Eating shellfish

[Deanne]

I think I saw a message here before where someone said mussels aren't allowed after transplant. I've eaten mussels and other shellfish before I saw that message and my transplant center never told me not to eat them. What's the issue with mussels, and does it extend to clams? I want to try clamming tomorrow. I had some second thoughts about it, but after I thought more about it, it occurred to me that collecting my own clams is no different than eating them in a restaurant or picking them up from a grocery store. In fact, it might be safer since I'll know they're fresh. I still want to be sure I'm being safe though.

Any opinions on shellfish?

Thanks!

[obsidianom]

I think I saw a message here before where someone said mussels aren't allowed after transplant. I've eaten mussels and other shellfish before I saw that message and my transplant center never told me not to eat them. What's the issue with mussels, and does it extend to clams? I want to try clamming tomorrow. I had some second thoughts about it, but after I thought more about it, it occurred to me that collecting my own clams is no different than eating them in a restaurant or picking them up from a grocery store. In fact, it might be safer since I'll know they're fresh. I still want to be sure I'm being safe though.

Any opinions on shellfish?

Thanks!

Clams being "bottom feeders" collect much toxin and bacteria. They are easily contaminated by sewage or other pollutants in the area they are harvested. So you really  need to know your environment .  Also clams are often not cooked enough. Toxins cannot be eleiminated by cooking however.

[iolaire]

I think I saw a message here before where someone said mussels aren't allowed after transplant. I've eaten mussels and other shellfish before I saw that message and my transplant center never told me not to eat them. What's the issue with mussels, and does it extend to clams? I want to try clamming tomorrow. I had some second thoughts about it, but after I thought more about it, it occurred to me that collecting my own clams is no different than eating them in a restaurant or picking them up from a grocery store. In fact, it might be safer since I'll know they're fresh. I still want to be sure I'm being safe though.

This seems to be a case where thinking local, and knowing your food supplier might help you make your decision (or in your case harvesting your own food).  I grew up in Alaska which is quite rural and the poo is only from a few people and VERY dispersed across miles of water, I'd have much less concern about harvesting clams up there, versus somewhere near many more people - say in the Seattle area...  Just the same purchasing store bought shellfish from a farm in rural Maine sounds better than some generic shellfish from some generic farm in Chile...

[Darthvadar]

When my late mum first went into Renal Failure, her Neph. advised against shellfish entirely... Too easy to get food poisoning from...

Wasn't any great hardship because she didn't like it anyway...

Darth...

[obsidianom]

I think I saw a message here before where someone said mussels aren't allowed after transplant. I've eaten mussels and other shellfish before I saw that message and my transplant center never told me not to eat them. What's the issue with mussels, and does it extend to clams? I want to try clamming tomorrow. I had some second thoughts about it, but after I thought more about it, it occurred to me that collecting my own clams is no different than eating them in a restaurant or picking them up from a grocery store. In fact, it might be safer since I'll know they're fresh. I still want to be sure I'm being safe though.

This seems to be a case where thinking local, and knowing your food supplier might help you make your decision (or in your case harvesting your own food).  I grew up in Alaska which is quite rural and the poo is only from a few people and VERY dispersed across miles of water, I'd have much less concern about harvesting clams up there, versus somewhere near many more people - say in the Seattle area...  Just the same purchasing store bought shellfish from a farm in rural Maine sounds better than some generic shellfish from some generic farm in Chile...

Even in rural New England we have had our share of red tide shellfish poisoning. There is plenty of environmental issues even in Maine and New Hampshire seacoasts.  There are few really clean places left in the lower 48. (right BOB?)

[jeannea]

I don't like mussels or clams. I have eaten scallops and crab. I'm not sure what to say. Don't eat them raw?

[Deanne]

I won't eat anything raw. I remember my tx center saying that and I think they also specified oysters when they said nothing raw. Y'all kinda convinced me it'll be ok.

[Angiepkd]

Isn't it odd that all of us have different experiences with our transplant centers?  Wouldn't you think if shellfish were dangerous, that information would be universally distributed to all tx patients?  I have seen so much information here that was never given to me.  It would really be nice if we could get a rule book along with our new kidneys haha!  The more I research, the more confused I get.  I am using the "common sense" approach, along with asking my tx doc.  That book might be a good money maker for IHD.  We could all list what our individual transplant centers told us!

[Deanne]

I went clamming Saturday and fried a couple clams to test them out. No sign of illness. Today I made clam chowder. Yum! Clamming was a blast and I can't wait to do it again. They test for red tide poisoning and have a phone number and website to make sure it's safe before going.

[iolaire]

Isn't it odd that all of us have different experiences with our transplant centers?  Wouldn't you think if shellfish were dangerous, that information would be universally distributed to all tx patients?  I have seen so much information here that was never given to me.  It would really be nice if we could get a rule book along with our new kidneys haha!  The more I research, the more confused I get.  I am using the "common sense" approach, along with asking my tx doc.  That book might be a good money maker for IHD.  We could all list what our individual transplant centers told us!

Yes, recently I read the thread on Star Fruit being bad, I don't think I saw that anywhere - somehow I know grapefruit and grapefruit juice is bad for the kidneys but I never heard about Star Fruit - and you can be sure I eat a little when on vacation in some tropical place...