Supplements and Kidney Disease

My nephrologist of a couple of years ago advised me to stay away from herbal supplements. I have been seeing an acupuncture PhD immunologist weekly for nearly a year, and she still has not offered me herbal treatment with the acupuncture. I can only surmise that herbal supplements at Stage 3 or later can be dangerous for CKD. Having talked with my Mayo dietitian, she said the Mayo Mediterranean diet is an excellent choice for CKD patients. I mentioned this before, and it may be worth repeating, that if you are seen by a Mayo nephrologist, he/she can give your husband a referral to talk directly with an advocate from the Rochester branch as part of their education program about his stage and all the CKD information available including several pamphlets. Lastly, too much protein is not a reasonable solution for Stage 4. All stages of kidney disease, in my opinion, require a team approach with a PCP, a nephrologist, dietitian, and others like an acupuncturist and/or endocrinologist. It is a time to be proactive as you have suggested with labs done at least every 3 months if possible.

Dear Sarah - I wish that I could invite you to come and talk to my husband who has a shopping bag full of supplements. They arrive via Amazon and he doesn’t tell me or more importantly, our doctor. He was driving me absolutely nuts to the point that I sought out counseling. We’ve discussed whether my nagging would change anything and it won’t. So a suggestion was made that I make sure he takes his prescribed pills and just let go of trying to stay on top of all of the supplements. Of course I still do it to some extent but letting me know that I could do so much was very freeing. Same with all of my cnagging about diet/salt/sugar. The Christmas stollens via Amazon are rolling in. Take care if yourself!

So true!!! Thatt was a great comment, BTW. Thank you for sharing.

Sometimes the person who is terminally ill are going through and grasping at anything to save their life. Their emotions are sad, happy, lonely, fearful and sometimes denial and they question why.

I know it is hard on the spouse neither can understand what the other is going through unless they have been in the others shoes.

I am sorry and empathize...

It is hard to reach out for answers and find few strives have been made in the kidney failure. Most dont know until late they have kidney impairment, which is devistating for all.

The labs are constantly changing and most likely he is doing all he can with negative effect.

There are online support groups where he and or you can connect with others. No man is an island, you are not alone.

No woman is an island either -and I’m thankful to have found support in this group.:-)