Hi there and welcome to our pkd support family. First off I need for you to know that you are not alone. We are all here for you!! Always...!!!
I have high blood pressure and am a diabetic type2 and pkd along with other health issues.
Inspite of it all I am here to tell you it IS "doable". Is it scary and frustrating? Yes, very much so. Overwhelming to say the least, but we are here to help guide you along this learning process.
Take a deep breath and get focused on learning how to be your best health advocate.
A good place to start is understanding any disease. Knowledge is power!
Blood pressure.........sodium. What to learn? Reading labels for sodium content and learning where it can be found. You will be amazed to see where it can be found.
ALL canned veggies.....canned foods of any sort.
With Diabetes........... it is a good idea to elimenate all white foods. Especially pastas,rice and white breads.
There is a great support group on msn for diabetes. Let me know and I will give you the address ok.
Stress.....is a big factor for high bp and diabetes.
When my Nephrologist and Endocrologist suggested I try to "de-stress" I was histerical with laughter. At the time our 3 daughters were young teens and raising cane in many ways lol. So stress was a daily part of our lives around here. Through everyone here I learned many new techniques on how to deal with everything. Although it took time to learn........." KNOWLEDGE IS POWER"......it worked.
One good idea is get a note pad and pen and write down ALL of your questions for us and your doctors as well. It will really help a great deal.
Please stay in touch and talk with us. We do really care and are here for you anytime.
Big hugs, Bridget*
Go for frozen or fresh when possible. Frozen can have a small amount but it is much better than canned any day.
Prepackaged/ frozen meals are absolutely stupid with sodium!
BUT not all............there again READ the serving size and sodium content. Snack foods try to slowly introduce baked chips and low sodium products to your healthy eating habits.
NEVER try to make all of these changes in 1 day!! Success takes time, slowly learn about choices your making for your health.
Eating healthy and getting exercise will take wieght off faster than dieting. PLEASE do NOT diet.
You are making a decision to change your eating habits not dieting ok.
Smoking, I have been a smoker for years. And have had intermitent success at stopping. When I am not smoking my bp is fabulous and I feel better. Much more energy and even look younger! Gotta love that perk!
Eating lean meats is also a good idea. I eat no pork (sodium packed) ! But that is just me ok. I am in no way suggesting you don't eat pork.
Exercise can be as simple as a walk with the dog or just walking with the family a couple of blocks. Or just one block if that is all you can do. Try to add a few minutes each day of new exercise.
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