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← Return to Dizziness with ckd
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Kidney & Bladder | Last Active: Apr 5, 2023 | Replies (50)
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I’m in the same situation. Stage 3 kidney disease and it seems like the 3 nephrologist I went to, seem to wait for u to get on dialysis, which I’m not doing. They don’t even tell u the least amount of protein u eat the better for your Kidneys. That how on my own research I found out. And my gfr went from 54 to 70. That’s pretty good. My kidney dr. Burst my bubbly telling me it will fluctuate. I’m Sharon, good to talk to someone who has what I do. I also have Atrial fibrillation, pre diabetic, Lyme disease, COPD, etc.
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@carnes - What I'm going to share is my personal experience and knowledge relating to my specific disease (PKD). I'm not a nephrologist but I do know drinking a lot (at least 64 oz. a day), 2000mg of salt (no more than 5,000 which is near impossible if you eat out much) in your daily diet, low protein (1 gram of protein per kilogram of your body weight), no alcohol, and no more than two caffeinated drinks (a drink being 8 ounces) a day is good for the health of your kidneys.
Keeping your blood pressure under control is also important for the health of your kidneys as they regulate bp. So take any bp meds you might be prescribed and try to exercise because that will also maintain or lower your bp.
Motrin is also not recommended if you have kidney issues. I never start any new med without discussing it with my nephrologist at Mayo because some are really tough on the kidneys. As I'm sure you know, medications are usually filtered through your liver or kidneys. Some herbal supplements and over the counter meds should be avoided (one example is decongestants).
What that "diet" does to your GFR depends on what your health issues are. Usually when a GFR fluctuates it is within 5 points which is why it is called an eGFR (estimated GFR). There are also different ways to calculate GFR so if you went to a different lab on the same day your GFR could be different. I have never seen, or heard of, a jump from 54 to 70 so I'm inclined to think (again, I'm not a doctor) that the change in your diet is helping.
I too have a local nephrologist that was just waiting for me to get on dialysis because that is what he does - manages people on dialysis. When I was at the Mayo Clinic last month I learned that they offer educational classes about the kidneys, how they work and how to take care of them. If you are not near a Mayo Clinic perhaps you could find a similar class in your community.
Of course once your GFR gets below 20 you need to speak with a dietician because there are many changes that need to happen in your diet that I know little about. Hopefully you won't get to that point.
Best of luck!
Lynn