Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): How do I stop progression?

@bradninchgirl I imagine that it was quite the surprise! What was the eGFR level they gave you? Do they think that the medications you were on for the PR had anything to do with the decreased kidney function? I hope your medical team is referring you to a nephrologist to look into your situation.

Many of us are told about having a kidney concern, yet we don't show symptoms. Our bodies often will accommodate for changing health slowly, so slowly we don't recognize it. It's not until later as we look back that we see it.

May I suggest the following for you? Read through the threads here. Don't "awfulize" your situation, be realistic. Understand that we are all different, and how our kidney issues affect us can be different. Get in with a nephrologist who will work with your medical team to make the best plan for you. Adopt a healthy diet for you. For kidney patients, we need to watch calcium, phosphorous, potassium, salt, protein, and sugar intakes. If you have other dietary concerns, you might need to really work at it! For example, I also have to deal with gout, so my renal diet is paired with a gout-friendly diet.

What questions can I help you with today?
Ginger

Thank you for your reply Ginger. I think the problem with my not getting a heads up before how is that it's been 2 years since my health clinic had a doctor they have been relying on the head of practice, which was never seen, and two nurse practitioners. I'm afraid I don't know what a eGFR level is, I go over my notes on the clinic portal and see if I can find it.
My shock is because after 5 years of PMR I was feeling great and thought I was in great health, which apart from the kidneys I am my test results from my physical were almost perfect. I'm still having something of a hard time coming to terms with it. It also changes my long range plans. I have an appointment with my new doctor in three months and I will go over getting a nephrologist then, but because of our rural nature it's hard to attract good doctors so there may not be one close enough. In the mean time I will be adjusting my diet and drinking a lot of water.

@bradninchgirl Living in a rural location can offer its own challenges. We also live rurally, and I travel 2.5 hours each way for my specialists, almost an hour for pcp!

If you have access to your lab results, you want to look for the value eGFR or GFR. This is a basic kidney function value. As you will read here, we look at trends, not a single test result. When we do have bloodwork done, stress, hydration, illness/infection, etc can all have an effect on results.

It's never too late to look after our own health, and modify our diets to help ourselves. Live your life, and keep those long range plans as much as you can! The diagnosis of chronic kidney disease doesn't need to be a limiting factor.
Ginger

Once again, many thanks Ginger. I appreciate your encouraging words.