Potassium and kidney disease

Thus shows that going to extremes with diet doesn’t go so well with #s…useful post, thanks.

Yes, the information can be confusing as we strive to eat for our kidneys health. I love sweet potatoes, avocados and bananas but I don't eat them all the time. I'll have a craving for sweet potatoes, buy a few, eat them over 2-3 weeks then I won't eat them again for a few months, same with avocados, bananas. Those minerals, potassium, phosphorus, sodium are still important and necessary for our bodies to function properly. I've had to read and research a lot, based on my stage 3 ckd, my Drs advise and my lab numbers. My recent labs show I'm within range. My nephrologist told me to eat the Mediterranean diet. Strive for a balance, moderation in foods and variety. Good Luck!

@gingerw Hi Ginger...This is very reassuring for and I feel less alone in this CKD stage 3 b journey...I find it sometimes very discouraging when friends want me to eat something I know is wrong for me...so now I try to be brave and say I already ate..not hungry(if if I am) I take a water or coffee or 1/2 a grapefruit to join in.... here's a tip for drinking at a party, I always have water with ice and twist to which I add a TBSP of red wine.....turns everything pink and evreyone is happy and thinks I'm drinking. Thank you for your wise words

@fromthehill We learn how to navigate what different situations offer us, definitely. Some of us can have "just a little bit" of a forbidden item, then go right back to our plan. And, some of us cannot. Also, never pass up the chance to educate others about kidney disease, enlist them in your fight!

Thank you for that tip about adding a TBSP of red wine to a water!
Ginger

Recently, my nephrologist changed medications for me. I am now on two different diuretics. One of them , spironalactone, is potassium-sparing. So, my prescription potassium supplements were stopped. Over the course of time, I was on Potassium 20meq once a day, then up to three times a day, back to one a day with dietary potassium restrictions removed, now no supplement. It will be interesting to see what my bloodwork comes back showing in July!

Keeping track of all our values is so important, and can change dramatically over time. We kidney warriors have quite the job to keep our systems balanced.
Ginger

How is it that a person can be vibrant, healthy, working well, most test #s very good (except 2 or 3), no diabetes or high blood pressure, or symptoms of any kind —and still be having CKD ? There is some concern that removing so many things from diet will possibly change other health test results the wrong way ….will meet doc soon to sort this out…could it be that some people have a few ‘’off’’ #s as their usual, not causing problems….meanwhile, hydrating and making a few key dietary changes… could be that stressful things in life are affecting #s ??

@nycmusic It's a balancing act! So many things can affect our bodies. From what we are eating, our stress levels, exercise, hydration, even slight changes in medications. Sometimes something as simple as the combination of medications we take [time of day/what we take at the same time]. What may have been "okay" before is no longer.

Our bodies are certainly a complex machine!
Ginger

Thanks again…I have heard that organic pomengranate extract can help kidneys. It is used in other countries. What do you know ?