How to gain weight?

[drgirlfriend]

There's a fine problem, eh? My boyfriend and I have become Jack Sprat & his wife since his kidney failure. Every pound he loses, I gain!! Anyway, here's the story - the boyfriend was 5'6" and 130 lbs when this all started in February. He never was a big eater. Now he's down to 112 and I seem to be the only person who's a little upset about it. Poor thing is getting bonier by the day. We started out trying to get with the standard renal diet and now that has been reduced to about 20 random items due to acidosis. We're hoping to start pd soon and relax some of these restrictions but in the meantime, I'm about done with all this acid/alkaline sh*t. I want to get his weight back up a little. Any suggestions or advice?

[billybags]

I wish I could help you. Husband has lost loads of weight over the last 6 months, due to heart attack ext, and yes we can see all his bones, not nice. We have seen the dietitian, oh by the way he is on APD. He has been diagnosed as malnourished because he does not fancy food.he has been on lots of pain killers and eventually weaned off them and his appetite is now slowly retuning.he has some sort of protein drink and was told he could eat any thing he wants whether it is renal friendly or not. His bloods are still OK but he is not putting weight on. Most renal patients lose their appetite over time.it goes with the shit. See your dietitian and get her to give you some sound advise, that's what they are there for. I have lost lots of weight with stress and I am only slight and I can not put weight on.It is quite funny, you see all these ads about losing weight, but you do not see any about putting it on.

[texasstyle]

The renal diet thing is a pain. I do know though, protein is what helps build muscle mass. I know there are restrictions with that so you may want to talk to the dietician.dr. Check into vegetable oils for gaining weight on renal. I saw something about that oddly enough. I think I've gained some too that he's lost! lol

[Rerun]

Order some Nepro.  It is a protein drink made for dialysis patients.  High in protein, low in Phos and Potassium.  I like the Butter Pecan.  High in calories also.  Best when cold.  Call 1.800.986.8502  try a six pack and see if he likes it.  United States only I'm not sure where you live. 

                               

[texasstyle]

that is great information about the drink!

[jbeany]

Usually, the dietitians like to push the ensure style drinks.  Not a horrible option if you like the taste.  I wish they would offer mixed mini-packs of those, though - I always had one flavor I could stand, and it usually took several tries to find it.

Sugar cookies made with real Crisco are renal diet friendly, too.   

[Annig83]

Agree fully with the Ensure, or Nephro drinks.  They really arent bad.  I don't have a loss of weight, actually I could stand to lose some pounds, but I have trouble keeping my protein up since I am not a huge meat fan.  My dietician has me drink a couple everyday to assist with that problem and it will help with your husbands' too!

[Chris]

I had the problem while on dialysis with weight and still do after transplant. After loosing weight I have a hard time gaining the weight I lost back. I was on the Nepro, then oher types of Ensure drinks, and now a different drink that is not as thick as Ensure and easier to drink. However the taste gets old and not palletteable. With the pd, one of the ingriedents is dextrose from what I rememer on here and I think that may help him also besides the less restrictions.
 
Hope the Nepro helps and the pd improves his weight.

[drgirlfriend]

Thanks everyone! I sent him to the store to check out Nepro. If that doesn't suit him, we'll try some others.
I am aware that he could gain from the pd, but I am also concerned about him getting enough protein once pd starts - which is next week! Finally!
Thanks again!!

[Rerun]

I have never seen Nepro in the store you might have to order some.  Ensure is for normal people and has more potassium than I would like to have in my renal diet.

[Chris]

Sometimes Walmart carries it, but a local grocery chain might have it in their pharmacy department, who then can check their other locations to see if tey have it in stock.. The trouble with ordering it, you get a whole case of one flavor. I got stuck with 6 cases of one flavor and ended up selling a couple during a garage sale.

[drgirlfriend]

Walgreens carries it. Not sure about Walmart. And considering the price, no way are we getting a case until he tries it.

[Chris]

That's good and true, you do not want a whole case of it when it is only one flavor. Your insurance may also pay for it with a doctors prescription, but you have to go to a medical supply place or from the company. And in that case, you get quite a few cases.
 

[bhall777]

How can yall drink “a couple” a day and do well with fluid restrictions?

I guess my predicament would be much more difficult since i am restricted to no more than 12oz of water a day..  after one of these that leaves only 4 extra ounces for the day.,,