So Sick

I'm just needing a little love and empathy. i am soooo sick. i a dealing with kidney stones and although i think i passed it, I have been told I will have to alter my diet. My favorite healthy foods, like nuts, spinach, zuccini and many other vegies and fruits have to be eliminated or dereased as the oxalates in hem is what caused the stone. BOO HOO. I'm not huge on meat and of course those have no oxolates. I just can't seem o get my strength back or feel rested. I'm nauseaus and should be at work but called off. I need to get better and fast. In 3 weeks I have major surgery consisting of a hernia repair, hysterectomy and Tummy Tuck...oh yes, just learned i have gall stones as well. Sorry to whine, just feeling really blah! Thanks for listening and prayers are always welcomed. Melinda

Life is throwing a lot at you right now. You are always welcome to whine to us and expect our support during the hard times. I hope you will soon be feeling great and ready to meet the new challenges that will come with your surgery in 3 weeks. The Tummy Tuck should give you a boost once you get past the discomfort from surgeries. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Melinda, We just had a kidney specialist talk to our support group. One thing he said that can help to reduce kidney stones is citric acid. He said to put 2 oz of Real Lemon bottled juice into a large glass of water and drink it twice a day. The citric acid will help reduce formation of stones. Also, increase your overall fluid intake too. Feel better, Kathy

thanks Kathy and PAt. I remember your comment from a previous whine session I had Kathy and have been doing the lemon water. i am feeling better today. I hated to call in sick Friday, but i did anyway and spent the whole day sleeping. I'm feeling stronger everyday. I will be ready for the upcoming surgeries. I guess I am just amazed....that this surgery can cause problems a little down the line. I don't know why i am amazed it has totally changed my body chemistry. I just hope there are no further problems. Thanks for your support. I hoope you both are feeling and doing great!. BLESSINGS, Melinda

WOW, you have a lot going on--sorry you're so sick. I know it won't make you feel better, but I think we were all headed for some heavy medical stuff before we had WLS. Anyway, I know I was and was headed for a shortened life span. I sure hope you get some relief soon. Whining is good for you!

eating a lot of meat or excess proteins can in fact cause stones. the best prevention is drinking enough water to pee clear every day. the worst foods according to an article I got from a dietician (after one of my more than 20 stones, I lost count, 2 lithotrypsies and several stents) spinach, nuts, strawberries, wheat germ, chocolate (WTF!!!) tea, rhubarb, cranberries. the urologist told me to focus more on water intake than anything, to drink enough to pee 3 liters a day. He also did a 24 hour urine collection, to test various levels of stuff in my urine, and prescribed meds based on the results of the urine test to decrease my risk. he also told me to only take in a moderate level of protein. If you have not seen a urologist, it would be worth the trip to get the input. I have found that sometimes PCP's are not up on the latest treatments for specialized problems.

Thanks Willow for the reply. 20 stones, poor you and i thought 1 was bad. I am seeing a urologist who is sending me to a nephrologist for the dietary changes i need to make. Yes, it stinks that the healthy food causes stones, I love spinach and whole grains and strawberries! I really need to focus on teh water. I like tea and it seems this is very bad too, so now i a looking for alernative ways to get in the fluid. I'm sorry you hve sufferred so many stones, but i'm glad i am not aone. Have all your stones been since your astic bypass? Thanks again Willow, let me ask what are your main food staples now? Peace, Meinda

hello there.. please don't lose hope and faith in the new new. i had wls june 06 and have lost 75 lbs. i had a hx of those wonderful stones before surgery and after. i know that it is a challenge to drink all tha****er.i have found that crystal lite fruit punch packets is very good. a urologist who had this wls about 4-5 years ago talked to me before i hd it done and he said that he is so glad he did it and thta drinking the water was the key.i have been told the extra residue stays there like the bottom of a cup of coffee andit is best to get a sample of your stones analyzed. i wish you great luck and am glad for this website..i am from miss...shereen

I drink herbal teas that dont seem to have the oxylates regualr tea does. chamomile, etc, look at the store for herbal teas and you will find a million of them. I drink green tea, but dont know if it is on the bad list like regualr tea tho. water is best, crystal ite lemonade, I strongly recommend avoid beverages with calories, they add up way too fast. I eat most everything in moderation. I should qualify that, healthy whole foods for 98% of the time. If I want spiich in my omlet today, I have it, but not every day or even every week and i drink extra water to flush my kidneys. My general diet is (portion sizes in brackets) 6 oz meat/fish/chicken a day, 3 servings dairy (1 cup milk, or yogurt or cottage cheese, or 1 oz cheese) , at least 2-3 veggies (1/2 c cooked,, 1 cup raw or 2 cups green leafy stuff) , 2-3 fruits, ( I buy the smallest size apples, pears oranges, etc, 1/2-1 cup cut up fruit, strwberries, blue berries etc. I eat a banana every day) 2-4 whole grain breads or cereals (1/2 c kashi, oatmeal, 1 small slice whole wheat bread, 1 mini bagel, 1/2 a pita pocket, 1 small 6 " whole wheat tortilla.) I divide it up over 6 meals a day. most of my stones are pre gastric by pass, I have only passed a couple post op.