Lupus and the kidney

Hi

I would just like to ask anyone out there with lupus and kidney damage, what sort of diet works best for them..I have had Lupus for 18 years and unfortunately kidney damage was the result..I was 13yrs when diagnosed..I asked my doctor to explain to me what diet i should be following but they don't tell me anything..

My GFR is 40 and and has been so since the beginning..I do however see protein leaking in my urine, an eggy consitancy and thats worrying..I was wondering if changing your diet has any effect on this..my urea levels were also really high..

Would appreciate advice from anyone, what sort of diet are they on..has it improved things?

ange

Hi Judy

Thanks for your kind reply..I hope all is well with you..It a really tough thing dealing with renal failure..i find myself eating very little, hoping that it will stop the protein leakage.It makes no difference though..I think what you have said makes sense, when the damage is there, then you can't stop it.

are you on any ace inhibitors, that cuts the protein too.

Have you cut out all meat products??I was trying an ayurvedic product,its a syrup..It really cuts down the nephrotic syndrome syptoms.. bought this from india..while i'm taking it,i remain ok..My supply has run out..The medicine is called NEPHROL..

I looking into homeopatic treatments too..

Please keep in touch,stay well..ange

Hi Judy,
Prior to my transplant I tried to be on a low protein, low sodium and low phosphorous diet. It's mostly meats and beans, especially processed meats like hotdogs, brats, and (ugh) organ meats-like liver that are high in phosphorous. You can do a search on line to find out which foods you should avoid and which foods are good for you in kidney failure, both chronic and acute failure. I don't think we can suggest sites that advertise on here, but one of the top kidney dialysis organizations has tons of info about renal issues and what helps/hurts.
One practice that I've seen a lot of people do is to increase their potassium intake by using potassium products instead of salt, and this can be dangerous with those of us who have had kidney issues. Usually our potassium is low because of taking diuretics and the diuretics seem to flush the potassium out of our systems, but I have found that sometimes the potassium is high, esp with end-stage kidney failure, we just don't metabolize it the way we should. Therefore, taking extra potassium can get us in further trouble.
Having said all that, unless your doctor recommends that you start on a renal diet, I think the best thing to do is to maintain a nutritionally sound meal plan to make sure you get all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients we all need. Just my 2 cents! Good luck!
Lori