A little trip to the coffee shop before my appointment…let’s make teddies!
I had a follow-up appointment with the endocrinologist yesterday. When I saw her a year ago, it was for my hyperparathyroidism. For some reason, my numbers were still high even after two surgeries to remove two adenomas. She noticed that I had some symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease (it runs in my family) and she wanted to see me back in a year for repeat labs. This time, my parathyroid number was great but my kidney numbers elevated a little bit. My doctor is determined to get to the bottom of what’s causing this. I’ve been reading up on Vitamin D so I checked to see how much I’ve been taking in total. So many things have Vit D added and I never thought to add it all up. I was taking WAY too much. I have to reduce my Vitamin D intake because that can effect calcium and that’s what’s wacky. I have to stop my morning antihistamine. But when she got to my fluid intake, things took a turn.
As you know, I started drinking RYZE mushroom coffee a year ago. I went on Noom and made several lifestyle changes and lost over 30 pounds. I also bought a second type of mushroom coffee that has more of a cocoa flavor. I’m afraid I am one of those people who think if one is good, two has to be better, right? Well…maybe not so much. I was drinking the RYZE and about a half dose of the other cocoa flavored mushroom coffee mixed in…AND I was having two mugs of this a day. Hey…I feel great! No muscle aches, no acid reflux, sleeping like a baby, and NO anxiety attacks. However…something has made my kidney numbers get a little wonky.
Personally, I think it is the cocoa flavored drink because it has Chaga mushroom in it. Multiple studies have shown chaga can cause oxalate crystals that can damage your kidneys. I had NO idea until yesterday that the extra cocoa drink I was consuming did indeed have chaga in it. The RYZE does not.
That being said, my doctor doesn’t know exactly what has caused the abnormality so she wants me to stop my beloved RYZE and the other drink, make the other changes, and recheck everything in six months. I am so bummed because, even though I can have the occasional cup of tea, I have to strictly stick to water. W.A.T.E.R. No sodas, no fizzy drinks, no flavorings. Ugh…I’ve never been a great water drinker as it is so I’m going to have to really up my game in the hydration department. As I’ve told you in the past, I’m not a doctor and I don’t give medical advice. I just tell people what I like and what has helped me. The lesson being, be sure you only use the recommended amount of anything. “Too much of a good thing” you know. And, remember to ask your medical provider if there’s a problem with you using supplements. I am sure I’ll be able to start the RYZE again after the labs get better because I don’t think that is what caused this. Till then….boring, boring, boring old water.
I know I share a lot here…I speak from my heart. But I do this because I’ve learned I’m not the only one who goes through the things I do. And if by sharing I can help another, then that’s what I’ll do. I hope I don’t make you uncomfortable.
Mr. FixIt and I went for a long walk after supper. The sun was shining and it was in the low 60’s. It was a beautiful day. Today is supposed to be rainy and we don’t have anyplace to go. It’s a knitting day!!!
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”Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.“
3 John 1:2 NIV
That stinks! I have been using Ryze, but their cocoa/relaxing causes…um, lower GI digestive issues. Can you use a soda stream to at least carbonate your water? Maybe add a bit of lemon or lime or other whole fruit for flavoring? Good luck getting to the root of your numbers and have a lovely knitting day.
I had GI effects for the first week after I started RYZE. When I was sitting down to take my evening meds last night, I took a closer look at everything. Up till a couple of months ago, I was taking 2000iu of Vitamin D in a supplement. I wasn’t even considering the amount of Vitamin D that was in my Centrum Silver for Women which is another 1000iu. Last night I read the ingredients in the immune support gummies and lo and behold, there was another 1000iu in them! So, I think I have uncovered the cause of the calcium in the urine. My renal function itself looks pretty good so I’m feeling better about it. The soda stream sounds interesting! I’ll check it out. Thank you!
I had absolutely no idea the effect Vitamin D had on the body until my mom was hospitalized in late November. She was going into kidney failure. After three weeks in the hospital, by the grace of God, a Nephrologist who happened to be covering for another doctor found what was attacking her kidneys. Eighteen months ago, she was hospitalized with sepsis. Upon discharge, an attending doctor prescribed Vitamin D for her. The doctor entered a prescription for 50,000 IUs three times per week, triple the recommended weekly dose. She took in eighteen months what one person takes in fifteen years. We have been devastated. The hospital failed her and her primary care doctor failed her by not ordering the required bloodwork to keep an eye on things. I thank God every single day that I still have her, and I know things could be worse, but we have to take charge and monitor our health and not be afraid to insist on further testing when something doesn’t seem right. You are very lucky to have someone who seems to be on top of your health journey.
Bless her heart! Yes, we do have to be our own advocates. I’m glad you found out what happened.