Cramping!!

[KT0930]

The drug you're thinking of is Quinine. My doc prescribed it for me, and it worked very well. Have they put him on a Potassium supplement? I was on 40 meq/day for most of the time I was on PD, which is about twice the normal dose, I believe. It wasn't until a month or so before my transplant that we had to reduce my dose because my potassium level was finally creeping up to the high normal range.

[The Wife]

Quinine.  That's it.  Thanks.  There's so much to learn and remember.  He's not on a potassium suppliment but that's something to ask about.  When I called, I also asked to speak with the nutritionist and see if I could spend some time with her.  I've done a lot of reading but need some help.  The phosphorus/potassium thing confuses me at times.
Anyway, LL slept last night and didn't have one cramp!  He drank more fluid to bring up his dry weight.  She said to bring it up by half a litre and prepare more his potassium foods which I did last night.

Ah, sleep is beautiful!

[KT0930]

Sleeping through the night without cramping is a wonderful thing! Potassium-rich foods that were recommended to me were potatoes, tomatoes, orange juice (really, all citrus), and of course bananas. I made rosemary roasted red potatoes at least a couple times a week with dinner, and since one of my favorite snacks was chips and salsa, my nutritionist recommended adding tomato paste to the salsa. I didn't like doing that, as it did change the flavor of the salsa a bit, but even just the salsa by itself helped some. Best of luck with this, I know it can get confusing and overwhelming. Kudos to you for trying!!

[The Wife]

Thanks. 

I know about oranges, potatoes, and tomatoes, and last night I learned that kiwi and mangos are also good, which I just happened to find on the bargin bin where the veggies or fruit are marked down because they need to be eaten quickly.  Where I get confused is on the amount.  How much per day does someone need to eat?  And....do some of the high potassium foods have high phosphorus? These are just some of the questions I'll be asking the nutritionist next week.  Better take a list.

Cramp-free sleeps are also good for those who aren't on dialysis. 

Best wishes to you KT.

[jbeany]

Dried fruit is high in potassium as well - the drying concentrates the nutrition in the fruit, so a small serving has lots of potassium.  That gives all kinds of yummy snacks if you need more potassium, like dried cherries, raisins, and banana chips.

[KT0930]

Dried mangos are also yummy. I'm sorry, I wasn't ever given an amount to eat, just "lots". I believe the phosphorous is mainly in processed foods and those high in protein, but that's a good question for the nutritionist, as I'm not positive about that.

[The Wife]

I didn't even think about dried fruit.   

In regards to phosphorous, I stay away from buying as much processed foods as possilbe.  I guess my question to the nutritionist would be about the high protien/phosphorus foods, along with with a bunch of other questions.  A good overview will definately be helpful.

Thanks again.