How join support group ?

@gingerw No one has talked to me about cause of my Kidney problem. I use to have high blood pressure but that seems to be better now. It's low more often than high. I just found out I was a 3 several months ago. ,and went to a 4 several weeks ago. I don't know how long it is between 4 and 5 . I don't know that much about Kidney disease. I'm still learning, I would rather get a transplant than to go on dialysis. Although I'm 90 so I'll have a good tug of war with my Nephrologist about getting a transplant at my age. . . I do a lot of praying; for a lot of things . Did I spell that right ? I would like to be able to join a discussion group. Either chronic Kidney Disease or Transplant group, to learn more. Thanks for listening . Ed

@eelatt01 Blood pressure issues are one of the top 2 underlying causes for chronic kidney disease.

Truthfully, you may have a pretty steep climb up that hill, finding a transplant center who will consider you, given your age. Do you have a living donor in mind?

You can join any discussion group! You are already a member here on Mayo Clinic Connect, and every support group offers many discussion threads. Jump right in!
Ginger

I joined this group to gain information for my son in law who is a stage 4 kidney disease. Should he get more tan one consult before proceeding with the fistula surgery for dialysis?

@rngobra Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Thee are a lot of variables to consider, with dialysis. Has your son had any education on the different modalities: peritoneal, hemodialysis or home hemodialysis? If so, what is his desire? If it is peritoneal, has he been evaluated to see that he could do that? Here is a link from Renal Support Network that explains the different options: https://www.rsnhope.org/kidney-101-just-diagnosed/dialysis-treatment-options/
Ginger

@gingerw
Hello, I am Rick37. I joined the Mayo Clinic Site to find out more information about Chronic Kidney Disease. Information related to diet, exercise and lifestyle. I have been seeing a Kidney Doctor for 5 or 6 years. I am 74 years old and have several related issues. 1. I have had a radical ileostomy with my Colon removed about 40 years ago. I have type 2 diabetes with an A1C of 6.2
and my kidney level is 3b. I have had many dehydration episodes over the years which has contributed to make my kidney numbers get worse. Thank, Rick. I would like to join a Kidney Disease Support group. If anyone can help me get into the conversations and join a support group I would appreciate it. Thanks again, Rick37

@rick37 Hi, I wasn't sure where to post my questions, or ask about a potential diet for a stage 3b kidney condition.

One of my questions might call for a person with a wide knowledge of a kidney diet.
I have had many episodes of dehydration (I have had an ileostomy for 40 years with my colon removed.(for the first 25 years I felt great with few problems. Around 10-15 years ago I have been hospitalized for dehydration episodes where I would lose 10-15 lbs of weight thru my appliance that I wear. I didn't have a Kidney doctor until 7 or 8 years ago. They gave me blood tests for the kidney after each episode. my levels would get bad during and after the episodes. I was treated by given intravenous bags of liquid.(It stops dehydration 4 times faster than having water orally.) Usually the kidney numbers would go back up close to normal level. However each episode will leave the kidneys a little worse. After 7 years of having about 3 dehydration episodes a year my kidney level is 3b with an EGFR level of 31 after the last episode.
I had taken about 8 ounces of Pedialyte every morning and I didn't have an episode for 14 months. I started wondering if the salt in pedialyte(and different electrolytes including 280mg of Potassium could have caused problems. I hate to give it up because it has helped my to retain water and kept me out of the hospital for over a year until my last dehydration episode a few weeks ago.
If anyone has a knowledge of this situation I would appreciate some information. Thanks,Rick37