ginger

@gingerw
Thank you! I'll check it out. I also wonder if there are any books or sources you recommend--aside from this site--for good information about kidney disease. If it turns out that if the three biggest issues are: hydration, diet, and exercise, is there a practical book or source that focuses on these issues? Finally, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to deal with my doctors, who don't understand how difficult it is to oversee all these issues, and change my lifestyle at 76. I just wonder how people deal with the emotional side of this. I don't expect my PCP to care, but I am stunned that there is a limit to how many times I can meet with a nutritionist. And, I wonder if people know if original Medicare pays for acupuncture or other outside-of-the box ways of dealing with the stress that chronic illness causes. When I was hospitalized, five or six doctors ordered 60 tests in 8 days. But, no one spent any time talking with me about what was happening.

@gingerwgingerw
Thanks Ginger, I genuinely appreciate the information and will pursue it. After spending a number of hours on this site, I took some days off. I realized that I need to balance my time better because everything was making me feel too anxious. And I still haven't regained my strength back from my last hospitalization, in which I lost 10 pounds in eight days, and can't gain it back.

@hatetocook I'm 63 with stage 3 CKD. I agree with you. You can feel like a guinea pig with all the test they do with no real feedback. Been to a nutritionist also but not easy to change old habits.

@ladybugg
Thanks ladybug! I would like to know how you are handling all of this. I wonder if your nutritionist provided tips on how you can adjust to a different diet, or explained that this is a common problem. Do you feel like if you have a plan for moving forward? I'm asking because I don't, and am trying to find a way to deal with it.

@hatetocook Sadly I'm really not handling it. I do my own research at times to come up with meal ideas but, like I said it's not easy to change old habits or teach an old dog like me new ones 😊 I remember some things and have the handouts. I may make another nutritionist appt because it's been at least a year since I saw one. It's alot to absorb in one visit. It would be easier if I was rich and could hire a cook.

@ladybugg I've received no guidance from my doctors on diet. Trying to figure it out on my own. Eating more fruit and veggies, but hungry a lot. Feel like I need protein to fill up