Question for Ileosto-mates - Sodium Bicarbonate 10GR (650MG) Tabs?

Does anyone take Sodium Bicarbonate 10GR (650MG) tabs to the tune of 2 tabs twice a day?
This has been recommended by a recent visit to a nephrologist… not sure I am going to follow this advice… jb

I don't take baking soda. What is the reason it was recommended? Do you suffer from heartburn? My grandmother lived on a diet of Alka-Seltzer and bicarbonate of soda. But, she drank like a fish. 🤪

Daniel

Nope, no heartburn - my kidney numbers point to 3b (whatever the hell that is), also known as the latest buzzword (sez so on TV) CKD, chronic kidney disease. I think I have been put on a path of CDA - chronic doctor appointments along with CPD - chronic prescription dependency. I may just follow my previous plan: stay clear of appointments, take 1 baby aspirin and 1 B12 daily, and eat right - oh yeah, and chew, chew, chew. Thanks for your reply. I will check further - she had mentioned salt tablets, but this does not sound like a salt tablet, and I now have 360 of them at $12.07. Hell, I could eat a lot of Morton Salt for $12.07! jb

JB, I've sent you a private message. I have CKD stage 3A, which is 45 to 59 percent kidney function. I'm now at 52 but was at stage 3B (44 to 30 percent). I was at 33% a little over a year ago. And NO, it's not just like regular salt. It's mixed with baking soda as well to reduce acid not only in your stomach (why most take it for heartburn) but can help reduce the acid your kidneys can't filter anymore. Any questions, please feel free to ask, and yes, I have an ileostomy.

Never heard of salt tablets other than when the temp rose to 99 degrees in the factory during the summer months. We were all given one salt tablet administered under the tongue.

Alka Seltzer, something my grandmother lived on for post-party stomach upsets. Base sodium bicarb is a serum value in evaluating organ function. Never heard of a doctor prescribing tablets.

Hockey cards.

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

Thank you so much for your response. It is very enlightening to me. When I have an appointment with the nephrologist again, I am sure she will point this out. In the meantime, your answer was very helpful, and I do appreciate your response! I have sent you a private message as well with a question as to how you take this pill. I avoid taking pills as they pop right out without dissolving, and I fear a blockage. I tried putting one in hot water, but the little chunks made me cough as I am currently suffering from extreme dry mouth. Thanks again. I love this website and the willingness of its members to share information. JB

I take one tablet a day. It's for too much acid in my system. I have kidney disease from the chemo they gave me for cancer.

 

I have chronic kidney disease, Stage 2, and I have never been told to take that as a treatment. I wouldn't have even thought of it. I wonder if your doctor could explain to you why that was recommended? Like, can you ask questions to your doctor?

Lee

Yes, I have an appointment in a couple of weeks for a follow-up to all the testing I have been through. Rosebud (on this site) answered a few questions already about this, and it was very helpful. I tend to avoid meds as they only seem to trade one ill for another, so I will be very critical of what is proposed. I have found almost any doctor visit results in tests, then medications, and I tend to follow a different path, avoiding both. I have done this my whole life. My first step always when being prescribed any meds is to look at the downside of taking it. I have a container full of meds I never followed through taking what was prescribed. It turns out I am pretty dang healthy for an old lady and made it this far without medications.
My only reason for seeking a physician in the first place was due to a very dry mouth and itchy eyes, and I needed some answers. I believe the answers were probably here on this website all along. Being an ostomate will dry you out unless you follow some very important steps to prevent this. Hopefully, I will be back on track soon and following healthier choices for ostomates as advised by so many on this site with on-the-job training and experiences. Mainly keeping hydrated. jb

Yes, staying hydrated is essential to ostomates. I drink 32 oz at the gym and then another 32 oz throughout the day. I wouldn't be able to exercise if I didn't hydrate. I always know when it's time to take a 30-second break and drink something when my mouth and tongue get all dry and I can't re-wet them myself. Then I stop exercising and drink my fluids. I highly recommend drinks with electrolytes in them.

Hydrate to good health!

Lee