Anyone raised eGFR without medical assistance?

Hello, would you be able to share your renal dietician information?

@tapdancer Thank you for sharing. My spouse just dropped from 28 to 19 efgr in a very short amount of time. Was shocked as he has maintained for a year plus and has been doing ok.

@marshgirl24 Hello, would you be able to share who your renal dietitian online is?

Thank you.

I want to jump in here and will try to be succinct.

Background - diagnosed Type 1 Diabetic at age 18 in 1975, followed by slowly developing complications over the next few decades (peripheral neuropathy of my hands & feet, autonomic neuropathy in the form of gastroparesis, diabetic retinopathy; not to mention complications for my unborn daughters during my 2 pregnancies (1981 & 1984).

In the early 2000’s my father-in-law had end stage renal disease, was on dialysis and eventually had a kidney transplant in 2003. I started learning a lot about kidney disease from him including that diabetes & hypertension are the 2 most common causes of kidney problems. I learned about the importance of hydration, the risks of some medications & NSAIDS to kidneys, the meaning of kidney function labs and the requirements of a renal diet. I learned about dialysis and kidney transplantation.

In 2005 I went through a pre transplant evaluation for an SPK (simultaneous pancreas kidney transplant). I was told that I had minimal - moderate kidney disease. I was not given a stage # or alphabet letter and I was told that I did not need a kidney transplant. BUT I was approved and accepted for a “pancreas alone transplant”. At the time that I was listed I was told to expect about a year - year and a half wait due to matching considerations. Well, 15 days later I got “the call” with an offer for a pancreas transplant. My coordinator said it was a good match (3 out of 6 factors) and I accepted. It seemed like my personal miracle and I named the transplanted organ “Precious”. It did NOT cure my diabetes BUT for the first time since diagnosis I could keep my blood sugar in range and the complications started to resolve. The HbA1C test (a standard measurement for diabetes) was normal 3 weeks after the transplant. I tolerated the required immune suppression medication well. I NEVER had any episodes of rejection. It had a REALLY good run for 11 years.

Then in 2016 I started to notice less pancreas function and also less kidney function. I got back in line for another SPK pre transplant evaluation. This time I was told that I did not need a pancreas transplant but would eventually need dialysis &/or kidney transplant. Around that time my eGFR was bouncing between 14 - 42 (which I have always thought to be strange).

I buckled down and learned MORE about hydration, kidney labs (eGFR, albumin, BUN, calcium, creatinine, oxalates, phosphorus, potassium …..) and renal diet. I have a great endocrinologist and nephrologist in the same healthcare system. This way I know that we all have the same records, treatment plans and are on the same page. I got a referral to a dietician who is diabetic herself and knows renal diet requirements. My nephrologist says I “need to eat for the labs”. What he means by this is he monitors the items listed above. The renal dietician gave me lists of foods and beverages that shows the amounts of substances in a particular item. I can raise or lower amounts of these items based on what the labs show. Mainly I follow a low carb, low fat (especially saturated and trans fats), low sodium diet. I used to overindulge on protein because it was low carb. I learned to eat the amount that I need for my height, weight, gender, muscle mass and activity level. I leaned that red meat is particularly hard on kidneys to process. So I limit that. I stick mainly to poultry, fish, eggs and dairy for my protein. I get 5-6 glasses of water a day. That is what my nephrologist recommended for me.

Currently my eGFR is 34. I was approved and accepted for kidney transplant. I listed at Mayo Rochester. It is “inactive listing” because the eGFR is too good to be “active listing”. It needs to be less than or equal to 20 for “active listing”. I have a virtual video visit with my Mayo nephrologist to review and update things coming up in March. I have been looking for a living kidney donor since 2016. So far nothing. But I am confident that when the time comes that I need the transplant it will work out as it should. In the meantime I take the best care of myself that I can.

@marshgirl24 H, I have looked at several on line sites. I have found some quite confusing because they give recipes with ingredients with high potassium and phosphates, such as avocado, mushrooms.As I was determined to raise my number from stage 3B I did not consider those. I also have type 2 diabetes which I have controlled with a low carb diet and this has now become a challenge. I don't follow any particular cook book. I look at sites offering kidney friendly recipes and take from them recipes that meet my needs. I hope this helps. I'm not sure if we are allowed to recommend sites, suggest you look at the most reputable ones,