Help I have a potassium phobia!

Hi Natalie,

I know exactly where you are coming from. but I believe you need to take a deep breath, relax and see the half full of the cup. I'm not a doctor but based on your GFR I believe you need not to worry much about it at this stage. however, you need to take precautions and adjust your diet to eat healthy and maintain your kidney function for as long as possible. I'm myself a kidney patient 31 years old female. I have other rare autoimmune diseases. my GFR is now 54 it was 70 5 years ago. but I haven't realised i have the disease until 2years ago. I eat healthy and everything. I don't follow a specific diet. reason is that I had a rare type of CKD which resulted in a very low potassium levels on the contrary of other patients who need to reduce potassium intake.

so everyone's different. you need to take things easy do not panic at all you have good kidney functioning so far and keep monitoring your blood pressure, diabetes and other nutrients in your body. you defo need to pay a dietitian a visit to follow a diet that's suitable for your condition and type of CKD.

finger crossed for you . hope I was any help to your concerns😊

Hi Natalie, I am not medically qualified so this is just my opinion and personal experience. Firstly a Gfr of 70 is classed as stage 2 of 6 stages of kidney disease.

I have stage 3a and have been at this stage since diagnosis 20 years ago. I also take medication for high blood pressure. I don't follow any special diet, but like ANY other person healthy or otherwise i try to eat well and keep fit.

If your doctor hasn't suggested you follow a diet or see a nutritionist then I wouldn't worry. You can if course see a nutritionist but I think speaking to your doctor is the best way to set your mind at rest.

My GP was very realistic when discussing it, I only have a check-up annually and only visit if i think I'm getting a Uti.

Out of curiosity are you in the UK? I ask this as i have noticed in previous threads different responses/medical advice between UK and USA

I would never call you crazy but maybe a little unrealistic. You have to have potassium your body needs it. Having a low potassium can be more dangerous than a high potassium sometimes. I would ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian to discuss how much your body needs especially with taking medications. I eat half amounts of high potassium foods. So if I want tomatoes I eat half a serving or half a banana or potato etc. But I do not avoid them that is probably not needed at your stage. But again you should always ask your doctor.

Hi Natalie, having your bloods done yourself can almost be as bad a Googling your symptoms! I presume the blood pressure tablets are prescribed, so maybe talk to the doctor that prescribed them about your concerns. Kidney function does naturally decrease with age and without seeing a doctor you will never know, and in the meantime you will make yourself ill worrying which is counter productive.

Do you know what causes the high blood pressure?

Natalie, I am sorry you have a fear of Doctors but I’m worried you're maybe doing yourself harm, especially with self prescribing medicines, you have no idea whats in it or even if its right for you. 20mg is quite a large dose without being monitored.

I don't want to scare you but its really not a good way healthwise.