Not on Dialysis Yet, But Almost There...

[mallory]

I'm new to the forum, and not quite on dialysis yet.  i have about 11% kidney function left, thanks to vasculitis.  I've chosen CCPD, and I'm in the process of getting the catheter in the next couple of months.  I'm worried, but hopeful.  Trying to stay positive, and, I know this will sound crazy, but I'm just hoping I can hurry and eat the rest of the tomatoes in my garden before my kidney gives up and I can't have any more potassium.  Anyway, just taking it one day at a time, and I'm glad I found this website.  Mallory

[Epoman]

I'm new to the forum, and not quite on dialysis yet.  i have about 11% kidney function left, thanks to vasculitis.  I've chosen CCPD, and I'm in the process of getting the catheter in the next couple of months.  I'm worried, but hopeful.  Trying to stay positive, and, I know this will sound crazy, but I'm just hoping I can hurry and eat the rest of the tomatoes in my garden before my kidney gives up and I can't have any more potassium.  Anyway, just taking it one day at a time, and I'm glad I found this website.  Mallory

Who told you that you can't have potassium? Is that because of the vasculitis? or because they say you can't have potassium once you are on dialysis? I eat tomatoes all the time, you can eat what ever you want, just eat it in moderation and limit yourself and take those phosphorus binders. The dialysis machine does not remove Phosphorus well but it does a great job removing potassium. My pre dialysis potassium has been as high as 6.0 and at the end of dialysis it is down to 3.0 I know because I review my pre and post lab results.

Anyway welcome to the site, please read this section first: http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?board=31.0 Come and ask all the questions you want, we are here for you. Now that reminds me I've been craving chips and salsa and got to go make some. Again welcome.

- Epoman
Owner/Admin

[mallory]

They said once I start dialysis I can't have tomatoes, potatoes or bananas.  Now, I can live without potatoes and bananas, but fresh, home-grown tomatoes, I don't know.  Thanks for the message, I'm going out after some tomatoes right now!  Mallory

[charee]

Welcome  I am at much the same stage as you, going in very soon to have a fistula done and feeling like its all to much but I think we have found  a great site to help us .try and read all the posts they will answer alot of questions. Good Luck.


Charee

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Mallory, lots of good information and people here. Look forward to hearing from you. Hang in there, this disease definitely changes life as we are used to it, but everything in moderation seems to be the key.

[goofynina]

Hi Mallory,  Welcome to the best website regarding this matter.  Here you will find all sorts of valued information, stories, jokes, you name it, we got it.  I am on CCPD and the diet is not AS restricted as hemo, so dont give up on those tomatoes just yet.  When i was on hemo and i ate a tomatoe, potatoe, or banana,  i felt it, my body starts getting sluggish, but since being on the cylcer, it's been wonderful, and i may not eat a whole banana or a whole tomatoe,  but i do eat them.  It just all depends on you and how your body will  do with the dialysate and such,   Good Luck to you and we look forward to hearing more from you....

[Rerun]

Mallory welcome to our site.  I love milk and have not given it up although it is high in phosphorous.  I just have a little each day and dream of chugging it.  In fact I put it in a wine glass and savor it like a "fine" wine.  As the others have said first, CAPD lets you eat more of the "bad" foods because it is constantly dialyzing you.  (or when I did it)

Second, eat what you want only be sensible about it.  Don't go and eat a dozen cherry tomatoes.  Eat a couple.  AND savor it.

You will do fine.  Come here and vent your frustrations.  There will be some.

[Bajanne]

Welcome, Mallory!  You found out site at just the right time - before you actually start dialysis.  That is when I found it, and I must say that it made a tremendous difference in the way I was able to handle it when it did come.  Take your time and sift through the many posts that we have.   Look, first of all, for the ones dealing with things to prepare you for dialysis.  If there are questions that you have, ask them.  We are here for you.  Keep posting, keep communicating.  When necessary, we are here for you to rant and vent.

[hephziba]

Hello Mallory.

 On Haemo I could eat very little of the foods I liked. but on Capd and apd. I have been able to eat a lot more, and in england I was never restricted on potatoes neither on Haemo or capd.

anyway welcome, This place is great, dialysis for me was like living on a desert Island with no-one who understood what I was going through. Ihatedialysis.com is an oasis full of people who have been through it, are going through it, or are about to go through it.

you'll find friendly yet real advice here. Welcome

[Mom3]

Welcome! Dialysis is in my future too and I am already dealing with the diet restrictions since my son is on hemo.

I agree with the posts that say you can eat a little of the high potassium foods but you have to carefully balance! You don't want to eat a little banana, a little( not leeched) potato and a little tomato all in the same day!! It's your total potassium intake you have to worry about. Potassium spikes can be really dangerous!! And with reduced kidney function, I wouldn't overload on potassium or phosphorous at this point, either.

There is a lot of good practical advice available from patients and others on this site. Glad you found it!!

Mom3

[Sluff]

Welcome Mallory

[Hawkeye]

Now, I can live without potatoes and bananas, but fresh, home-grown tomatoes, I don't know.

Welcome to the site, you will find tons of usefull information to guide you on your way.  Plus, there are plenty of other topics to join in on too.  Your right about the tomatoes though.  As another man with a garden there is nothing like fresh picked tomatoes.