Guest guest Posted August 28, 2005 Report Share Posted August 28, 2005 My son , 18, was diagnosed last year with this disease. Through diet, bp meds and fish oil he has lowered all of his values to near normal levels...we are blessed...for now anyway. He leaves for college next week and I am especially worried about the amount of drinking that goes on on college campuses. His dr has told him that a few beers are not harmful, but I cannot help but think that will translate to some heavier consumption. Anyone here with some experienc in this area? Other college students? Worried Moms? I would love advice! a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2005 Report Share Posted August 28, 2005 Hi a Welcome to our group. I was about 23 or 24 when I was first diagnosed with a kidney problem. I certainly did my share of drinking during the rest of my 20's and 30's. If it had anything to do with my later starting dialysis at 49, I'll never know. I think it did have a negative effect on my blood pressure though. Other than that, I'll let other parents provide their point of view, since my college days are long past. Pierre question from new member > My son , 18, was diagnosed last year with this disease. Through diet, bp > meds and fish oil he has lowered all of his values to near normal > levels...we > are blessed...for now anyway. > > He leaves for college next week and I am especially worried about the > amount > of drinking that goes on on college campuses. His dr has told him that a > few beers are not harmful, but I cannot help but think that will > translate to > some heavier consumption. > > Anyone here with some experienc in this area? Other college students? > Worried Moms? I would love advice! > > a > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2005 Report Share Posted August 28, 2005 My son was diagnosed at 13 and was definitely losing kidney function through his college years until his transplant at 21. I'm sure he drank a fair amount, but I don't think he was ever a heavy drinker. Did drinking accelerate his lose of function? - perhaps, but we'll never know for sure. He had so much to struggle with in college, with fatigue, flare-ups, and the dreaded renal diet, that a beer now and then wasn't worth stressing over. I did tell him to be sure he calculated it into his phosphorus allotment. He found it ironic that the renal diet eliminated or restricted the very things most college students live on: pizza, beer, colas, hamburgers, french fries, candy bars, etc. He used to carefully budget his potassium intake so he could have one piece of pizza on Friday nights with the physics students club. Betsy > My son , 18, was diagnosed last year with this disease. Through > diet, bp > meds and fish oil he has lowered all of his values to near normal > levels...we > are blessed...for now anyway. > > He leaves for college next week and I am especially worried about > the amount > of drinking that goes on on college campuses. His dr has told him > that a > few beers are not harmful, but I cannot help but think that will > translate to > some heavier consumption. > > Anyone here with some experienc in this area? Other college > students? > Worried Moms? I would love advice! > > a > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2005 Report Share Posted August 29, 2005 Thanks, Betsy. Ben is not currently having dietary restrictions beyond limitation of protein to 80 mg per day. Tell me about the phosporous and potassium...I have not heard about that...yet. a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2005 Report Share Posted August 29, 2005 Hi a, A very warm welcome to you, but I am so sorry your son has been diagnosed so that you had a reason to find your way here. I have had IgAN since I was a young teen but I never drank very much at all in college. Unfortunately, your son has to decide that he wants to be protective of his health. I wish that was a decision parents could make for their children, but they can't. Hopefully he understands how serious IgAN can be and that will prompt him to make good decisions. On the other hand, since his function is so good, he will not be putting himself in immediate danger (kidney wise) if he does drink a bit too much on occasion. In a message dated 8/28/2005 10:36:40 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, rsbruns@... writes: My son , 18, was diagnosed last year with this disease. Through diet, bp meds and fish oil he has lowered all of his values to near normal levels...we are blessed...for now anyway. He leaves for college next week and I am especially worried about the amount of drinking that goes on on college campuses. His dr has told him that a few beers are not harmful, but I cannot help but think that will translate to some heavier consumption. Anyone here with some experienc in this area? Other college students? Worried Moms? I would love advice! a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2005 Report Share Posted August 29, 2005 Hi a, His levels may not be at a point where he needs to limit phosphorus or potassium. Normally that is around 30% function or so. In a message dated 8/29/2005 4:59:54 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, rsbruns@... writes: Tell me about the phosporous and potassium...I have not heard about that...yet. a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2005 Report Share Posted August 29, 2005 Don't worry about it until you have to. As kidney function declines, the kidneys are not able to filter out excess phosphorus and potassium as kidneys normally do. The nephrologist will monitor blood levels and let you know when his are getting high. Phosphorus can be reduced with a phosphate binder (like Tums), so that doesn't require as much dietary vigilance, but for potassium, it's necessary to eliminate or greatly reduce certain foods. You will get all this information when you need it. Betsy > Thanks, Betsy. Ben is not currently having dietary restrictions > beyond > limitation of protein to 80 mg per day. Tell me about the > phosporous and > potassium...I have not heard about that...yet. > > a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2005 Report Share Posted August 30, 2005 Hi a, Sorry your son has been diagnosed with IgAN. I hear your concern about drinking and the effect it may have on this disease. Fortunately my son does not have any chronic conditions...but I was still concerned when he went away to college. I think you can expect heavy drinking to occur. I'm just finding out, (3 years post-college), all that went on. I don't have an answer for you...but my gut tells me heavy drinking isn't good for anyone, especially those who are compromised with chronic illnesses. Hugs, Rita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2005 Report Share Posted August 30, 2005 Thanks, Rita. If anyone wants a glimpse into college life, trying reading Tom Wolf's I am Charlotte --IKES! I am well aware of the drinking lifestyles on most campuses, I am also aware of the poor choices one makes under the influence. That worries me not only as it relates to Ben's kidneys, but to his life in general. Silly me, I thought that hard part was paying tuition!!!! Thanks everyone for your kind and insightful answers. a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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