DianneGardner's Journal, 20 July 2016

Do you have a kidney issue?  

How much protein have you been eating? Animal protein in excess is terrible for your kidneys.  

I have stage 3 kidney failure and yes animal protein and really any protein much over 21 grams daily for me is bad. I also have gout. Protein very hard on kidneys and bones. No one wants to hear that though. When I stay around 21 grams of protein I stay thin, uric acid level around 4. Just been struggling lately with overeating..vegan overeating..but overeating is overeating..Back down now and doing better. Made suicide attempt in 1965 with phenobarbital..was in a ckma for two weeks..dialysis did not exist then..so kidneys took a terrible hit trying to process all that narcotic load..really a stupid thing to do. Only reason I lived was my extreme youth. Was 17. So have had very diminished kidney function for a long time, high BP and gout.DO NOT TRY TO KILL YOURSELF THIS WAY. You just might as well live. We all have a very long time to be dead. 

OMG, that's sad. Yes, that's the truth.....we all have a very long time to be dead. I am assuming no dialysis yet for you since your protein intake is so restrictive. My mother has/had a kidney issue. Overtraining isn't great for kidneys either, e.g. excessive exercising. Protein is hard on the kidneys, but in excess. I don't think no one wants to hear it. If they aren't having a problem with their kidneys and/or a family history then there isn't going to be a great concern about it. Know what I mean? Do you follow a low purine diet? Have to watch the purines as well as the proteins.  

Kidney function good today. Creatinine was 1.0 which on GFR calculator puts me at 58. 60 which is normal. BP good, a little low, potassium low. Weighed 117 fully dressed. I do follow a low purine diet...I love beans but they don't love me. I am no longer suicidal. AA great for depression, self pity, self absorption....they are not much on the "there there dear, you poor thing approach"..they told me I got mercy, not justice. There is no other resource in the world like AA..if anyone has a drug or alcohol problem please call your local AA hotline. I was a strung out sleeping pill junkie and social worker back in 1984 and I got help in AA.  

You are doing well being that you've been dealing with this kidney issue for a while. You are very, very fortunate.  

I am very fortunate. How is your mom doing? How old is she?  

Mom is 82 and a little nutty at times, but she is still here. To this day they don't know why she had a kidney issue. They can't determine the cause. She was on dialysis for one week and then her kidneys started working again. What a lucky soul.......very blessed. 

That is amazing. Dialysis awful. My best friend has actually offered me a kidney as has my husband. Best friend is nurse...she really hates dialysis.