Discussion Board

Glad you got a doctor who will study your case. That means you're more than a number or just another client. Yeah for the doc!

That is just all such great news.
My doctor's say the same thing. Plant based diet is good for me and to keep doing what I am doing.
My numbers also have improved and I hope to avoid dialysis.
One thing is for sure: Eating whole plants is not going to hurt but meat and dairy will.

bettina

So happy for you and so nice to have a positive Dr. who wants to work with you instead of scare you.

I've only recently been learning a little about kidney disease, and my goodness, how difficult it must be to have this challenge in one's life!

It seems pretty clear that animal protein is just very bad for people with kidney problems, but I rarely hear anything warning against it among low carbers. I wonder how many of those people are damaging their kidneys without even knowing it?

Pacificfords, you are doing a great job. You are inspiring so many people. Keep up the good work!:)

I think of this often. I had no idea what was happening inside my body. I am sure many others don't as well. The challenge of this disease, that I live with, is that it really isn't reversible like many other things. I can't help but think "if only I knew then, what I know now."

Still, being healthy has its benefits with this disease. I am positive that, had I followed the renal diet, I would be on dialysis by now.

Wow, I just read a little free book from Kindle that was an information and cookbook combined. When you get to dialyis she said you have to eat a lot of protein from meat a few times a day. She says you can't get enough protein otherwise. Can you tell us what a typical day is for you? Wondering because I have a kidney that bothers me at times because of a kink. I was shown on an x-ray when I was in my early 20's. The whole thing is pretty scarey. I do eat a lot of beans, sweet potatoes and regular potatoes.

I was given the same advice. I was supposed to eat meat and cheese. I do not. I just follow McDougall. I am not on dialysis and I really don't live my life like a sick person. I have maintained this disease for over a year, sometimes eating a gluten free SAD diet (because I was also confused about all of the information out there for kidney patients). I decided that if I could maintain on a moderation of the SAD diet, then I would be even healthier eating a plant based diet. I feel fantastic and in spite of being in stage 5 failure for almost a year and a half... I am still not on dialysis or on any medications (except a low does blood pressure pill.) Everyone is different when it comes to kidney function and issues, but I am finding that we aren't very different when it comes to healing. One of the most important things I have found is that avoiding dairy also helps you avoid having to bind phosphorus.

As for specifics of what I eat. I do not eat huge quantities of beans but I do eat them often. I try to avoid high protein. However, I don't really count my protein either. I just eat and enjoy. I eat salads with fat free balsamic vinegar or seasoned beans (usually not more than about a half cup cooked per day) and salsa. I eat lots and lots of rice. I eat potatoes, but I try to do that every three days or so because of the high potassium. I eat lots of different vegetables and I don't really pay attention to high or low potassium, but I do not eat large amounts. I try to limit to a cup or two at lunch and dinner. I limit tomatoes and tomato sauces, but I do enjoy them every couple days. I limit my fruit to a couple of choices per day and rarely eat bananas, but once in a while I will have one. I also do not eat any lentils because I just don't like them and they are high in protein. I was eating oil in things like hummus and corn chips and I was eating organic dark chocolate....but I have stopped that. Now no oil whatsoever.

I would research more if I were you. Get as much information from this site as you can... and from other sources recommended here. That is what really helped me. I really have not been a meat eater for several months, but I had a hard time letting go of cheese. I have been completely dairy free for over a month and I feel so much better.

If I have to go on dialysis I will have to research when I get to that point, but I can guarantee you I won't be eating meat and dairy. Never again. I am just not researching that road until I actually have to travel it. Best wishes to you.

Very interesting. Thank you Debi for sharing. You eat very much the same way I do. I have not been eating meat, dairy or oil (except when I am out and can't avoid oil) for about 4 years now. When I had my kidney problem I had to have major surgery and they cleaned out my kidney. He told me I would have to have it cleaned out every year. Thank goodness he was wrong. That was 40 years ago. I still get pain in that kidney so get a little nervous about it every now and then. Thank you for the information and your experience because it gives me more to consider. I try to avoid gluten as well since it causes me to be congested. I thought it would be impossible to eat without cheese since it is in just about every recipe but really don't miss it at all. I do find that without any fatty foods I want higher fat foods at times like nuts and tahini but have pretty good self control. Luckily, nuts cause pain in my kidney so I don't indulge.

Debi:

Thanks for all you have shared with us here. I am reading this tonight carefully as a family member is on the brink of having to go on dialysis.

She is the oldest living member of my Mother's generation - and I believe she attributes this longevity to her education and long-time practice as a pharmacist. When I read the posts on how the docs and others don't even consider that lowering your readings can be done through food intervention and not medical intervention, I realize that there wouldn't be a chance of me trying to tell this beloved family member that there was a way to potentially avoid this. Makes me pretty sad for her.

On the bright side I sure hope your test results showed a continued improvement and again thanks for giving us great insight into your disease and progress with it.

Best to you -- Michelle

noelalexis2000~ I have not heard of such a procedure where they can surgically clean out kidneys. I am glad you have figured out what diet works for you.


Michelle ~ I tend not to believe much of what the doctor's say anymore. I am still believing that I can heal my body, including my kidneys. I have seen accounts of people that have defied the odds and I plan to be one of those. I looked at things very logically and decided that I needed to help my kidneys and get toxins out of my life. The less my body has to deal with, the better I will feel and the longer I will be able to stay away from dialysis. That is my plan at this point. I am attacking toxins from a "whole like" approach, not just food (although food is the most important to me). I am also blogging about it. My blog link is in my signature. I am doing and 365 day challenge to rid my life of a toxin each day. The research has been fun and it can't help but be good for my body!

Because my kidney has a kink in it the kidney was stopping up and causing me pain. They took me up for surgery and put me out. This is when I was about twenty three. that is the only time I had that done. This was after two years of on and off infections and the over prescribed antibiotics that never got rid of the infection that backed up into my kidneys. This did seem to work but I went on a big health kick after that but unfortunately did not know about the McDougall diet. The Doctor at the time told me I would have to do this about once a year. Thank goodness he was wrong!

I was excited to come and share some really great news! I got my labs back yesterday and after committing to being plant strong in November with no exceptions... after a year of maintaining and my blood work barely changing - I had a HUGE improvement.

This has been a pretty incredible experience. My creatinine has been maintaining at about 3.5 for over a year now. Yesterday it was 2.6. My doctors said it would never improve. As always, I don't know if they will be excited about the improvement or not. It has never taken quite this big of a jump, so I am unsure. Regardless of what they say, as always, I will continue on with my positive attitude.

Excellent, positive news. I wish you continued progress both in numbers and the way you feel. It's got to be pretty good at the moment!
f1jim

Awesome! I'm so happy for you. Your effors are paying off in the best way possible!

That is such wonderful news and I'm so very happy for you. Dr's are often wrong just like anyone else.