Metabolic Acidosis

[Athena]

Since the end of last year I've started to show low serum bicarbonate levels of just below low-normal levels. My Neph has ordered that I take a sodium bicarbonate capsules with each meal, maximum number 3 times a day. I am really finding it hard to remember to take a capsule each meal to be quite honest and and am just praying that this is some temporary transient aberration. For some reason, I  haven't read many threads that discuss this problem, so am just wondering how common this problem really is. As far as I can tell, it doesn't seem to cause any actual symptoms as such and is only something you find out from blood tests?

How has everyone else fared with this one?

[cassandra]

When I was in 'my declining period of dad's kidney' I was on about 26 caps sodium bicarbonate a day. I never had to take them with a meal, and just took them spread over the day. They kept dad's kidney working for an awful lot longer than expected though, so it was definitely worth it. And it stopped the cramps which you're bound to get when your bicarb drops further.

Love Cas

[Athena]

Thanks very much Cas for your reply. That's interesting to know that people can apparently take these capsules on an empty stomach as I was told that I need to take them with meals. I often forget to take them so it's good to know that I can 'make up' by taking one when I remember to.

It would seem there's so many different reasons for muscle cramps! I've just learned that low serum bicarbonate levels is another reason for them. There is so much to learn about this disease.

I have also heard that there is strong evidence that sodium bicarbonate supplementation can slow progression of kidney disease but it's not something that is often mentioned.

[Deanne]

I wear a Fitbit to help me remember to take meds. I set timers on it and it vibrates on my wrist. It isn't as obtrusive as an alarm ringing. I don't need to watch the clock or try to remember on my own.

[Athena]

Thanks Deanne. I will just have to remember from now on. I saw my one of my Nephs today and although I didn't get my labs done in time for him to see what's really going on, he asked me to take 4 capsules a day from now on. It sounds like when acidosis emerges, it's kind of like no holds barrel type of war effort 

[cassandra]

I have also heard that there is strong evidence that sodium bicarbonate supplementation can slow progression of kidney disease but it's not something that is often mentioned.

Sodium bicarb is very cheap, so not much profit involved for 'the powers that be'

   

[Diet Guy]

Alkali therapy of metabolic acidosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with plasma total CO2 (TCO2) below 22 mmol/l per KDOQI guidelines appears to preserve estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).    Treatment of metabolic acidosis in patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease with fruits and vegetables or oral bicarbonate reduces urine angiotensinogen and preserves glomerular filtration rate.  Goraya N1, Simoni J2, Jo CH3, Wesson DE1. Kidney Int. 2014 Nov;86(5):1031-8.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24694986

[MuddyGurl]

Cassandra…agree..just BASIC info on NON patented meds is alarmingly low. My nephs are insistent there is no proof

I remember my kidney docs laughing (the a**!!) when I wanted to delay complete Nephrectomy while I recovered from a severe car accident, to gain some health by a dietary change..ie ate vegetarian, gained strength, lost weight… and got myself IMPROVED so if I needed the "big cut" requiring 6 weeks in the hospital I could SURVIVE it.

But they laughed and said I was "curing myself with herbs" ( right..broccoli is an 'herb?)   that is how LITTLE RESPECT there is for vegetables or any nutrition sought by the patient  in the USA by Nephs.     thankfully I fought,  lost weight, got healthy, and only needed a laprascopic surgery.

and now that I deal with CKD Stage 3-4  I am again facing THEIR limited views on diet and nutrition for health and stalling dialysis. sheesh.

he renal RD i saw pushed me to eat meat, but made me promise to cut out so many veggies..the truth is the meat knocks my function down, and I CAN eat those veggies if I drop the meat.. because my numbers for Potassium/Phos are NORMAL…really frustrating.

But MDs/RDS are forced to follow the current USDA guidelines ..but some Docs are asking for BETTER research before they enforce the same old rules on us.
Dr. Jeff Volek is well known for promoting a review of outmoded science foisted on Americans  as "good nutrition".

Demand that quality science determine the 2015 U.S. Dietary Guidelines

https://www.change.org/p/demand-that-quality-science-determine-the-2015-u-s-dietary-guidelines?tk=v06IZ2VT9h3lCxzXnUmOxiCjeqX3DaNLx1xl7X7XDDc&utm_source=petition_update&utm_medium=email