Newly diagnosed with CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) and terrified

Posted by nightwhisper @nightwhisper, Jan 21, 2024

Hello. I'm looking for some comfort because what I read on the internet about kidney disease is very bad. I had blood in the urine from the glomeruli of the kidneys in 2011 but we monitored it and I was doing very well things were quiet. Now suddenly it started to rise my creatinine and the percentage of my kidneys working is low as my nephrologist told me. I think I'm in stage 3 kidney disease. I'm doing tests all the time and I'm afraid that every time I go for blood tests my creatinine will be more and more up and I can't handle it all.I'm so scared it's progressing fast.I always shudder at illnesses and now something so serious is happening to me,it's a nightmare.I thought I was doing fine,I don't know what this new kidney problem is.Can can someone give me some advice to get courage for my disease? What would you say to someone who has just been diagnosed with kidney disease and is panicking? I am very sad and scared, I feel like my life is over and I am worried about my family how will I leave them .

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney & Bladder Support Group.

Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | 2 days ago

In reply to @natelew "Hello all, so I had my 2nd post op radical nephrectomy appointment with blood work. For..." + (show)

You can live well with one kidney. It will be interesting to see what your nephrologist thinks of your post op kidney numbers. Why did you require a radical nephrectomy surgery in the first place if you don’t mind me asking?

natelew | @natelew | 2 days ago

In reply to @cehunt57 "You can live well with one kidney. It will be interesting to see what your nephrologist..." + (show)

I had a complex cyst that was being monitored for a number of years. I couldn’t get a biopsy because it was liquid filled. It was not cancer.

my44 | @my44 | 1 day ago

In reply to @cehunt57 "You can live well with one kidney. It will be interesting to see what your nephrologist..." + (show)

@cehunt57, you're absolutely right...you can live well with one kidney. And many, many kidney transplant recipients here on Mayo Connect, including me, can attest to that.

dougr19 | @dougr19 | 1 day ago

In reply to @natelew "Hello all, so I had my 2nd post op radical nephrectomy appointment with blood work. For..." + (show)

I had radical nephrectomy in January of 2024. I have had blood work 4 times since then and my eGFR has ranged from 32 to 40. I drink between 66 -84 ounces of water per day, I am very careful with my diet and exercise at least 5 times per week. None of my physicians have said to do any of these things. Therefore, research for yourself and make positive lifestyle choices. I am 70 years old, it’s not perfect, I don’t expect it to be, however, I try to be as positive as I can. Blessings.

wdytys | @wdytys | 23 hours ago

Make sure to monitor how much oxalate you are consuming. For certain people, excess oxalates can lead to high creatinine levels. Spinach (which has a reputation for being very healthy) has one of the highest levels of oxalates.