Kidney function decline: Does this negatively impact mood/personality?

I think for me, getting health news that is concerning can have a ripple effect on my mood and frame of mind.
It can take a while to process it all and not surprising you feel more irritable and short.
Give yourself space to breathe and some extra TLC if you can. 🥹
And reach out to your doctor to answer that specific question about physical symptoms to watch for.
Are there changes you can make right now that might delay needing a transplant?

Leslie- My renal dietician said refined sugar must be eliminated in my diet because according to latest scientific data sugar feeds the kidney cysts and helps them grow. As of March 30th I have stopped eating sugar. She also suggested to choose complex carbohydrates and avoid simple processed carbohydrates. (Honey, cookies, ice cream) She also suggested I try the Dr. Weimbs polycystic kidney keto diet. I emailed Dr. Ron Perrone at Tufts hospital in Mass. He directs clinical trials on diet for PKD. I want to get his wise advice on this keto diet. I’m seeing my own nephrologist in June and get her wise advice also.
Thanks for your encouraging words. It does help. I’m not so overwhelmed.

As @leslie2121 said, this is probably news to you, and can be pretty upsetting! In my humble opinion, the response you are having could come with any type of negative news.

Also, you said you have changed up your eating habits, perhaps quite a change all at once? That certainly would play a part in it all, as you transition to a new-to-you eating plan.

What is your eGFR at this point? Do you feel you are getting adequate hydration? Keeping close tabs on your diet and lifestyle may help you prolong useful kidney function, and keep you feeling as good as you can for as long as you can. I will be interested to hear what your doctors have to say, and what they suggest for diet/lifestyle for you.

Be kind to yourself!
Ginger

You sound really motivated and involved and on the right path. I think eliminating sugar would be good for all of us!
And agree- dietary changes can make me grumpy. Kind of hard to give up sweets and I go through withdrawal -which does get better once you are used to it.
Good luck! I’m interested in what your reports show and the recommendations you get. 🫶🏻

I think it could be multifaceted. Stress, like processing hard news, it's normal to have heightened emotional responses. Diet changes can do that as well.
I do know this... when my kidney function is fluctuating I do have fatigue, sometimes shortness of breath from fluid retention, increased pain, headaches , nausea etc and that all affects my level of irritability. I'm normally very calm as well, so that irritability makes me more emotional because it is unusual.
Give yourself grace. Reduce your stressors, and any demands on you...including your own expectations.
Find ways to adapt to your fatigue levels.
Don't forget to do something you enjoy!!

It is a cliche I’m sure you’ve heard. You are more than the sum of your parts. When one part is ailing the rest will suffer ( physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social …. And so on). It is time to bolster the other parts especially when you feel you can’t do much about your physical situation. As others have mentioned there’s a lot you can do for your physical part too (changes in diet, hydration, exercise, rest … etc). Make a list of things you want to work on, prioritize, start small and get in the habit of working on this list. Too many or too big of changes can be overwhelming and actually set you back. Keep us posted on your progress?
If / when you’ll be needing a kidney transplant start looking for a living donor in addition to being listed for cadaver donation. Have you been listed yet?

Diagnosed ESRD looking at kidney transplant possablity

@vad, I’d like to extend a virtual handshake and to say- welcome to Connect. I am sorry that you are diagnosed with ESRD. It is a hard hit of reality, isn’t it? Is this a surprise diagnosis- or have you been slowly, over time progressing to end stage where you are perhaps needing a kidney transplant?
Are you connected with a kidney transplant doctor yet?
What brought you to this conversation? What would you like to ask?

My new PCP ran a blood panel in late Nov 2022. After getting results she had her nurse call and tell me to go to ER immediately.
December of 2022 I was told I had kidney failure.
My previous PCP never mentioned any kidney issues though urine tests and blood tests were done on a regular basis.
I am type II diabetic diagnosed in 2009 but it was controlled and A1c never got over 6.4.
I did use Ozempic for diabetic purposes as well as weight loss. I did lose weight but experienced gastric issues.
Yes, it was a total shock. My preferred drink has always been water.

I am currently doing perinatal dialysis after surgery in May 2023 and was referred to Mayo Phoenix for possible transplant. now in evaluation process.
I don't know anyone who has had transplant and the entire process seems over whelming.
Considering I have no donor, everyone I know is over 60 or raising children, I would need a cadaver kidney.

Would appreciate hearing from those who have gone the transplant route and get some idea regarding the process and aftermath of living with the medications, etc.
vad