Posted , 4 users are following.
Hello there, my 67 year old sister has CKD and will have to go on dialysis at Easter. Are there any alternative medicines/complementary medicines/diets that could help improve kidney function and thereby avoid or at least postpone the requirement for dialysis?
Thank you.
0 likes, 20 replies
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matt66 virgil7
Posted
virgil7 matt66
Posted
Good luck!
helen54849 virgil7
Posted
To be really blunt if there were such medicinces we would all be taking them don't you think, and there would be no need for anyone to have dialysis or transplants. You also have to be careful what prescription or non prescription medications you take with kidney failure as it can speed up the loss of function. I was fine until I had about 12% function you wouldn't of even know to look at me, then at this point people who knew me could tell. I started dialysis at 9% and felt much better after 3 weeks. There is your magic medicince right there in the form of dialysis, I am greatful for this as 60 years ago nothing could of been done. So embrace the fact that your sister has the option of dialysis.
Take care x
virgil7 helen54849
Posted
I do 'take on board' what you say. I like the idea of a vegan diet though, but knowing my sister there is no-way she would stick to that regime (you can lead a horse to water etc.)
She is resigned to the idea of dialysis - she had the fistula done quite some time ago, so she knew it was 'on the cards' one day.
It's just me you see. I'm 62 and haven't visited a doctor in over 20 years as I like to look after myself, but of course I know that CKD is a whole different ball game.
Kind regards,
Ray.
helen54849 virgil7
Posted
I understand where you are coming from its your sister and you want to help her. Hopefully in the future they will be able to make kidney's for us with the 3D printer but I promise there are no majic cures. None of my posts have been deleted and anyone who claims to have had CKD Not accute reanl failure) stage 5 and been suddenly cured is not being truthful. I hope your sisters dialysis goes well, there is a good comunity of people that are willing to help each other and there are always people ready sensible advice (this does not include eating bicarb of soda from your kitchen cupboard!). let us know how your sister goes and shout if you need any support xx
virgil7 helen54849
Posted
I spoke to Sandra today and she's okay about starting dialysis.
I mentioned, um, 'alternatives' but she wasn't interested
She is under Kings College Hospital in London and received a letter from them saying she may be starting dialysis before Easter which was the original date for it.
I will let you know how things go.
Kind regards,
Ray.
virgil7
Posted
HGB 106.
Urea 39.4
Creatin 5224
Bicarb 17
Phos 1.90
AlkPhos 77
BP 130/80
Bicarb and Urea have risen since the the last test.
Ray.
helen54849 virgil7
Posted
Do you mean 524 for creatinine not 5224 as I don't think she would be here anymore if it was the later? the first one is quite high mine was around 480 when I started dialysis its about 300 now I am on it so its works. What is Sandra's GFR (kidyey function) at thge moment. The time dialysis starts differs from person to person, GFR and creatinine are some of the factors but how the person feels is also a consideration. The fact Sandra feels well is good and should she make a quick decline her fistula is iin place so she is good to go. She will be fine x
virgil7 helen54849
Posted
I'll have to double check on that creatinine figure
And, I did ask Sandra for the GFR actually.
I'll be back
Ray.
virgil7
Posted
The creatinine is 524 and the GFR was 9 on the 4th Feb but is 8 now.
Best regards,
Ray.
helen54849 virgil7
Posted
Sandras creatinie is quite high and GFR quite low, I have known people to have a GFR of 5% before dialysis starts. We are all different and as long as she feels well they will leave her for a bit. She is all preped and ready to go so try not to worry. Has she had any issues with her iron? we can't make enough so may need a little help. Do keep me updated on her and your journey people often over look family and how they feel about the situation, mind you people used to say to me "god you wouldn't think you were that ill you look ok to me"!. If you need to chat let me know x
virgil7 helen54849
Posted
Thank you for your reply. I do believe Sandra did indeed have some meds for her anemia at one time.
All this couldn't have come at a worse time really as she is due to exchange contracts on her 1 bed flat in East Dulwich, London, and move to somewhere near Taunton in Somerset.
Presumably they know what they are doing down there
All the best to you,
Ray.
helen54849 virgil7
Posted
Could Sandra pop into the unit she is going to use before hand and have a look round so its less daunting for her when she does start dialysis? How lovely to live by the sea, once she has got through the stress of moving oh and there will be that one box that never seems to be unpacked lol. The care does differ from place to place and I believe it makes a difference if it is a private unit (some are) I visited our renal unit and it looked ok but haemo wasn't for me, she will be fine I am sure x
virgil7 helen54849
Posted
I do believe Sandra is going to have home dialysis, is that common?
She wont be living by the sea though, mores the pity. She has the tiniest 1 bedroom flat in East Dulwich, London, which she has owned for 28 years!
Like a lot of home owners in the SE of England, she is selling up for barrow loads of the green folding stuff, and moving to the countryside.
I don't think it's really a good idea tbh, because she knows loads of people in London, our other (88 year old) sister lives in Lewisham, and she is part of the furniture at Kings College Hospital.
It will also be a big upheaval for her of course and, I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear she has called the whole thing off
Kind regards,
Ray.
helen54849 virgil7
Posted
My geography is pants I thought taunton was by the sea! never mind I live on the side of a mountain its nice and I sleep sound in the knowledge I will never have to worry about being flooded. I do dialysis at home just not the type with the fistula, she will need to go to the unti for a period of time first, I doubt she will be able to do haemo from home straight away, its very strict the diet and fluid allowance, they won't allow that typw to be done at home until all is well in the unit wouldn't imagine. I do peritoneal dialysis (PD) I do this overnight while I am asleep so it doesn't interfere with my day as I still work and still have everyone to help look after. I have a special tube in my stomach (catheter) that was put in under general then I had two weeks healing, a weeks training and off to go at home. You don't realise how bad you have got as at each point you adapt and get used to the lowered function. Your Sandra sounds like a feisty one taking on dialysis and a big life changing move. She will make friends, will you be far away from her? Is that what is worrying you?
virgil7 helen54849
Posted
Your PD sounds like the right idea to me but presumably it's not for everyone.
Taunton is in Somerset, and the county does suffer from the most horrendous flooding, but it's confined to the Somerset Levels, away from Taunton. She is married btw, but David has his own health problems with his back which he broke a few years ago doing something stupid in the kitchen! His spinal cord wasn't affected, thankfully. And ... there's more - David's mother is in her 90's and is in a care home in London, makes you wonder if they've thought this one out, doesn't it.
I live about 3 hours away from Taunton, in Cornwall. Sandra does have some friends in Somerset whom she has known for some years, it's just that, in my mind, moving from the fast-pace of London at age 67 to some Westcountry backwater, could possibly turn out to be a no no. You're right about her being feisty though, a typical Gemini
Ray.