Dr found my kidneys are having problems

[ButWhatCanIEat]

I went to dr 2 weeks ago complaining of fatigue and my kidneys were operating at only 50% when he tested them. I was very shocked as I had never had a bad kidney test before. I've been dxed Celiac since late 2020, I have been VERY careful to avoid gluten (although there have been a few accidents, as we all have) and there is no gluten in my house as my wife also has a wheat allergy. I also avoid milk, and am mostly vegetarian so my protein intake is low. The doctor thinks it is because of NSAID use and now I cannot use those or stomach medications and I am having repeat bloodwork this week.

 

I'm feeling so discouraged as I read about further possible dietary restrictions that come with kidney disease. I feel like I'm being punished somehow but I don't know what I did wrong. I'm in pain all the time now and there is nothing I have for pain relief. My stomach hurts constantly due to celiac issues and I cannot take antacids. I just don't know what I'm going to do. I feel like this is the end.

[knitty kitty]

Sorry to hear about your health complications.  

For pain relief, I take high dose Thiamine Vitamin B 1, Pyridoxine Vitamin B 6, and Cobalamine Vitamin B12.  I can't take NSAIDs either. 

Here are articles from the National Institute of Health....

Analgesic and analgesia-potentiating action of B vitamins

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12799982/

And...

Mechanisms of action of vitamin B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin) in pain: a narrative review

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35156556/

Also, Thiamine (especially Benfotiamine) can help with kidney disease.  I have Type Two Diabetes as well as Celiac.  Diabetics lose lots of Thiamine in urine, so high dose Thiamine helps immensely.

Here are some more articles from NIH that you should discuss with your doctor.  

Benfotiamine Protects against Peritoneal and Kidney Damage in Peritoneal Dialysis

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3083313/

And...

The uremic toxin oxythiamine causes functional thiamine deficiency in end-stage renal disease by inhibiting transketolase activity

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27198804/

And...

Functional thiamine deficiency in end-stage renal disease: malnutrition despite ample nutrients

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5518601/

And...

Associations between early thiamine administration and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34392848/

And...

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Thiamin-HealthProfessional/

And...

Thiamine deficiency disorders: a clinical perspective

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33305487/

And...

Hiding in Plain Sight: Modern Thiamine Deficiency

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8533683/

Hope this helps!

Keep us posted on your progress!

[trents]

Can you take calcium carbonate-based antacids like TUMS? Also, I know that NSAIDS can stress the kidneys but what about Tylenol which is metabolized by the liver?

Edited June 19, 2023 by trents

[shadycharacter]

Egg white is alkaline. Not sure if that helps. One egg white contains about 4 g protein. How much protein a day can you eat? I suppose protein is one of the things that are restricted?

Apparently newly laid eggs are mildly alkaline, and then they get gradually more alkaline with time due to loss of carbon dioxide.

[knitty kitty]

Magnesium would be a better choice to help with the need for an antacid.

Not only is magnesium needed to work with Thiamine, magnesium has been shown to help with kidney failure.

Low serum magnesium is associated with faster decline in kidney function: the Dallas Heart Study experience

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6660364/

And...

Magnesium in Kidney Function and Disease-Implications for Aging and Sex-A Narrative Review

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37049550/

And...

Magnesium Administration in Chronic Kidney Disease

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9920010/

And...

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

[ButWhatCanIEat]

8 hours ago, trents said:

Can you take calcium carbonate-based antacids like TUMS? Also, I know that NSAIDS can stress the kidneys but what about Tylenol which is metabolized by the liver?

I haven't asked him about tylenol, I"m afraid to take anything right now. I will ask

36 minutes ago, knitty kitty said:

Magnesium would be a better choice to help with the need for an antacid.

Not only is magnesium needed to work with Thiamine, magnesium has been shown to help with kidney failure.

Low serum magnesium is associated with faster decline in kidney function: the Dallas Heart Study experience

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6660364/

And...

Magnesium in Kidney Function and Disease-Implications for Aging and Sex-A Narrative Review

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37049550/

And...

Magnesium Administration in Chronic Kidney Disease

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9920010/

And...

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

I do take magnesium daily, I find I cannot function at all without it, I get leg cramps and other problems if I miss a day

[knitty kitty]

Try taking Benfotiamine.  Thiamine and magnesium work together.  

NSAIDS cause continuing damage to the lining of the small intestine.  

Benfotiamine has been shown to help heal the digestive tract.

You may have developed vitamin and mineral deficiencies on a gluten free vegetarian diet.  

Thiamine, Pyridoxine B6 and Cobalamine B12 will help with pain.   

Edited June 19, 2023 by knitty kitty
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[shadycharacter]

31 minutes ago, ButWhatCanIEat said:

I haven't asked him about tylenol, I"m afraid to take anything right now. I will ask

I do take magnesium daily, I find I cannot function at all without it, I get leg cramps and other problems if I miss a day

Magnesium as magnesium hydroxide would double as antacid and supplement.

[knitty kitty]

Magnesium Glycinate is much more easily absorbed.

Magnesium hydroxide is not absorbed much.  It stays in the intestines and draws water into the intestines and you get diarrhea.  Magnesium hydroxide is in Milk of Magnesia, used for constipation relief.

 

[shadycharacter]

27 minutes ago, knitty kitty said:

Magnesium Glycinate is much more easily absorbed.

Magnesium hydroxide is not absorbed much.  It stays in the intestines and draws water into the intestines and you get diarrhea.  Magnesium hydroxide is in Milk of Magnesia, used for constipation relief.

 

I suppose it depends on how much is taken. The dose recommended as laxative is many times over the RDI. The dose used as antacid is more moderate. The important thing here is, I suppose, to not overload the kidneys.

[knitty kitty]

The dose recommended as a laxative is over the RDA because it doesn't get absorbed and stays in the digestive tract producing loose stools.

You want a form of magnesium that is better absorbed and useful to the body.

If you can't absorb sufficient magnesium, the body pulls magnesium out of the bones contributing to osteoporosis.

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

"Magnesium is a primary ingredient in some laxatives [18]. Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia®, for example, provides 500 mg elemental magnesium (as magnesium hydroxide) per tablespoon; the directions advise taking up to 4 tablespoons/day for adolescents and adults [19]. (Although such a dose of magnesium is well above the safe upper level, some of the magnesium is not absorbed because of the medication’s laxative effect.) Magnesium is also included in some remedies for heartburn and upset stomach due to acid indigestion [18]. Extra-strength Rolaids®, for example, provides 55 mg elemental magnesium (as magnesium hydroxide) per tablet [20], although Tums® is magnesium free [21]."

Edited June 19, 2023 by knitty kitty
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