renal failure

[Tiam]

Anyone here have experience with alternate forms of treating renal failure. Not me. And the renal glands/kidneys haven't failed yet, but rather the patient is now on a "renal diet". I was wondering what kinds of things people are familiar with in terms of homeopathy, herbology, etc.??

[JaneV2.0]

There's this: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/222845.php
A ketogenic diet for diabetes-related kidney failure.

Many pharmaceutical drugs adversely affect the kidneys--you might want to review any drug intake.
Then there's this--baking soda therapy:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1200287/Daily-dose-baking-soda-stop-kidney-patients-needing-dialysis.html#ixzz2o8kqkuoa

[bae]

Well, in terms of homeopathy, I believe the practice is complete bunk, you might as well pray for the Flying Spaghetti Monster to cure you.

[cdttmm]

Hmmm...I've treated a dog and two cats with renal failure, so not really the same thing. But I've been told all three times that a change in diet (low protein) and fluid support (essentially the pet version of dialysis) were the two things that could be done. Once the patient became anemic, which is common in renal failure pets, iron supplements may help them to feel better. With the dog we did experimental EPO injections, which seemed to help near the end. With one cat we considered a kidney transplant, but didn't pursue it due to a variety of factors. We didn't find any homeopathic options to pursue...mostly because so many things have to be flushed through the kidneys and you don't want to risk anything doing additional damage once the kidneys have started to fail.

Best of luck during this difficult time.

[CathyA]

I think keeping salt intake low is important too, along with the low protein.

[Gardenarian]

Well, in terms of homeopathy, I believe the practice is complete bunk, you might as well pray for the Flying Spaghetti Monster to cure you.

I completely agree with you, but tried some homeopathic pills once when I was at my wit's end - and they worked. I don't believe in it at all; it goes against all rules of logic, common sense, and science. I can only think there is some weird placebo effect at work?

[bae]

I can only think there is some weird placebo effect at work?

Exactly. Not weird though, it's the "normal" placebo effect. The human mind is pretty powerful, and if you can trick it into working for you, you win :-)

[frugal-one]

I have used homeopathic remedies with great success (especially arnica for surgery .... ie reducing bruising and swelling). Also, MagPhos for heart arthymia (spell?) and tic/twitches of any kind. There is a wonderful book called "Homeopathy Made Simple" by Dr. R Donald Papon that is a wonderful reference.

Bae... we heard your thoughts so don't bother responding to this post!

[bae]

Bae... we heard your thoughts so don't bother responding to this post!

You are not the boss of me.

http://www.ted.com/talks/james_randi.html

[JaneV2.0]

I never pay any attention to professional skeptics; they're every bit as tiresome as people who will believe anything.

[rodeosweetheart]

A friend of mine in high school got a summer job as Randi's assistant. Thanks for bringing back memories of t he good old days.