Diet changes

• Keep track of how much fluid you drink.

  • Fill a washed and rinsed gallon milk jug with water and keep it in your refrigerator.

  • Try to drink half of the water in the jug during the course of the day, unless your provider gives you other instructions.

• Limit your intake of milk, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.

• Limit your intake of meat, fish, poultry, eggs, beans, and nuts.

• Limit or don't have soft drinks.

• Don't have foods or beverages with added phosphorus or phosphates. Read ingredient labels for words containing "PHOS" like pyrophosphate. Talk with a dietitian as instructed by your healthcare provider for a list of foods that are safe for you.

Other home care

• Take all medicines exactly as directed.

• Take phosphorus-binding antacids with meals if prescribed by your healthcare provider. These antacids bind to the phosphorus in food. This prevents it from being absorbed.

• Don't take over-the-counter medicines that contain phosphorus. These include laxatives, enemas, and supplements. Read the labels before you buy these products.

• Keep all appointments for lab work and follow-up. Your healthcare provider needs to watch your condition closely.

• Resume your normal activities as directed by your healthcare provider.

Follow-up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your provider right away if you have any of the following:

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea that is not relieved by antidiarrheal medicine or by changing your diet

• Constipation that lasts longer than 2 days

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath