Help with constipation and CKD: Anything I can safely take?

@csage1010 If you do not have a good fiber diet, this might help you. Also, perhaps using over the counter products like Metamucil or Miralax may be of benefit. Anytime we change our diets we are prone to digestive upsets as our body gets used to new products going through. Taking it in steps so you don't get additional constipation or upset digestive tract may be needed. I know that is how I have to approach any big changes in food choices. Will you give that a try?

If you have addressed your chronic constipation with your doctor, what tips might they have for you?
Ginger

Is Miralax safe for me at Stage 3?

I found this website that you might find very informative. Not associated with them, nor a customer, etc. but there is some decent stuff here.
https://www.lhsc.on.ca/regional-renal-program/over-the-counter-medications-and-chronic-kidney-disease
To be sure, ask your doctor.
Ginger

If you can take bananas it would be the easiest fruit with fibres to ease your problem. Also lots of water and best a glass of warm water before you hit the toilet in the morning.
Wish you all the best.

@howyouknow This is a simple and straightforward "fix" for most people. However, with kidney disease, we need to watch our potassium levels. Bananas have a lot of potassium! And, they are one fruit I really miss a lot, along with oranges.
Ginger

I contacted my PCP today and am waiting to hear back about the safety of taking a laxative in the short term, and then starting Miralax on a daily basis. Waiting to hear back from them. I run low on K+ so right now high K+ fruits and vegetables are not a concern. I drink quite a bit of water. One of my problems is inactivity. I have severe fear of getting COVID, despite being vaccinated. I have become very deconditioned and although I am am Physical therapy, it's very slow going. Thank you for the good suggestions.

Part of the problem.Only large medical centers like Mayo work with specialized nutritionists. Result: You're on your own. Someone should be designing a diet that meets your needs. However, it seems that nephrologists in smaller communities neglect this aspect of CKD. I know. I have the same problem. Proper nutrition is essential and few doctors seem to pay attention to this fact. CKD sufferers need to know what they can and cannot eat and how to keep all their organs in the best shape possible so the disease does not progress. Care of the kidneys remains a mystery to me. Nutrition in local hospitals is definitely overlooked.. You can sign on to Amazon and find a selection of books. But then, who knows if what you're doing is really the right thing. Also, with CKD, be sure to ask your doctor each time another doctor prescribes a new medicine and review your old list. Many meds can harm the kidneys. Hope you stay stable.

@petuniamom567 You're right about having to navigate our own way through the maze of dietary issues with kidney disease! This is why I have found Mayo Clinic Connect to be so valuable, as we share the things tht worked for us as individuals. It is important [for me, anyway!] to know there is a community of people willing to share their experiences. It helps me to know what others have found was beneficial and what just didn't work. When we live in outlying areas, and do not have access to top-notch facilities, coming here helps fill that gap, to hear from others. In the end, we each make our own decisions as to what will work best for us in our situation, and it helps to hear others' ideas.
Ginger

Hi I have heard of people taking figs ( it's a fruit with plenty of edible seeds) , just take one (large) and two (small ) fresh ones.

During season the figs are sun dried and is available at stores in transparent plastic bags.

I take two tablespoons of ground flax seed meal everyday and it seems to do the trick.