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potassium info

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buddyluck
buddyluck

Potassium level as come bk 7.4 how can I reduce it I'm on caps 4 bags daily.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • helen54849
    helen54849 buddyluck

    Posted

    Hi,

    Did you mean you are on CAPD? Regarding your potassium are they going to re test you very soon.  The reason I ask is before I started dialysis I would have peaks in my potassium, it went to a bit higher than yours (after being on a no potassium diet) and it turned out that the next bloods done (always the next day) we fine.  If the person that took your bloods shook or handled the tube roughly then that can affect the result as its not supposed to be shaken.  To be on the safe side until you have your bloods done again I would avoid anything with potassium in it so banans, more than 1/4 of a cup of milk a day, if you have milk don't have yogurt.  No potatoe crisps (doretos are ok) no chocolate, don't have steemed veg make sure you boil it and tip the water away (don't use it to make gravy). There are loads if you google it there are food charts that tell you what to avoid and what is ok in moderation.  If you are on dialysis it is unusual for your potassium to go ok unless the above happened or your dialysis isn't as effective.  Like I explained before I started dialysis I was on a low potassium diet, however I was told once I had been on PD for a while I could relax it a bit (Obviously I can't eat a jacket spud a banana and have sauce with tomatoes in it on one day but its not as bad as before).  Hopefully when you have your repeat bloods done it will be ok.  I am really shocked that you hadn't been referred to a dietician by your neph, when mine went that high I was told to come back later that day and in the am and I was marched straight to the dietician what told me what to do.  Let me know how you get on and if its still high when you go back I will try and find some more info for you.  What are your other bloods like (GFR & creatinine etc) have they told you your PAT results are you dialysising ok?.  Let me know take care x

    • buddyluck
      buddyluck helen54849

      Posted

      Hi thanks for getting back to me I'm on capd, I had my bloods done twice yesterday 1st it was 6.4 then 7.4 and today it's come down to 5.5 my creatine levels was 1034 they did say in January when I done a ktv test that my dialysis was ok and I was a slow transporter I really don't want to go on hemo dialysis thanks again for gettin bk to me.
  • helen54849
    helen54849 buddyluck

    Posted

    Hi,

    Its good thats it come down, mine was always around 5.5-6 and although that it hgh it was considered ok and stable for me, so if you can keep it at the 5.5 mark you should be ok.  So I would avoid chips, hash browns, wedges anything like that as they are high in potassium.  You can eat mash, boiled spuds (you don't have to soak them anymore, just discard the water) rice and pasta are ok too.  Don't eat jacket spuds.  You can have a tomatoe based sauce on your pasta just be mindful not to have anything else that is from the high potassium foods.  You can have homemade soup just soak the veg first over night then throw the water away.  Avoid bread with nuts or seeds or indeed any nuts or seeds, then avoid chocolat and crisps.  You can eat haribo I am rather partial to some haribo. You should be referred to a dietician to help you, they also keep an eye on your bloods.  Regarding your creatinine wow thats very high, I know you don't want haemo and I have to say I don't blame you neither do I fancy it.  Can I ask whay you do CAPD and not APD at nigh perhaps this may help with the whole getting your levels down.  What bags are you on and how much do you have each fill and what is your dwell. Loads of questions for you I know but it helps to talk to someone who actually does it rather that someone who has read about it in a book.  I do APD at night as it suits my family life (2 kids, a husband and a job) I have two 5 litre bags one yellow, one green then 2lt pink extraneal.  I had a lot of trouble to start as I am only narrow and so I struggled with the flud in to start with (drain pain was also a mare for about three months, thankfully that seems to of gone now thank god as it really hurt) out of the two 5 lt bags I have 800mls then dwell for 40mins then empty.  I have 10 cycles in all over 8 hours through the night and then a last fill of 200ml out of the pink bag that stays in all day.  I am just wondering if this would suit you better as they can adjust the level and langth of dialysis and the colour of the bags, it may be worth looking into.  Anything to avoid haemo! I wold imagine its not so different from what you do know.  I am glad your potassium went down I hope your creatinine does as its quite bad mine was only 485 before I started dialysis.  Let me know how you go x

    • buddyluck
      buddyluck helen54849

      Posted

      Hi I did try the night machine but my levels seem to go up I was doing 5 cycles 2 litres all yellow bags I'm a low transporter so think that's why I give up on it cos the capd did at one point bring my levels down im mebt to do 4 yellow bags 1750 each time I've got 3 children plus my husband (who's worse then my kids sometimes lol) night machine was great cos least I did av a bit of a life now I'm constantly doin dialysis I done 7 hags on Saturday now doin 5 bags my worst eating habits are crisps to be honest I've been doin dialysis for just over 4 years think it's getting me down abit now how long have been doin it for?? if u don't mind me askin, my creatine was over 400 when I started dialysis but had a few hiccups catheter stopped workin ended up having 3 fitted till finally the 4 worked smile then I had to put my dialysis on hold again cos I had an hernia which then put my levels up again glad urs is goin great tho and ur doin well I feel sometimes I know my body better then the Dr's x
    • helen54849
      helen54849 buddyluck

      Posted

      Hi,

      I know what you mean about the husband being worse than the kids at times lol.  Right so stick with CAPD what about asking to change to green bags its a bit thicker and it may be an option there are also orange bags I think to try too (how lucky are we! I think they are the same bags that we both use) You can still eat crisps but you have to be clever, crisps were my thing.  So you can have corn snacks like bacon frazzles and chedesey puffs and the like and doretos (anything corn or maze) mine was the odd thing off chocolate and when I tried to eat it in work I would have the potassium police sayin your not allowed to eat that to which I would smile sweetly and reply are you going to take it off me - it was always a no way so it was ok.  I feel for you and all you have been through especially as we wifeys have stuff to do at all times I bet it is frustrating.  I have only been doing it since Dec so not too bad but I know what you mean about it getting you down, if you wear jeans etc it pulls my catheter that does my head in.  Are you on the transplant list? I bet if you are and have been on for this long you are blood group 0. My friend has offered me one of her kidneys (i won't let my husband unless urgent due to the kids, one is only 4) so we are just waiting for a date, hopefully it will be soon so we can get it over with  otherwise I will have to wait my turn.  I told the neph that my GFR was going to drop in the Sep as it had the past 2 years when it did they said oh that was a shock we didn't think you would go down hill that quick I said well I did tell you? the PD nurses are fab though.  How is your iron and EPO I have had one lot of iron then two EPO but it was too much so stopped for a while and just had another at the weekend but seem to be holding my own on that front.  I sooo can't wait to have this pipe removed from my stomach I don't mind it but cant wait til its gone I bet you cant wait either.  Keep me updated its nice to speak to someone who is going through the same xx

    • buddyluck
      buddyluck helen54849

      Posted

      I've been bk to the hospital today my levels av come down again 4.5 so really pleased with that smile they ain't gonna change my dialysis well not till I've seen the dr nxt wk my friend was tested for me 2 years ago but I've got to many antibodies so she's not a match for me so they av put us down for a 3 way transplant but still no luck up to yet my husband could be tested but because my kidney failures genetic I'd feel awful if I had his kidney to find out 1 of my children needed it think I just need to take it day by day I know what u mean about the catheter it does get in the way at times I also miss takin baths silly I know I have the waterproof dressings but it just don't feel the same where u from if u don't mind me askin I'm from the west midlands been lovely chatting to you thanks again for all your help x
  • helen54849
    helen54849 buddyluck

    Posted

    Hi,

    Its no problem and I'm glad your levels have come down - keep off the cripsrolleyes lol. I live on a hill in Wales not always been here but wouldn't want to go anywhere else now and at least we will never flood.  I hope your levels stay ok keep me updated on your journey x

    • buddyluck
      buddyluck helen54849

      Posted

      Sounds nice where u live I'd love to live some where like that so calm and peaceful hope ur transplant goes great for you speak to u soon x
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