protien shake gluten and soy free

Blessings2011

To answer Glennie's question - yes, vegan protein is much easier on the kidneys than animal protein.

SpecialK - that was an interesting article, but I found several glaring errors in it. The description of how GFR (glomerulofiltration rate) is measured was WAY off, according to the way most labs in the US do it.... and it's a fairly common test. DH has all those tests every two to four weeks.

The reason I am familiar with all these tests is because my husband has incurable kidney disease, and has defied the odds for the past three years.

The easiest type of protein for the kidneys to process is vegan. The absolute hardest to process, (as well as causing the most inflammation in the body) is red meat.

It was ironic that he was diagnosed with his disease just a few months before I was dx'd with BC. However, he had been misdiagnosed, and mistreated by the PCP for nine months before his condition was properly identified. He'd had no symptoms at all. During that undiagnosed time, he suffered additional damage to the kidneys by eating too much - and the wrong type - of protein.

And there I was, after surgery, trying to get in 100 mg of protein a day!

The only point I'm trying to make here is that when increasing your protein intake significantly, or relying on animal proteins, it would be a good idea to make sure your kidney function is normal first.

I agree with the 100 mg of protein a day suggestion. I believe it helped me heal more quickly, and made me feel better. Since most of us have normal kidney function, this shouldn't be a problem. But for someone who does have kidney issues, (or whose kidney function has never been tested) labwork is definitely warranted.

glennie19

Blessings:  thank you for the information. My kidney function is OK, per last labs.  I did not know that one should increase their protein intake while healing from surgery!  Guess I will know for next time.

Sorry to hear hubby has kidney disease, that is rough.  Is he on dialysis?

SpecialK

blessings - thank you for clarifying - I linked the article because it seemed to address the question brought up earlier, but I appreciate that because you have specialized knowledge you are able to provide additional info - I am just sorry that you know about this due to your DH's medical issue.  Also sorry that he was not successfully treated earlier - how frustrating for you both!  I think it is also important to note this for those that have surgery after chemo, either exchange, or their initial cancer surgery due to neoadjuvent chemo, that the kidneys may still be compromised from so recently filtering chemotherapeutic agents, so eating too much animal protein in an effort to provide ideal healing could be problematic.

Blessings2011

glennie - you are very welcome. No, he's not on dialysis, but many people with his condition are, and it's a definite possibility down the line should he relapse. He was one of the fortunate ones... he responded immediately to the very toxic drugs they treated him with, aggressively, in the beginning. (Kind of like chemo, I guess....) Thankfully, he is in partial remission now. Thanks for asking.

SpecialK - I always appreciate the info you post! Yes, that "error" on the part of that PCP was inexcusable. Needless to say, we fired him. Now we have an awesome PCP and an awesome Nephrologist. But kind of like bemoaning the fact that BC wasn't caught earlier, what's done is done, and now we both are in the "Total Body Health" mode.

Thanks for adding the info about chemo. I didn't have it, and could never speak to all the myriad issues surrounding it. You're right.... everything gets filtered through the kidneys.... and I can only imagine what effects the different drugs might have.

We always see the advice "Be sure to eat 100 mg of protein a day after surgery!" Perhaps that statement should come with a disclaimer.

Are kidney function tests routine for women undergoing or just finishing chemo?

SpecialK

blessings - from what I have seen at my center everyone undergoing chemo has fairly regular CMP (complete metabolic panel) testing done at intervals before, during and after. I would assume that holds true for most chemo patients since the toxicity of most chemo agents can damage organs, and oncs should be continually assessing.  If people are not having CMP done they should inquire about it.  I had EFGR testing done regularly as well, and continue to have all of this testing, plus CA 27/29 and CEA (tumor markers), Vitamin D level and a CBC (complete blood count) done every six months even though I finished chemo in June of 2011.  I am fortunate to have a doc who orders this stuff, in contradiction of the ASCO guidelines, and an insurance company that covers it.

bethq

Blessings I was just wondering if you were vegan? Any vegans out there?

glennie19

I've not had chemo, but my onc does blood work every 6 months just to check up on things. I would think if you are having chemo, you would get checked more often.  At my hospital, there is always a CBC before chemo to make sure your WBC, etc has not dropped and you can handle the chemo.

glennie19

Blessings:  glad he is in partial remission!!  That is good news! I have a friend who does dialysis 3 times a week. It was very rough in the beginning, but he has stablized now, and doing better,, although he will always need to be on dialysis.