I'm not a medical professional, but my first thought was what is your protein intake? And do you have any kind of impaired kidney function? Are you a diabetic? Kidney function can be affected by diabetes, and if that is the case, it is usually recommended to lower you protein intake.

As for the water intake, you may need more on keto, especially in the beginning. Carbs help us retain water, so when you reduce your carbs you tend to lose a lot of water weight (and electrolytes). There is a lot of good info in the Launch Pad about it.

I hope you get it figured out soon!

I sort of disagree with the water recommendations. It wasn't long ago that someone developed kidney pain because they were drinking too much water because of the idea that it was so good to do. Not really. Drinking beyond your thirst needs is uneccessary. If you're going to the bathroom every 2 to 3 hours or less then you're either drinking too much water or you aren't getting enough sodium. Or both!
Have you noticed any difference in frequency of urination?
It's true that you lose a lot of water when you initially go keto but much of that is from using up stored glycogen and doesn't need to be replaced. The problem is that the water takes sodium with it and once you're producing ketones you will be losing a bit more water and sodium with that, and by day 4 of following at low enough carbs, you'll be making plenty of ketones. So, there is some increased need for fluids but it's not enormous. If sodium is replaced you'll be able to retain water better, which you don't do much of without inflammatory carbs in your diet. You need to be able to retain the fluids you take in. You need sodium to do that. Once sodium gets low enough, you'll start to lose magnesium in an effort to preserve sodium, then potassium will follow as magnesium gets depleted. If you keep sodium up and drink to thirst, you don't have to worry about potassium and a magnesium supplement will quickly get that up to a good level.

Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »

I sort of disagree with the water recommendations. It wasn't long ago that someone developed kidney pain because they were drinking too much water because of the idea that it was so good to do. Not really. Drinking beyond your thirst needs is uneccessary. If you're going to the bathroom every 2 to 3 hours or less then you're either drinking too much water or you aren't getting enough sodium. Or both!
Have you noticed any difference in frequency of urination?
It's true that you lose a lot of water when you initially go keto but much of that is from using up stored glycogen and doesn't need to be replaced. The problem is that the water takes sodium with it and once you're producing ketones you will be losing a bit more water and sodium with that, and by day 4 of following at low enough carbs, you'll be making plenty of ketones. So, there is some increased need for fluids but it's not enormous. If sodium is replaced you'll be able to retain water better, which you don't do much of without inflammatory carbs in your diet. You need to be able to retain the fluids you take in. You need sodium to do that. Once sodium gets low enough, you'll start to lose magnesium in an effort to preserve sodium, then potassium will follow as magnesium gets depleted. If you keep sodium up and drink to thirst, you don't have to worry about potassium and a magnesium supplement will quickly get that up to a good level.

Hmmm. I've always been a water drinker. In highschool, I had to go between every class, and I still go about every hour. I drink at least 128 Oz of water daily, but I also have never been big on other fluids. I find water comforting.

I don't even know how my body might react to lowering my water intake, but I have noticed that I have to be very cautious of my sodium intake. And I've made the connection that I most likely used to get nightly headaches due to not enough sodium. Very interesting!

I agree with cedarsidefarm...kidney issues are silent until they are not. Like HBP it can affect you when least expected.

Livestrong.com recommends the baseline of 46 gr protein for women..and anyone with kidney issues has a harder time processing the waste products of meat protein. ( also LC appeals to many due too the unlimited meat idea..Americans already coondume much more meat than needed, so you can see where it can affect someone with hidden kidney issues.

I know because I have just one kidney now, with CKD, not stones, but my LC diet was too high in meat initially and I dropped to a low function stage and scared my kidney doc after 2 months on LCHF..as soon as I ate no meat, more veggies/cheese/eggs/hempseed other protein I raised function.

Cedar can you tell us ( or me by message) about the need for dialysis and what led to that, how fast did ESRD occur? It is estimated 30 million US Americnas have some range of CKD..and MDs think you can't DO anything, so they don't mention it until you hit stage 4..and it is seriously worrying! I hope he is tolerating his treatments well.

At around 2 months in, I experienced what I thought was passing kidney stones. Turns out it was muscle cramps/spasms. My electrolytes were out of whack, so MAGNESIUM is necessary.

hookilau wrote: »

Hope your issue is on it's way to resolved if not already

I'm interested in this 'natural metformin replacement' you're taking.
Exactly what is it please?

Likely referring to berberine; yes, HbA1C lowering is roughly 0.7-1.2%. Improves insulin sensitivity

don't mess with the kidneys with your history if you are experiencing pain I'd go to the doc. I used to get chronic uti and kidney infections but since I nolomger have insulin resistance haven't had any. I'd get checked!.