newgrl's Journal, 03 Jun 19

I always take a dish I've prepared, that way I know I'll have at least one thing I can eat. 

I had to have one of mine removed about 4 years ago. I felt so much better immediately after. Hope you did too. 

@SMK2016 - I do too. Even just 4 days later, I can tell my PTH level and my calcium levels are much better as I feel much better. The only thing I'm worried about is I've been woken up by leg cramps 2 nights now. I used to get them all the time, then I got the new kidney and things were much much better. But now??... hopefully... this is not a symptom of the removal. I hate night leg cramps. Feh! @Shirfleur1 - I do this... and I've managed to get my sister and her daughter (these get togethers are usually at her house) to actually buy a few healthier things for their fridge for summer. I figure, if nothing else, I can throw some baby carrots in the air fryer as a side dish just for me without interrupting the BBQ too bad. However... damn those Brats are good. :):) Can you really eat just one Brat with no bun? That sounds so wrong. :) 

On leg cramps: I've always been able to get rid of them immediately with magnesium spray on the spot , and prevent them by taking magnesium citrate pill supplements. Hope that helps. Those night cramps are painful! 

Newgrl, I could inhale a whole pound of those Brats without batting an eye! Looking around for tasty, low cal meat for the BBQ, have you considered boneles, skinless chicken thighs? An average boneless, skinless chicken thigh is only about 110 calories, it cooks up fast on the grill, and can be very tasty, with or without a bun. 

For the bbq parties you might want to consider kabob skewers. You can balance and portion the anount of chicken/or other protein with vegetables. Or if others are bring the proteins just do veggie kabobs. You still get the grill and smokey flavor but with a lighter calorie load.  

I had leg cramps prior to my surgery and still after. I take magnesium before bed and it helps. I read if you get leg cramps at night it's a lack of magnesium. If you get cramps during exercise it's a lack of potassium. 

@Erikahollister - I appreciate the advice, but I know mine are due to some wacky blood tests. I have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) with a transplanted kidney that I got in January of last year. And I'm on some wicked anti-rejection meds, so without advice from my Nephrologist (and perhaps another doc or two) I don't add any kinds of supplements to my diet. Some of them can interfere with the important stuff, ya know? I'll see what my docs say about my most recent blood tests and talk to them from there about next steps. Besides, the easiest way I've ever found to get rid of my personal leg cramps is just to get up (walk around part) and drink a glass of water. Works almost every time :)  

@Shirfleur - And then watch EVERYONE ELSE eat brats? Oh hell no. :) I can skip the potato salad and dessert, but brats man... they're too good to sub boneless skinless chicken thighs for :):) I appreciate your idea though. I'll figure it out eventually.  

Thanks everyone for the ideas on the leg cramps. I think there are lots of reasons for them, but for me, it's usually just a water imbalance of some sort. I can usually solve the issue by drinking some water and walking around for a minute to stretch out the muscle. I just hadn't had them since I went off hemodialysis, so they were a surprise for me after the PTH removal surgery. I had blood tests last week and will have more in 3 more weeks. I'll see where I am then and what might be the cause. According to my blood tests at this point though, my Magnesium levels are all good. 

Ah well, it was just a thought... 😁 

:) 

Hope all goes well. 

Hope you’re feeling well after your surgery. 🌸😊