HELP! I NEED PROTEIN ADVICE!! Don't want to go on hemo

[hildegard]

Greetings all,

I am in a quandary with my moms dialysis. She has been on PD for 2 1/2 months now. She ended up in the hospital this past week with an intestinal infection..C Diff.

In the midst of the hospital visit, her Nephrologist has come to the conclusion that her protein level is critically low at 1.7 and therefore she would benefit from Hemo. The doctor said that her strength is so low that she could never eat enough protein to bolster her back up while on PD.

We really don't want one more tube in her neck. (they will put a temp line in her neck for Hemo) She already has a blood clot from the central line that was inserted to administer antibiotics for the infection. WE WANT her to stay on PD but not if she could never eat enough protein to regain her strength.

What do you all know about PD and protein levels. Could she eat enough to rebuild herself up again? Or do you all think that Hemo is the only route to get past this protein crisis.

Any feedback in appreciated!!!  By the way, my mom is 83 years old and she does not have much energy right now.

Thanks,

Lisa

[jedimaster]

talk to your dietician. We all, when on dialysis, sooner or later are lacking of something or have way too much or something. I am sure that there is a way to boost her protein level There are protein boosters in liquid and powder form....hope this helps.

[sandygrooms]

I also am low on protein, they are always saying eat more eggs. I got so sick of eggs.
Went to the health food store and bought some liquid protien. It taste kinda like cherry. Brand name is Cher-Amino
predigested collagen protein.
I only have been on it a couple weeks so will see what my labs say.
Two table spoons give you 15 g or 30% of daily value.
Weakness has been a big problem with me.
Hope this helps.
Sandy

[maisha_r]

My protein level is very low so energy... I have got this powder called Beneprotein,  but I want to get something in bigger can and of course save money,,, any brand somoene could recommend and what about restrictions in vitamins and minerals in that protein powders,  or can we take any kind?   I do not eat meat so eggs once in a while but  they make me sick I do not know what to eat... 

[jbeany]

I'm confused - I thought the reason we all had to watch our protein levels was because the dialysis stripped it out of our blood.  So how would going on hemo help increase anyone's protein level?  Am I wrong about that?  I know I used to lose some it from my kidneys not filtering it out and returning it to my system, but since I'm not really peeing much anymore, that can't be where I'm losing it now.

[Chicken Little]

So how would going on hemo help increase anyone's protein level? 

You lose more protein when dialysing on PD than you do on hemo.   

[Zach]

Here's the National Kidney Foundation U.S.A.) K/DOQI Guidelines on protein, which is needed to sustain and build muscle (remember, the heart is a muscle):
For PD
http://www.kidney.org/professionals/kdoqi/guidelines_updates/nut_a16.html

For Hemo
http://www.kidney.org/professionals/kdoqi/guidelines_updates/nut_a15.html

But don't forget you need calories for energy.  If you have too few calories per day, you'll end up using your protein stores for energy, instead of it going to muscle sustenance.
http://www.kidney.org/professionals/kdoqi/guidelines_updates/nut_a17.html

 

[maisha_r]

Thanks for suggestions for protein intake,  Lisa I wish i could help,  i am basically new into pd and still learning not sure if we could fix the protein problem.  In my case i have not apetite and do not eat meat so is getting complicated.. good luck.