I'm new here, noobie

[trenton6013]

I'm new here, but I've been on hemo for 3 years.  I also have diabetes type 1, so trying to juggle a diabetic and renal diet is so difficult.  Most of my friends don't know what it's like to be on dialysis and they think being tired all the time is fake or a joke.  It's also hard to stop eating what you love such as favorite veggies and fruits when you've eaten them for a long time.  It's very difficult as I'm a foodie and I also love taking food porn pics.  It's just so difficult to eat only things you make and then you see your friends posting pics of food that you used to eat.

I was told that I would get my transplant sooner but since I have diabetes, it's pushed back another 3-5 years.  I have problems with hypertension, but also low blood pressure.  Have had several scares and had to be rushed to the ER for low blood presure, just recently was rushed to the ER after almost losing consciousness.  Blood tests came back negative and my bp seemed to slowly go up.  They gave me 500 cc of saline at the ER just for good measure.  I have also had a 3rd angio plasty on my fistula as it started narrowing again causing my potassium levels to skyrocket.  Wound up in the intensive care because with potassium levels sky high, all your muscles contract and my heart started beating at a very low rate.  The cardiologist said I could've died because it was beating at an irregular and slow rate, but I didn't need to have to be put on heart medication for long term, it was only a fluke.

I'm hoping those scientists perfect lab grown kidneys fast as the artificial kidney looks promising but it's just way too big.  I wish it was small like an insulin pump.

[MooseMom]

I was on the "pre-renal" diet for 8 years, and when I first went to a renal dietician, she told me I should be very glad that I didn't have diabetes on top of CKD.  I thought the pre-renal diet was tough enough, but that diabetic renal diet is gruesome, so I do feel for you.  And having your friends post food porn must make it particularly tough for you.  Ugh. 

Are there any foods that you make for yourself that you particularly enjoy?  This diet is so counterintuitive as the usually "healthy" foods can now kill you.

Why does having diabetes push you further down the tx list?  Is your diabetes difficult to control or something?

Anyway, we're glad you've joined our community.  I hope 2017 brings you better health.

[trenton6013]

I think it might be because diabetes damages all your organs and leads to kidney failure especially if you have hypertension which is how I wound up on dialysis in the first place.  I was walking around with a super high bp rate, like 230/120 and felt fine!!

Well eating things like dumplings, ramen, tofu.  I just saw a renal dietician and now was told tofu is high in phosphorous so I have to be limiting the quantity since I like eating the whole package of soft tofu and I have to stop eating bok choy and baby bok choy, so cabbage and napa cabbage are safe

[cassandra]

Welcome to the site trenton6013

   


Take care, Cas

[PrimeTimer]

   Welcome, trenton6013! Hope you will continue posting about your diet. Maybe you'd like to include a recipe or two in the recipes section. Am curious, are you on insulin? My husband is a diabetic on insulin and dialysis 3x a week in center. He also takes meds to control high BP. He is very good about his diet and insulin.

[trenton6013]

yep, I'm on the humalog pen and take 5 units at every meal or when I know I'm going to have carbs.  And then 8 units of Lantus at night or bedtime

I just got a vitamix 7500 and can't wait to make sauces, dips, soups, and protein shakes that will help to lower my bp and improve my diet.  I've already made a sugar free sorbet and vegan ice cream using almond breeze.

[trenton6013]

I delve into photography as a hobby to get my mind off dialysis.  You get used to a dslr as it's become more of an appendage.  I usually salivate over food porn pics like these:

[Michael Murphy]

One of my fellow patients had a double transplant a year ago ( kidney and pancreas) and today is non diabetic and dialysis free.  Even a year later he looks like he won the lottery and in a way he has.  Good luck

[Charlie B53]

Welcome to IHD!

My computer settings much need a tweak as your food porn pics failed to load both here and the food porn thread.  I LOVE to eat most everything.  Recently switched to Hemo and find the dietary restrictions much greater than while I was on PD.

Word wrap doesn't seem to be working very well today.  Maybe I need to restart this thing, it's been well over a week again.

Fluids are a new problem for me.  I have always liked ice water and having a one liter limit, which is also to include the water found in foods, like salad veggies, is difficult for me so far.

Dietician is off today, Jan 2, a lot of people think it is still a Holiday.  NOT for those of us sitting in these chairs!

Changing eating habits is hard.   I will be taking a LOT of binders.  I have begun to carry that bottle with me in the truck so I'll always have them handy.  I am learning.

Good luck, it is going to take some effort but you will become adjusted to the life changes.

Take Care,

Charlie B53

[Xplantdad]

The pics don't show up for me either... just shows a minus sign

[solid98]

The pics don't show up for me either... just shows a minus sign

I think the "pics" are spot on. I'm type 2 diabetic and on PD and can't eat a damn thing. What is good for diabetic diet is bad for a renal diet and vice versa. I asked my primary doctor for a recommendation to a renal dietitian. The bubble headed bimbo started lecturing me to cut out all red meat and load up on whole grains and dairy.

[Charlie B53]

LOL  I bought a big jug of one of those protein powders.  I looked at the labels and see they list both potassium and phosphorus.  I will have to take my binders with it.

I wonder what, or how, I can use it.  I tried a very small amount on a spoon.  It instantly dried my whole mouth, sucking up every bit of moisture faster than my glands could produce it.  I guess eating it dry is out of the question.

So I NEED to take some liquid, which I am very limited in.

I almost put a spoonful in my coffee, but was afraid of ruining my coffee.

I need suggestions.

[Jean]

welcome to IHD and I hope some of the members can help you   

[trenton6013]

yeah all the things that would deifnitely hurt a diabetic, got confusing as I was told that now I can eat white rice and white bread, no wheat.  Sadly no chocolate even if it's sugar free and no dark colas...not that I drink diet soda anymore...just occasionally.  But saw a renal dietician recently and now told that I can't have ANY beer since it has wheat and barley in it.  So only wines and hard liquor

[trenton6013]

LOL  I bought a big jug of one of those protein powders.  I looked at the labels and see they list both potassium and phosphorus.  I will have to take my binders with it.

I wonder what, or how, I can use it.  I tried a very small amount on a spoon.  It instantly dried my whole mouth, sucking up every bit of moisture faster than my glands could produce it.  I guess eating it dry is out of the question.

So I NEED to take some liquid, which I am very limited in.

I almost put a spoonful in my coffee, but was afraid of ruining my coffee.

I need suggestions.

you need to take protein powders and put it with coffee or with almond milk or a smoothie.  Depends what you put in the smoothie though...maybe almond milk, 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt, then the protein powder and mix it in a blender like a vitamix or cuisinart hand blender.  And then maybe drink it as a snack in between meals not as a meal substitute

[Charlie B53]

Protein powder IN my coffee?   I will have to get bold and try it.  Already have my cup and graham crackers beside me, so maybe tomorrow.


Trenton,     All things in moderation.       That wheat bread, whole grain rice, etc.  You can still have but watch the portion size AND TAKE your binders. 

That is something I am working on, carrying binders with me as I eat out far too many times.  I never know in advance so having them in the truck should make a huge difference.

Alcohol in general for diabetics should be avoided.  It is a VERY simple sugar and enters the bloodstream far quicker than anything else.   As for the wheat and barley, the same portion control thing.

ALL things in moderation.

[Michelle2016]

Hi, Trenton1063:

Thanks for the idea of "hand blender". I just got one powered by batteries from Amazon. So I can make my healthy smoothie at work! It's just a wonderful idea.

[trenton6013]

the immersion metal hand blenders probably work good in pots with hot foods like if you wanted to make mashed potatoes while simmering in a high pan or pot

[Charlie B53]

Not sue I enderstand what you mean by this "immersion hand blender'.

We have one of those slim hand held blenders that have a protecter dish thing just above the blade extending far enough out that the blades cannot contact the sides of your dish..  A selection of of disks/blades.

This works great in a bowl or glass to blend things like a vinegar and oil salad dressing.

Likede it so much got Daughter one.  And found and extra one at a yard sale just in case one of these dies.

I have noted, after cleaning every use I have to put just a drop of vegetable oil on the shaft at the bushing above the blade or it tends to lock uip, dries out between uses.  Then it's a PITA to lube it and free it up the next time.

[MooseMom]

Not sue I enderstand what you mean by this "immersion hand blender'.

We have one of those slim hand held blenders that have a protecter dish thing just above the blade extending far enough out that the blades cannot contact the sides of your dish..  A selection of of disks/blades.

This works great in a bowl or glass to blend things like a vinegar and oil salad dressing.

Likede it so much got Daughter one.  And found and extra one at a yard sale just in case one of these dies.

I have noted, after cleaning every use I have to put just a drop of vegetable oil on the shaft at the bushing above the blade or it tends to lock uip, dries out between uses.  Then it's a PITA to lube it and free it up the next time.

What you're describing is an "immersion blender".  I use mine much more often than I use a regular blender, but I've never had to use any vegetable oil after cleaning it.  Which brand do you have?  I think mine is a Braun.

It is a great gadget to use if you want to make a thick-ish soup or a pureed soup.  Just stick it in your pot, turn it on, and you get your nice thick soup without having to transfer it into a blender instead.

[Charlie B53]

LOL   Name?   I've never bothered to look.  I'm a 'Guy'.  It works.  I've never read any directions.  Don't even remember if it came with any 'paper'.

It is White.  Has a plastic holder thing that hangs on the wall with the other blade things.

I'm a Mechanic.  It is just another tool, only for in the Kitchen.

Bwahahaha.  Sometimes I have to laugh, I can't control it.

[Charlie B53]

I just tossed a big Corning ware dish into the oven.  Loaded it with a heavy layer of pork chops/steaks/something pork.  Sprinkled some 'stuff' on them.  Mix a bunch of rice, 'green stuff', butter, what's that green stuff that's good for use?   Broccoli, yea, broccoli parts, cheeses.  Covered the works up with foil and set the oven to 350.  I figure I'll look in on it in about an hour, decide if it is too wet and have to leave the foil off to dry out a bit before dinner.

should be moist and tasty enough for the brats, err, Son, and Grandson.  I can eat most anything that won't eat me first.

Oh, and I will take my binders.

[trenton6013]

this is what I mean by an immersion hand blender.  Usually the metal ones allow you to use it in hot foods

[trenton6013]

I use a copper chef pan and I find that it really retains a lot of heat.  I use it as my every day pan as I can sear pork chops and lamb chops and pan fry fish too.  I've used the steamer tray to steam fish but have not used the fryer basket for fried foods as those on dialysis know you can't have fried foods.  I've used it to boil pasta noodles though.  And it cleans up so much easier than teflon coated cookware

[Charlie B53]

That's looks identical to our models only without the name.  Works great for what ever I use it for.

I have watched a couple of the comercials for the copper pans and have wondered if they work as well as advertised.  The prices have held me back.  Actually saw one on the shelf at WalMart, but passed on by for now.   

There was a couple of sizes advertised,  WM only had the one.

I have a few very old copper pots/pans for the stove.  They are coated with another metal inside and have very nice brass handles.  I rarely ever use them as I am not sure of the inner coating metal, and not sure how or if they will discolor on our glass top stove.

The old RevereWare always seemed to need attention to that copper bottom.  I get totally anal if it isn't bright and shiny copper.