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← Return to Stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD): What specialists do I see?
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Stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD): What specialists do I see?
Kidney & Bladder | Last Active: May 19, 2022 | Replies (237)Comment receiving replies
@gingerw The biggest changes are diet and energy level. Ten years ago I was diagnosed as a Type II diabetic. After a long learning curve, I adjusted well to the diagnosis. Through exercise, diet and metformin, everything was under control. I actually enjoyed the foods I was allowed to eat. Then came pancreatic cancer and complications from the chemo. Now I am a Type I diabetic and have stage 4/5 CKD. I've had to give up a lot of the foods that I have enjoyed. I have to watch my intake of phosphorus, potassium and sodium. I try to balance my diet between CKD and diabetes. Maybe I would do better if I watched my diet better, but I've decided that I am also going to enjoy my life. I take lots of meds to compensate for what my kidneys can no longer do or to slow down the deterioration of my kidneys. My nephrologist suggested that I look into a kidney transplant. I wondered if I wanted to go through that since things have been holding steady for so long. She reminded me that I have been on the edge of needing dialysis for a long time and anything could push me over the edge at any time. I was evaluated at Mayo Rochester last August and am on the transplant list as inactive at this time. Coming to Rochester in June for another checkup. If I am still cancer free I will be placed on the active list. My sister is coming later in June to see if she qualifies as a donor. Just waiting to see how things progress.
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@marvinjsturing Similar to your situation, I juggle multiple health concerns. I am fond of saying, "oatmeal, apples and cardboard all on the approved list". A little bit of forbidden foods once in a great while allow me to not think that I can then binge, which will do nothing except make me sick. My protein has to be restricted because of the kidney disease. Which doesn't do me good for my energy levels where I need protein. Source out quality protein like eggs, chicken and Athenos Roasted Red Pepper hummus with my morning apple! On days when I can tolerate perhaps a little bit of salt I might have a tortilla chip and take tiny bites to make it last. But I have to watch edema issues. Like others have said with chronic illnesses you pick your battles but you also get to pick your pleasures. And weigh what is going to work for you. Knowing that a splurge today may lead to several days of discomfort can do a good job of swaying me away from something I think I need to have at that moment. We soldier on, and are mighty together!
Ginger
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2marvijsturing, I hear you about enjoying life. I made a pact with a friend and neighbor,I will buy one Roma tomato a month, take two small slices (which my neph approved because that's not a lot of P & K) and give my friend the rest of the tomato. One sandwich a month with 2 tiny tomato slices neph said would be ok but I don't trust myself to have a whole tomato in my kitchen!
Whatever decision is reached about your transplant, I'm pulling for you and wish you the best of outcomes and am sending you healing thoughts and positive vibes.