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Protein and fluid intake

Posted , 4 users are following.

rick39522
rick39522

68 yr old male.  One kidney removed in this past July due to a tumor.  Now I am confused on fluid intake and Protein intake.

?Fluids.  My kidney doctor and my primary care doctor say to drink plenty of fluids because I need to keep my Creatinine level under control (it is about 1.7, which they say is "normal" for one kidney).  However on the kidney.org website it says that as kidney failure progresses then less fluid should be consumed to reduce "workload" on the kidney.  Anyone have knowledge on this?

?Protein.  There are so many different recommendations on the right amount of protein intake.  In general the NIH says 50 grams a day for a 2000 calorie diet.  Others have formulas based on age.  None take into consideration if you have CKD or not.  I try to watch my protein intake but to take in just 50 grams is difficult, but I come close.  But there are days were my protein intake is perhaps 125 grams.  Does anyone know if having just the occasional day of "excessive" protein intake (say once a week) is harmfull if on the other days you are within guidelines.  We have a disease we must face but for me there is little joy in living a little longer if during the time we have we have to be without any occasional joys and exceptions.

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • tony78174
    tony78174 rick39522

    Posted

    you only need to limit fluid if your body is retaining fluid (swelling) all people eat to much protein, a healthy normal man should only eat 0.08 gramd per each kilogram he weighs.

    ​E.g. if you weight 70 kilos x 0.08 grams = your maximum protein intake 5.6

  • rick39522
    rick39522

    Posted

    I weigh 185 pounds.  So my daily protein maximum would be 67g per day.
    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey rick39522

      Posted

      Rick, unless you have been told personally by those treating you that you need to restrict fluids, then best not to restrict it.

      I had a kidney removed over 60 years ago.  I have never been told to reduce my fluid intake, in fact I have been advised to drink plenty, with a urologist recently telling me to drink an extra pot of tea a day!  

      I asked my renal consultant quite recently whether I needed to restrict protein and he told me to continue as I am.  I have CKD3 with an eGFR of 33 at the last blood test.  It had dropped 5 points from the previous reading so I am crossing everything that it hasn't reduced any further when I'm tested again next week.

      Obviously, there are some kidney patients who have specific problems for which fluids and protein should be reduced but hopefully if this was the case for you, you would have been advised accordingly.

      Like you, a friend of mine had a kidney removed due to a tumour two years ago and she has never been told to restrict anything.  I believe her eGFR is at a similar level to mine. 

    • rick39522
      rick39522 MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      Wow over 60 years ago.  Your information was interesting.  Especially that after 60 years it took you to reach a efgr of 33, while your friend is that low after just two years.  It shows how different we all are and that average results are just that, an average.  My kidney doctor told me that as we age our egfr will drop a point or sometimes 2 each year and with my egfr at 38 I can expect to be in stage 4 range in about 6 to 7 years.  Of course I do not like this prognosis, but what can I do.  I am 68.  At that time I will be 75.  You read so many different articles that contradict each other.  The NKF says someone in stage 4 will require dialysis in a short period of time.  Others say it is not needed until the egfr is about 15 (which is the brink of stage 5).  It is frightening to think I have only 5 or 7 years left.
  • fran32391
    fran32391 rick39522

    Posted

    Rick,

    I am 63 with gfr 23 and creation 2.0.  My nephrologists has told me to drink tons of water also. My thought on intake is that I follow my Drs instructions because even though we all might have CKD each case is different. I get my intake limitations from him and follow his instructions to the best of my ability. If he gives me instructions that I question I'm not shy about questioning him and having him clarify his instructions, and the reason for it.  When and if the day comes that I can't trust or believe him I will seek a second opinion.

    I told my Dr that I had a piece of pie and a cup of coffee with all my guests at Thanksgiving.  I also told him I planned to have a piece of "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake at Christmas. He said that was fine and just to remember to drink plenty of water.

     I agree with you, there should be more to being alive, we should be able to live. I believe we can balance our diet, have control of our numbers and "cheat" from time to time.  It keeps us from falling off that wagon.  At my age one of my greatest joys in life is to see my sons smile, not see a sad face because I fix a Birthday dinner but Mama can't share in the celebration. If that meal shortens my life by a week or month, it is worth it to me. I want to leave them with good memories.

    • rick39522
      rick39522 fran32391

      Posted

      Exactly right Fran.    Basically my doctors have told me mostly to keep protein under control.  They did said coffee or tea daily is okay in moderation.  Nothing was said of sweets.  But then my sugar is under control unlike yourself.  But I cheat on the protein anyway, occasionally (I love the pizza, lol).  You said it all perfectly.
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