Financial Cost of the renal diet

[AnnieB]

I was just reading that eggs aren't that bad to eat, and I hope that's true since I have been eating alot of them lately. Apparently it's the yolk that's high, so if you eat egg whites (like egg substitutes) you should be okay.

[Zach]

Large Egg, white, raw, fresh
Phosphorus, P   5 mg
Potassium, K   54 mg
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/112

Large Egg, yolk, raw, fresh
Phosphorus, P   66 mg
Potassium, K   19 mg
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/113

 

[Lillupie]

I just cant stand the diet.

For example the cost of everything makes me angry. If it werent for dialysis the grocery bill would be cut in half.

example. Pancakes. I can buy a pancake mix for like $1.50. But nooo I have to make them from scratch. And that takes buying flour, baking power, or baking soda, vanilla, and of course and egg,a nd all that cost more then $150.

I would be happy with Stoffers Lasagna for like $6.00. But nooo. Buying a pack of fish, is like $8.00 for Cod. Just that extra money is adding up. All Im saying.

Lisa

[Leanne]

You are right Lisa.  It gets to me too.  Everything.  Seems like I am bleeding my family dry financially.  We travel an hou and a half each way for my treatments so our gas bill is rediculous.  School is out before we get back so we need to arrange for him to get picked up.  We have been lucky as far as having friends help us so no money for that.  Going to the grocery store is depressing.  I just do the best I can and agree when my doc tells me I need to eat more meat.  I dont think doctors always see the whole story. They just dont realize the financial difficulties sometime.  I just try to do thebest I can with all of it, its all I can do.  Shoot today the tank was empty and so was our pockets.  A friend gave us some gas money.  As for next trip?  Got no idea where that gas money is coming from.

[Lillupie]

You are right Lisa.  It gets to me too.  Everything.  Seems like I am bleeding my family dry financially.  We travel an hou and a half each way for my treatments so our gas bill is rediculous.  School is out before we get back so we need to arrange for him to get picked up.  We have been lucky as far as having friends help us so no money for that.  Going to the grocery store is depressing.  I just do the best I can and agree when my doc tells me I need to eat more meat.  I dont think doctors always see the whole story. They just dont realize the financial difficulties sometime.  I just try to do thebest I can with all of it, its all I can do.  Shoot today the tank was empty and so was our pockets.  A friend gave us some gas money.  As for next trip?  Got no idea where that gas money is coming from.

What state do you live in? In Michigan and I think Tennessee, since you are on dialysis and technically disabled, there are transportation companies that take a person to and from dialysis free of charge. Ask your social worker about it.

Lisa

[AnnieB]

Large Egg, white, raw, fresh
Phosphorus, P   5 mg
Potassium, K   54 mg
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/112

Large Egg, yolk, raw, fresh
Phosphorus, P   66 mg
Potassium, K   19 mg
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/113

 

So egg whites are still high(er) in potassium....but you're not getting that much phosphorus if you don't eat the yolks.... I definitely need to talk to a dietician. What I have trouble figuring out is all the trade-offs. Some of this is so not what I had thought was healthy eating (i.e. not supposed to eat whole wheat, etc) that I get confused. 

[Leanne]

Yes Lisa they have that here in WV but they arent dependable.  Get you late and leave you there for hours sometimes.  There is a guy at my center that rides with them.  Sometimes they dont pick him up at all.

[JasonEb]

You are right Lisa.  It gets to me too.  Everything.  Seems like I am bleeding my family dry financially.  We travel an hou and a half each way for my treatments so our gas bill is rediculous.  School is out before we get back so we need to arrange for him to get picked up.  We have been lucky as far as having friends help us so no money for that.  Going to the grocery store is depressing.  I just do the best I can and agree when my doc tells me I need to eat more meat.  I dont think doctors always see the whole story. They just dont realize the financial difficulties sometime.  I just try to do thebest I can with all of it, its all I can do.  Shoot today the tank was empty and so was our pockets.  A friend gave us some gas money.  As for next trip?  Got no idea where that gas money is coming from.

Also depending on the state (like here in Oklahoma), you can get reimbursed for your gas (well, technically it's mileage) that you use to travel back and forth to dialysis and other medical appointments.  Like the poster before me said, check with your unit social worker.

[Sydnee]

In Wyoming You must live a certain distance from the dialysis unit to qualify for mileage reimbursement. I think it's 15 miles not sure all I know is we qualify. But I would check with your social worker. But if he/she doesn't know don't assume that there is nothing. In the short time of being on dialysis we have learned that our clinic's social worker knows very little of what is out there and how to apply for it. 

[mamagemini]

Do you have a 1$ Store there? Eggs, flour, baking soda and vanilla all a 1$ = 4$
Or Walmart?

Also contact Salvation Army for food assistance and the local churches may know of a low income food drop. Sometimes if someone in the family donates time you get 2 bags of food. Check into it.

[MightyMike]

Just a minor suggestion I know there not the cheapest but the dietician told me to drink Ensure there is 9g of protein per can if you drink one or two a day it should help boost your protein it did for me.  Best wishes.

[Lillupie]

I'm sorry it's costing you so much for the food you need. It has to be especially hard with several family members to shop for, too. It's just my husband and I so we have it a little easier. He's the one on dialysis and it's a chore getting him to eat enough protein. His other labs are good, just low in protein. What's really frustrating is that I boil eggs for him and even peel them, and he doesn't eat them!!! He likes meat but doesn't eat enough. Would it be possible for everyone in your house to eat pretty much what you do, just maybe not quite as much meat? That would simplify meal planning and cooking. And you might be able to buy some things in larger quantities for a little less money. Are you diabetic, too? My husband is, and when he first had to start the renal diet I was just flabbergasted. Everything he could have on the renal diet was big no-nos for a diabetic.  WHITE bread, for god's sake! We have never had white bread in the house, but that's what he's allowed to eat. Well, I can tell you right now he doesn't follow the renal diet very closely. He's been good, so far, with his labs, but we have cut back on potatoes, tomatoes, and bananas. I eat what he does, mostly, and I'm not diabetic nor in kidney failure. Hasn't helped me lose any weight at all 

No thankfully I am not diabetic. No I have to buy more meat, because my husbands need the meat as much as I do, but can actually eat more of it. He is in the Army and does 1-2 hours of PT a day. For different reasons he needs protein. The thing is I think the daily meat and the vegetables or whatnot is too costly. If I werent on dialysis my husband would only get meat twice a week.

[st789]

We all do the best we can with our circumstances.

[Lillupie]

We all do the best we can with our circumstances.

Thanks,
 I just feel so alone. I feel like I am one of the only people who struggle in this area of finances when it comes to this food.

[MightyMike]

I can guarantee you that if you have a problem your never the only one.  It may not always be visible but I have found for every one of my problems there is at least one other person who has dealt with that issue.  There are plenty of us who are on fixed incomes and feel just as overwhelmed as you.  I know it can be difficult and at times you can feel like your the only one.  That's why it's good to have outlets like this to come too or if this isn't helping maybe finding a group or therapist to talk too.  I sense your anxiety which most of us suffer from and I hope you find some peace in your situation.  Best wishes.

[lmunchkin]

Lisa, I wish I could help you out in some way.  You are not that far from me.  Maybe we could get together for a day and get you off that base for at least a few hours.  Sounds good doesnt it?  I think you are by yourself alot and you just need some company.
I think of you alot.  Yea, maybe Im considerably older than you, but I AM alot younger in my thinking!  lol  We could have lunch take in a movie, just get you out of your surroundings for a bit.

Take care girl.  PM me if your'e interested.
God Bless,
lmunchkin