You know you're in trouble when.....

Your Doctor looks at your urine sample results and says "Oh No!...Oh No No No!!!....." Yep, I have really been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately..like I'm not doing well with food choices...not getting my protien in... I just can't drink protien without gagging... I can drink Slim Fast Low Carb okay..but can't seem to finish a can..mixing powder into food just makes the consistancy of the food terribly unappealing to me.. and the things I like to eat...fruit, salads... they have no nutritional value for me right now when I can't get my protien in... when I DO sit down to eat something.. I have to eat so slowly and such small bites that the food gets cold and then I don't want to fini**** I've just really felt like I'm not doing very well. I can't exercise like I want because I have such an irritable bowel... and yesterday I started getting terrible abdominal pain..by this morning it had gotten even worse and was radiating to my back on my left side. I also woke up with a yucky pink eye.. so I called my PCP and took some tylenol 3 with codine to take the edge off the pain. When I went to the Dr. they did a urine test and when the Dr. looked at the results she just kept saying "Oh no!!" My heart hit the floor... She said that the results were terrible... I have a severe kidney infection...and she said my protien was terrible, all the other results were terrible and there was 3% blood in my urine. She asked what I had been drinking and I said mostly water, ice tea and some crystal light. She was shocked with the crystal light.. she said I should not be drinking or eating ANYTHING with artificial sweetner..that it just sits in your kidney and builds up.. (has anybody else been told this?) She said that I also should not drink anything "black".. decaf coffee..diet cola...etc. She took some bloodwork and I have to go back in a week and depending on my results NEXT week she will decide if I need an ultrasound..but she's hoping with the antibiotics I will tackle the infection and if I do have any stones, I will pass them. (I also have conjuctivitis in my eye!) Sooooo...now I KNOW I'm not doing very well. I just don't know what to do with myself. I have my 3 month check up with my surgeon on the 20th... and I plan on talking to my nutritionist..but I'm feeling pretty defeated right now. I feel most of my food choices are wrong.. if I try to get my calories in, it seems like there is too much fat in my diet...if I try to concentrate on the protien, I don't get enough calories.. I'm trying to get my water in....and I'm just getting tired of thinking about it all ... sorry this is so long.. I just needed to vent and I wondered if any of you out there that recently were dealing with kidney stones had any advice to share..what were you told by the dr?? Now I'm taking tylenol 3 with codine, and antibiotics which are making me nauseous... *sigh*... Blessings, Kim

Kim - sorry you're having a hard time. I know about hard times too!!! I have just a few tips for you. Emotions - they're screwed up after surgery!!!! Knowing that helped me get through. When I got depressed about things it was good to know that it's all a part of this process. Now of course, if it's bad then go to the doctor and get some meds!! Eatting - you want to concentrate on your protein intake above fat right now. You should go in and talk with your NUT! They will be more able to select food choices that will help you the most right now. Drinking - I've never heard of no artificial sweatners. I personally get most of my fluids from water and de caf ice tea. But however and whatever - just get it in. Trust me on this, having to be in the hospital for dehydration SUCKS!!! I don't have kidney stone problems, so I can't help you there. Just wanted to encourage you. Things will get better. You will find what works for you and your body! It may not seem like it now, but things will get easier!!!! HUGS, Laurie

Kim I had a kidney infection earlier this year. It was horrible the pain was miserable. I am sorry that you are going through this right now. Hopefully the pain with subside and the you will start to feel better. I heard about the dark stuff but only from the stand point where we are not to drink anything with caffeine in it. I have not had a drink of pop or coffee since 3 days before my surgery. I miss it every once in awhile but I was told it works as an appetite suppressant and causes us to become full. I have never heard about the artificial sweetner thing though. My nutritionist has always recommended crystal light for us. I am pretty sure she probably drinks it too. Just what I have heard but different programs tell you different things. Suzanne

It sounds like you are having a really a tough time and no one can know how hard unless they've gone thru it, I will keep you in my prayers! Best of luck Kathryn

OMG Kim, You cannot go on like this. Please call Annette first thing in the morning. She can help and we all know she is more than happy and willing to help. You need to take care of yourself. It doesn't mater if you like the way the protein tastes or not you have to have it. I'm sorry you're in pain. I hope the antibiotics work for you. I have never heard that we can't have artificial sweetner or black drinks. I drink mostly Chrystal light with unflavored protein mixed in it. I'm having trouble with my food choices right now too. I never get enough fluids in or calories, or protein. I seem to get plenty of carbs though~the good kind from fruit, not chips. I do understand where you are coming from. Nothing appeals to me anymore, except bananas, peaches, watermelon and mushrooms. I have to force myself to eat/drink the protein. It may not be what we want, but its what we need. So go have some protein and get healthy. Hope you feel better soon. God bless you, Annette

I'm so sorry you're feeling so badly Kim! And wow, I had Dr. Carlin for my surgeon and no one there ever said we couldn't have crystal light. That's about all I drink and I have never had any problems with my kidneys at all. Was this your PCP or Dr. Carlin telling you not to drink it? Mmm....I'm curious. Let us know how you do! Theresa

Hey Kim, So sorry to hear about your problems. I can so relate to the protein issue. Here is what I do for protein. I eat A LOT of jerky. Wether it is turkey jerky or beef jerky. I get the ones that is a little thicker so it is a little more tender and easier to chew. Homemade is the best. For 3 oz. there is 45 grams of protein. I nibble that through out the day. Also, I eat about 1 oz. of cashews which has 5 gm. and I like the Southbeach diet cereal bars which have 10 gm. of protein. That is my 60 grams and not much food. I hate eating. Then I just have to make sure I drink. I LOVE iced tea with Splenda. The other things I might substitute for the nuts is yogurt. Or cottage cheese, string cheese stuff like that. Easy stuff and protein is in without much food. Can you do jerky? It is really easy for me cause I chew it until it is nothing. Give it a try. Keep us posted girl we are all going to worry about you! Hugs, Di

Things will get better! You are still fresh out and you will get better at making choices and getting the things you need. It will be easier to deal with the challenge of our journey once you are feeling better. Good luck, Mary