Spring Forward in Managing Potassium Levels and Fluid Control

As spring arrived and the weather warmed up, I’ve found myself more thankful for the season than ever. I never really disliked winter, but after going through two winters since my husband started dialysis, I realized how much the cold can affect him. His condition worsened as temperatures dropped, and a friend of mine (who is a nurse) explained that cold weather causes blood vessels to constrict, which can lead to various health issues. But with spring here, my husband’s condition has become more stable, and as his caregiver, I feel a bit more at ease.

Recently, we’ve been focusing on maintaining normal potassium levels and managing his dry weight. Because of his kidney failure, excess potassium can build up in his body and may even lead to heart failure—making it a serious risk. While he avoids foods that are high in potassium, it’s difficult to cut them out entirely since almost every food contains at least a small amount. He takes a medication called Veltassa daily to help control his potassium.

Pulmonologist visit last month: Thankfully, he had no lung issues, but the pulmonologist said they needed to remove more fluid during dialysis.

Maintaining dry weight is closely tied to fluid management. People with reduced kidney function must limit fluid intake, and my husband is restricted to under 32 oz per day. He doesn’t drink much water to begin with, yet fluid still tends to build up in his body. To help manage this, we significantly reduced the sodium in his diet. I was concerned it might reduce his appetite—he's always preferred salty foods—but thankfully, he’s been adjusting well to a low-sodium diet.

We continue to pray and wait for a healthy kidney transplant. Kidneys regulate potassium and maintain fluid balance. If the transplant is successful, many of his dietary restrictions will be lifted, and he’ll finally be able to enjoy the flavorful food he’s missed for so long. I truly appreciate how well my husband has followed the low-sodium renal diet, knowing how hard it must be. We’re hoping to hear good news from the Piedmont Transplant Center soon.

My husband can’t wait to enjoy all the foods he’s been missing.