Kidney Function

[Guest guest]

The things I know of that help the kidneys are taurine, antioxidants

and androgens. You don't want to give androgens to children anyway,

you should be feeding them lots of antioxidants on general principles,

and most of them will tolerate taurine. Some with severely messed up

sulfur metabolism won't. Taurine is measured on the amino acid

panels, so you can check it if you have had those done.

Andy

--- In egroups, Moria Merriweather <moriam@e...>

wrote:

> Hi YB and list,

>

> Regarding kidneys, a different direction to think about

> would be how to strengthen/assist the kidneys. As with

> most things, there are lots of herbs and foods that can

> help with this.

>

> If you'd like I could do some looking through books I have

> on herbs, juices, and foods (as medicine) and see what

> they have to say.

>

> I know that watermelon and cranberries are both great for

> urinary stuff, but I forget whether they are kidney or

> bladder..... (my memory is not terrific .)

>

> Let me know if you think this would be a useful direction

> to explore.

>

> By the way, I'm NOT saying the question of whether something

> is damaging is not important, or worth concern. This is just

> another thing to think about in such a case

>

> I also think that doing some kidney and liver and bowel

> cleansing from time to time is a good idea (even if there

> is no specific " problem " that we are treating).

>

> Moria

>

> Message: 12

> Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2001 07:31:12 -0000

> From: " YB " <ybrobst@h...>

> Subject: Has anybody finished with chelating?

>

> I have heard that after several rounds or years of chelating, the

> individual may develop kidney problems.

> <snip>

> How can we assure that DMSA is not indeed doing a very slow kidney

or

> other organ damage along the way? Are we testing these organs

> affected periodically while chelating?

> <sni

[Guest guest]

Dana,

I don't know if this would help your daughter, but Jill Harrington has written a

book called the Lupus Recovery Diet which she claims has helped many people

avoid kidney dialysis, including herself. Kidney problems are a biggie with

Lupus. Although I have Lupus, I haven't had any diagnosed kidney problems. I

was on the diet for about 8 months. My all-over pain pretty much disappeared

and I had great energy. I did modify the diet after the 8 months because I was

beginning to have either protein deficiency or anemia issues. But many people,

whose stories Jill tells, have stayed on the diet long term, as she has. The

diet is basically vegetables (including legumes), fruit and nuts. No animal

products, no extra fats, no grains. (As a side note, after 8 months on this

diet, I could consume gluten again without the flare-ups it caused before.)

I know adding another diet change makes me want to groan...but if you'd like to

take a look: http://www.lupusrecovery.com/

Jen B

[ ] Kidney Function

My SIL has been diagnosed with reduced kidney function. Her doctor is

talking about dialysis. She has had part of her thyroid removed, so

she takes thyroid medication. She also has multiple food issues, and

asthma, caused by a flu shot several years ago.

Chelation is not an option right now. Anyone know of any supplements

that might help with kidney function?

Thanks

Dana

[Guest guest]

Mom, click on the link, in blue on my screen, lupusrecovery...

Anyway....interesting conversation here about diet, kidney, lupus....

Tammy

[ ] Kidney Function

My SIL has been diagnosed with reduced kidney function. Her doctor is

talking about dialysis. She has had part of her thyroid removed, so

she takes thyroid medication. She also has multiple food issues, and

asthma, caused by a flu shot several years ago.

Chelation is not an option right now. Anyone know of any supplements

that might help with kidney function?

Thanks

Dana

[Guest guest]

>

> Dana,

> I don't know if this would help your daughter,

It is for my SIL, not for my daughter.

But I will print out your message and give it to her. Thanks

Dana

[Guest guest]

>

> My SIL has been diagnosed with reduced kidney function. Her doctor is

> talking about dialysis. She has had part of her thyroid removed, so

> she takes thyroid medication. She also has multiple food issues, and

> asthma, caused by a flu shot several years ago.

>

> Chelation is not an option right now. Anyone know of any supplements

> that might help with kidney function?

>

> Thanks

>

> Dana

>

Yes, I really do know: watermelon. LOTS of watermelon, and

watermelon juice. People tend to think I'm kidding about this

but I'm not. If she's serious about getting through this problem,

find out how long you can still get watermelons from South

America yet. Watermelon is a Chinese Herb that is a " specific "

for kidneys. That's so that you can look for more info on that

if you wish.

Other than that, you can call Dr. Schulze / American Botanical

Pharmacy and ask them to send you some of their free advertising

publications (and tell them it is for kidney disease). They sell

kidney cleanse herbs and they collect up tons of testimonials from

customers (including stuff like people who needed dialysis and

are much improved etc.)

If it were me and summer, I would go on a mostly-watermelon diet

for a while.

Other things that are likely to help are acupuncture and

supervised water fasting. (I can recommend places to go for

the latter.)

best,

Moria

[Guest guest]

Dana...Watermelon and kidney function are both on my " radar. " Doing

some initial hunting, alternatives and/or how it works - Looks like

there are ideas for supp/herb support at this page, at the bottom.

This also has a really good overview of kidney function.

http://www.tuberose.com/Kidneys.html

wishing you the best, elizabeth

> >

> > My SIL has been diagnosed with reduced kidney function. Her doctor is

> > talking about dialysis. She has had part of her thyroid removed, so

> > she takes thyroid medication. She also has multiple food issues, and

> > asthma, caused by a flu shot several years ago.

> >

> > Chelation is not an option right now. Anyone know of any supplements

> > that might help with kidney function?

> >

> > Thanks

> >

> > Dana

> >

>

> Yes, I really do know: watermelon. LOTS of watermelon, and

> watermelon juice. People tend to think I'm kidding about this

> but I'm not. If she's serious about getting through this problem,

> find out how long you can still get watermelons from South

> America yet. Watermelon is a Chinese Herb that is a " specific "

> for kidneys. That's so that you can look for more info on that

> if you wish.

>

> Other than that, you can call Dr. Schulze / American Botanical

> Pharmacy and ask them to send you some of their free advertising

> publications (and tell them it is for kidney disease). They sell

> kidney cleanse herbs and they collect up tons of testimonials from

> customers (including stuff like people who needed dialysis and

> are much improved etc.)

>

> If it were me and summer, I would go on a mostly-watermelon diet

> for a while.

>

> Other things that are likely to help are acupuncture and

> supervised water fasting. (I can recommend places to go for

> the latter.)

>

> best,

> Moria

>

[Guest guest]

My husband is down to one kidney, so what I know from our experience.

I'll add to what others have said by noting that pain relievers like

Tylenol, Motrin, etc., should be avoided as they will stress the

kidney. We only do real aspirin, and only if in a real need. Lots of

good filtered water is a must too. We've found that most

pharmaceuticals affect kidney function, that could be including her

thyroid meds. My mom switched to a natural thyroid supplement and saw

great improvement, no side effects, and can even reduce and go without

at times. She got it from a chiro initially and then an ND - thyrolate

is the name that comes to mind, but that may not be it.

I hope you find good info to give her and help her out.

P

>

>

> >

> >

> > >

> > > My SIL has been diagnosed with reduced kidney function. Her doctor is

> > > talking about dialysis. She has had part of her thyroid removed, so

> > > she takes thyroid medication. She also has multiple food issues, and

> > > asthma, caused by a flu shot several years ago.

> > >

> > > Chelation is not an option right now. Anyone know of any supplements

> > > that might help with kidney function?

> > >

> > > Thanks

> > >

> > > Dana

> > >

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

When my son was born, I had been induced (b/c of hurricane) and on an

IV for 2 days and then had a c-section. I was so swollen that I was

heavier after his birth than when I went into the hospital. My feet

were enormous and I could not stand. Ten days later, I was just as

bad. Someone told me to eat watermelon. I ate watermellon for 3

days and lost 30 pounds! It definitely gets the kidneys working.

Caryn

> > > >

> > > > My SIL has been diagnosed with reduced kidney function. Her

doctor is

> > > > talking about dialysis. She has had part of her thyroid

removed, so

> > > > she takes thyroid medication. She also has multiple food

issues, and

> > > > asthma, caused by a flu shot several years ago.

> > > >

> > > > Chelation is not an option right now. Anyone know of any

supplements

> > > > that might help with kidney function?

> > > >

> > > > Thanks

> > > >

> > > > Dana

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Dana and others interested,

Boy did I miss one. I was so focused on what to TAKE/eat to

help that I completely forgot to say the other REALLY IMPORTANT

thing.

Eating a " normal " diet will stress kidneys out big time.

It's too much protein, and the process and break-down products

from protein are very tough for the kidneys. One very basis

and very crucial step for kidney problems is a lower protein

diet. This does NOT mean a protein deficient diet -- it means

a protein adequate diet --- just not excessive protein like

many/most people are eating without realizing it.

I realize that what I just said may be disturbing, since most of

us grew up with the idea the protein is good and we should all

be concerned about getting enough (not concerned about getting

too much).

Books to read for more info on this:

McDougall's Medicine by McDougall MD (this book is arranged

with a chapter for each major disease, so you can read just the

chapter on kidney disease, which may be convenient.)

Anything by Dean Ornish MD, Neal Barnard MD, McDougall MD,

or Furhman MD. Also " Diet for a New America " by

Robbins (who is NOT an MD).

I could get more specific about books if you want. Any of those

should be good -- I personally prefer Dean Ornish and

Furhman based on writing style and some personality stuff.

But " McDougall's Medicine " is easy to recommend because there's

just one chapter to read to introduce the main ideas.

If you get the advertising info from American Botanical Pharmacy

(Dr. Schulze) == that will also say that low protein is very

important for kidney disease. All or most of these writers will

also talk about the incidence of kidney disease as very tied to

diet -- and all of them will recommend a mostly plant diet (with

little or no meat/fish/dairy/eggs).

There are also lots of other herbs (besides watermelon) that

are good for kidneys. I suggested one place to get info

(Dr. Schulze) -- but consulting with an herbalist or with books

are both also perfectly reasonable ideas.

best,

Moria

> >

> > My SIL has been diagnosed with reduced kidney function. Her doctor is

> > talking about dialysis. She has had part of her thyroid removed, so

> > she takes thyroid medication. She also has multiple food issues, and

> > asthma, caused by a flu shot several years ago.

> >

> > Chelation is not an option right now. Anyone know of any supplements

> > that might help with kidney function?

> >

> > Thanks

> >

> > Dana

> >

>

> Yes, I really do know: watermelon. LOTS of watermelon, and

> watermelon juice. People tend to think I'm kidding about this

> but I'm not. If she's serious about getting through this problem,

> find out how long you can still get watermelons from South

> America yet. Watermelon is a Chinese Herb that is a " specific "

> for kidneys. That's so that you can look for more info on that

> if you wish.

>

> Other than that, you can call Dr. Schulze / American Botanical

> Pharmacy and ask them to send you some of their free advertising

> publications (and tell them it is for kidney disease). They sell

> kidney cleanse herbs and they collect up tons of testimonials from

> customers (including stuff like people who needed dialysis and

> are much improved etc.)

>

> If it were me and summer, I would go on a mostly-watermelon diet

> for a while.

>

> Other things that are likely to help are acupuncture and

> supervised water fasting. (I can recommend places to go for

> the latter.)

>

> best,

> Moria

>

[Guest guest]

>

> My SIL has been diagnosed with reduced kidney function. Her doctor is

> talking about dialysis. She has had part of her thyroid removed, so

> she takes thyroid medication.

Since someone else suggested that the thyroid medication might be a

problem for the kidneys, I will suggest coconut oil and sea salt as a

natural form of thyroid support. There are also remarks on my website

about coping with withdrawal, in case she needs some help getting off

the drug: http://healthgazelle.org/withdrawal.shtml

Michele

http://www.healthgazelle.org

http://www.kidslikemine.org

http://www.solanorail.org

[Guest guest]

Moria - thank you for expanding on this. I do have Dr. Schultz on

list of things/people to check into, adding others mentioned too -

will bump it up a notch. Trying to see if I can get my head wrapped

around these connected idea, while I can (and!) before I get

sidetracked by all my other tangents going on ...wishing you the

best, elizabeth

ps...being more specific about your favorite books on this would be

good

> > >

> > > My SIL has been diagnosed with reduced kidney function. Her

doctor is

> > > talking about dialysis. She has had part of her thyroid removed, so

> > > she takes thyroid medication. She also has multiple food

issues, and

> > > asthma, caused by a flu shot several years ago.

> > >

> > > Chelation is not an option right now. Anyone know of any

supplements

> > > that might help with kidney function?

> > >

> > > Thanks

> > >

> > > Dana

> > >

> >

> > Yes, I really do know: watermelon. LOTS of watermelon, and

> > watermelon juice. People tend to think I'm kidding about this

> > but I'm not. If she's serious about getting through this problem,

> > find out how long you can still get watermelons from South

> > America yet. Watermelon is a Chinese Herb that is a " specific "

> > for kidneys. That's so that you can look for more info on that

> > if you wish.

> >

> > Other than that, you can call Dr. Schulze / American Botanical

> > Pharmacy and ask them to send you some of their free advertising

> > publications (and tell them it is for kidney disease). They sell

> > kidney cleanse herbs and they collect up tons of testimonials from

> > customers (including stuff like people who needed dialysis and

> > are much improved etc.)

> >

> > If it were me and summer, I would go on a mostly-watermelon diet

> > for a while.

> >

> > Other things that are likely to help are acupuncture and

> > supervised water fasting. (I can recommend places to go for

> > the latter.)

> >

> > best,

> > Moria

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Lottie --

So sorry to hear about your kidney function. The one thing I do know is that

your kidneys have a lot of " redundancy " built in. I have transcribed reports on

people with a creatinine of 12--now that is not to say they were exactly well,

but you can see that you do have some wiggle room there! The hospital where I

work (Virginia Mason) sees some of the sickest people and does a lot of kidney

transplants, so these are extreme cases. However, I definitely would see a

nephrologist, if I were you, though, just to make sure you get a plan of

treatment in place that will protect your kidney function and keep this

condition from progressing any further. My kidneys are also a bit on the shaky

side in terms of function, and one of the things I have noticed is increased

levels of protein in my urine as well. So y'all take care! Just do all the smart

things you know to do, drink loads of water, and don't party too hard during

Mardi Gras! We didn't get the day off up here--I had to work and would much

rather have been partying down in New Orleans! I bet it was something! I've

never been.

Take care, Lottie. Big hugs! We're still eating your gumbo about 2 or 3 times

a month up here in Rainy Seattle! We're having the warmest January/February in

quite some time--in the 60s which is amazingly warm for us at this time of year.

Our crocuses are all blooming. I am used to 40 and raining, and we have 60 and

raining, so I'm happy! I still have those big sweats going on. Nothing seems

to help them.

Good thoughts coming your way...

Vicki

>

> Last week, Mc posted a timely article on how and when to change doctors.

I was in the process of changing mine and saw my new local oncologist for the

first time. Not only did he apologize for the way I was treated by the other

doctor, he promised that it would never happen under his watch. Two days later

he called to tell me that my creatinine serum level was 2.3. Last June it was

l.6 and in July it was 1.9. He also informed me that my potassium was too high

and that I should stop eating bananas. I was wondering if there was a

connection between the two.

>

> I started taking my B/P and it was 175 to 190 today. I had stopped taking it

for a few months, because it was moderate. He is making arrangements for me to

see a nephrologist. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this. He

ordered a one-time medication, but Rite Aide didn't have it and won't until

Tuesday or Wednesday. Not sure what it is, but I didn't ask because I believed

I would have it the same day. Today was President's Day and tomorrow is Mardi

Gras, so all offices will be closed; in fact the government offices were closed

on Monday and Tuesday. From what I read it sounds like the beginning of renal

failure. Any suggestions?

>

> Hands & hearts,

> Lottie Duthu

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have trouble with my kidneys too. I had to stop the Enbrel in March due to

my liver then I got the news about my kidneys. I was given knee braces and elbow

sleeves to help but I can no longer take the meds. The doctors will tell you its

not from the meds but it is. The only thing to do now is try and find a natural,

homeopathic approach to controlling PsA and the organ damage