Homeopathic/Natural ....supplements?

[lrgh]

Let me be clear:  I am not look for alternatives to conventional medical treatment, I am trying to learn as much about my disease as possible, and plan to work closely with my doctors and do whatever treatment is necessary.  That said.....my hippie-ish friends keep telling me to look into homeopathic/natural remedies that might at least help......I'm stage 5 pre dialysis. Has anyone had any successful (or not successfull) experiences with herbs, yoga, or the like?

[PatDowns]

Let me be clear:  I am not look for alternatives to conventional medical treatment, I am trying to learn as much about my disease as possible, and plan to work closely with my doctors and do whatever treatment is necessary.  That said.....my hippie-ish friends keep telling me to look into homeopathic/natural remedies that might at least help......I'm stage 5 pre dialysis. Has anyone had any successful (or not successfull) experiences with herbs, yoga, or the like?

Where you are in the progression of renal failure, you need to be extremely careful of which herbs and supplements you begin to take.  At only 10% function, they - especially the herbs -  can cause more harm than good and add to the toxic build up in your body.   Nothing can replace scarred/damaged nephrons and glomeruli in the kidneys.  That said, some supplements like essential amino acids and magnesium can help.  But please get a renal professionals advice on the amounts to take.  As for yoga, that's a great form of exercise for relieving body and mind stressors.  Go for it!   

[charlesc]

Not exactly homeopathic but with a GFR of 11 or so below 20 for 6 years, I have become susceptible to bouts of gout in spite of daily ULORIC. I read that a lemon a day will aid in keeping the gout away and it has definitely helped. My anecdotal evidence.
I do take all of the supplements that the neph. prescribes.
I am NOT on dialysis and did have the fistula done 2 years ago.
CCC

[hatedialysis2]

For gout , have you tried tart cherry juice.?  You can get from health food store unsweetened

[charlesc]

Ihatedialysis2,

I looked at cherry juice and do like it but it is high in POTASIUM and I must limit that at all costs.

I have found that Rice "milk" drink is a passable sub. for real milk even in puddings, had some of the latter tonight!

CCC

[Charlie B53]

Re-Read PatDowns post, he laid out THE most important points you need to rely on.

Your Neph can advise you which herbs can be beneficial, or detrimental.  The Neph may refer you to a nutritionist well versed in Renal requirements.

Controlling stress is a major factor in relieving body tensions, allowing the body to recover and heal as much as possible.  Unfortunately kidney damage is most likely NOT repairable, but it will slow the rate of digression, giving you more time before dialysis may be needed.


lol  Where would I be without 'spell check'?  My fat fingers hitting two keys at a time, or too heavy and a letter repeating, often.   If I knew that programmer I would have to sent them a 'Thank You' card.

Take Care,

Charlie B53

[hatedialysis2]

charleSC, you might want to check the tart cherry in capsule form.  I know Solgar makes them and they are a reputable company.   There are others, I would have searched for you but short on time.    Once you find the brand you like, call the manufacturer and they can lookup the potassium levels per suggested serving.

As for kidnyey regeneration  , Please checkout this link   https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2014/06/adult-kidneys-constantly-grow.html    .   As far as I know ( I  am just learning here, not an expert) every cell in the body regenerates into healthy cells given the right nutrients and conditions.   The link above dispells the old belief that kidney cells do not regenerate. 

[kristina]

Let me be clear:  I am not look for alternatives to conventional medical treatment, I am trying to learn as much about my disease as possible, and plan to work closely with my doctors and do whatever treatment is necessary.  That said.....my hippie-ish friends keep telling me to look into homeopathic/natural remedies that might at least help......I'm stage 5 pre dialysis. Has anyone had any successful (or not successfull) experiences with herbs, yoga, or the like?

Hello lrgh,
I don't know anything about yoga at all (tried it once or twice but somehow it did not "fit with me" comfortably ...
What really helps me a lot, is to start my day by listening to another record of wonderful smoothing instrumental baroque-music during breakfast ...
(My husband and I have collected over the years many baroque-LP's from many local Charity shops and my husband has become an expert in cleaning the LP's so that they sound as if they are brand new ... good thing about collecting classical LP's is the fact that during the 1950's to the 1970's all record-labels had the very best sound-engineers imaginable and it clearly shows in the superiour quality of the recordings!!! ...
...And I still eat (started ~ in 2006) every day 3-4 cooked (12-15 mins) asparagus at lunchtime as a natural diuretic and my "two little fighters" (my kidneys) continue to be inspired by these asparagus and continue to function (touch wood that it continues for a long time to come !!!). I also drink every day (since 1971) a small cup of peppermint tea with a little sugar and that cup of peppermint tea also seems to assist my "two little fighters" to continue with their function... And then I drink every day one glass of fresh lime juice mixed with filtered water ... Fresh lime juice is well known as being very supportive to fragile kidneys  ... I also cook every day fresh food and fresh vegetables and keep myself as fit as is possible by going for regular walks whenever I can...
I have been on dialysis for over one year now and the above mentioned little tricks still help me a lot and since I have been put on the kidney-transplant-waiting-list, my hope is that my "two little fighters" continue to function until my transplant finally "comes along" ...
I wish you good luck and all the best from Kristina.

[MuddyGurl]

Hi LRGH..DANG  just lost an entire long email with links and everything because this site  closed up.

OK will rewrite it and send directly to you.

I found that what PutDowns mentioned "essential amino acids" can make a real difference, along with the right nutrition..in a specific diet.
Please also look for Dr. Mckenzie Walser's book Coping with Kidney Disease..you may have options to stall need for dialysis yet. Walser has passed on, but his 45 years of research and studies continue worldwide..I've learned a lot that helped me raise my GFR because of him.

Bless your hippie friends.maybe they believe "Let food be your medicine" as Hippocrates advised..an ideal diet can do nothing BUT HELP you, and support health, whatever the doctors and treatments are. A bad diet will harm, and we all have very little room for errors.