My dad is a nephrologist (specializes in kidney health, hypertension, etc) warned me about the precautions of taking prednisone
(which I was prescribed to control my first flare from ulcerative colitis) .
(which I was prescribed to control my first flare from ulcerative colitis) .
He stating very, very clearly "HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO SALT! You will get salt naturally from unprocessed foods but, the limited amount for keeping your joints safe leaves no wiggle room for error." Why would my dad know that? He is not a GI ( gastroenterologist)...
Because increased salt puts you at risk for high blood pressure (Hypertension).
Because increased salt puts you at risk for high blood pressure (Hypertension).
I thought, okay I just won't add any salt to my meals...but then there was going out to eat
...yeah that wasn't fun and look who got moon face gradually!
...yeah that wasn't fun and look who got moon face gradually!
...I enjoyed going out to eat 2-3 times a week but my joints did not.
When I tapered down off the prednisone dose and finally off for good, I noticed almost instantly my dominant wrist became achy all the time and so did my low back.
When I tapered down off the prednisone dose and finally off for good, I noticed almost instantly my dominant wrist became achy all the time and so did my low back.
Crap, he was right. So I also looked it up online (good idea for a 17 year old to do at the time?
Maybe not, but a former graduate student at 26 years old? Yes (a bit more realistic in knowing how to find evidence-based articles and adequate resources :) )
Sure enough it was there in plain english then and still there now when I go back to google it:
Maybe not, but a former graduate student at 26 years old? Yes (a bit more realistic in knowing how to find evidence-based articles and adequate resources :) )
Sure enough it was there in plain english then and still there now when I go back to google it:
WRITE THIS DOWN:
STEP ONE: DO YOUR RESEARCH!
STEP TWO: QUESTION EVERY FOOD YOU ARE ABOUT TO CONSUME,
LOOK AT THE SODIUM CONTENT
DETERMINE IF THAT MATCHES OR IS
LESS THAN THE ALLOTED AMOUNT FOR THE DAY
LESS THAN THE ALLOTED AMOUNT FOR THE DAY
(< 2,000 mg/day)
UCSF Medical Center put information out that was helpful in guidelines for those restricting foods while on prednisone, however, I'll say it, careless in nature...the DILEMMA?
They are trying to help with best intentions....
They are trying to help with best intentions....
when stating indication of eating more calcium in their resources, they source a list of foods that is not 100% in alignment with a low sodium diet
(not because of the recommendation of increasing calcium intake but the sources of foods they list:
...cheese (ah-hem sodium)
...sardines!!! duh
... shirmp? absolutely.
tisk tisk. I'm not even bothering linking it because less info is more.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
It's up to us IBD warriors to really examine what we take or accept as knowledge when it comes to our meds and the food that enters our bodies.
I challenge you to empower yourself to be your own expert just as the new human being that enters this earth, learning to crawl, without being shown how...and doing it every day of your life.
It's up to us IBD warriors to really examine what we take or accept as knowledge when it comes to our meds and the food that enters our bodies.
I challenge you to empower yourself to be your own expert just as the new human being that enters this earth, learning to crawl, without being shown how...and doing it every day of your life.
So here are some of the solutions I came to when reducing my salt intake temptations; low to no sodium condiment options!
Scroll up and to the right to receive a guide to some of my 7 favorite alternatives to salt to still spice up your food.
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