Stage 3 Kidney Disease and Diet: What can I eat?

@veteran1950 First, thank you for your service. Which branch of the military were you in? Now, welcome to Mayo Connect. We are glad you found us, how did you happen across our forums here?

I also am a kidney patient, also Stage 3b, with eGFR around 32, due to a very rare kidney disease. I was diagnosed formally in early 2015, and had that confirmed last October when a second kidney biopsy was done during a cancer diagnosis.

Your breakfast and lunch menu sounds eerily a lot like mine! I also add a bit of protein into my salad, to help keep my energy up during the day. Diet is a very important part of managing kidney disease, along with exercise, and general lifestyle. I have managed to only lose 7 points in eGFR since late 2015, due to watching out with diet, and lifestyle. Typically when someone hits around 20 eGFR there is discussion about dialysis, and I hope to not get to that point.

How can we help you, today?
Ginger

USAF, served during Korea "Conflict" as it was called at that time. The VA lab workup discovered ckd in 11/2011, condition has remained fairly stable until earlier this year when eGFR put me in stage 3B. No known cause, no hypertension, no diabetes, leaves me with possibility of genetic connection. Received email from Mayo that got me interested. Did not mention dinner in prior conversation, boring, but does the trick: about 6 oz. of salmon, chicken or turkey with riced cauliflour with veggies. Recently started to use barley with sauteed onions. Too old to be considered for transplant so I exercise daily, walk a bit and try to maintain a good mental outlook

It should be Nephrologist -- oops. It is the middle of the night here. .

Hi, @australia, I wake up in the middle of the night, too...usually around 3 am. Luckily I can most often go back to sleep after reading or playing computer games for awhile. As for nephrologist,vs neurologist, smiles, some of us, like me, see both...kidney & neuropathy.

A really good website that helped me learn to understand my kidney labs was http://www.kidneyschool.org. It has really helpful learning modules: Module 7 is on Understanding Kidney Lab Values. I've shared the site with many others diagnosed with ckd and maybe it might be one you and others might share with those with kidney disease but who don't know how to read lab results? If they don't choose to learn, that is another matter entirely.

I agree that asking questions and then more questions and doing individual research has been pivotal in my learning to better manage my health conditions.

Hi, veteran1950, My brother in law also served in the Korean "Conflict" and I have been shaking my head that the U.S. once again finds itself in such tense relations with North Korea...feels like we may have not learned much during these intervening years.

Thank you for your service in the USAF. My hubby was in the Air Force during the Viet Nam war and I am still ashamed of how our country neglected the many who fought in that war and returned home broken by both physical and emotional wounds that never healed.

I am also stage 3 CKD and following my kidney diet is a bit harder now because of more limited grocery choices but it, along with exercise and paying close attention to lab results is key in working to maintain stage 3 for me.

Hi again from Georgia in Australia. Not wanting to know or learn is a problems for the psychologists. I was told by the G P -"some want to know -some don't". I run into the "don'ts" every day and they go "on and on about what hurts etc. ". Not a good look.

Hi Fiesty 76 -- Georgia from Australia. I don't get up at night because of kidneys --that is just waiting for the U.S. stock exchange to open --- In old age one has to find an occupation that one can accomplish while lying in a hospital bed - Once I was in pre-op, in the bare feet and backless gown --asked to telephone - and nurse said "I am sure you feel better now that you talked to your mother". "Yes, thank you" -it was my stock broker. !!!

@australia, That was a great and very funny, and I can imagine, a most surprising response to the nurse. On the other hand, I am adroitly avoiding "all things to do with the stock mkt" whatever is happening to my invested funds by "staying put" They may be getting a bit skinnier, also like me, but time enough in the future for that reckoning. In the meantime, I'm off to sautee more fresh spinach, celery and asparagus for the freezer. Stay well.

@veteran1950 My dad was Navy, my sister was Air Force.
The causes of kidney disease can be varied, and sometimes it helps to know the cause in order to best address it and keep it at bay. My husband's kidney disease was caused by untreated high blood pressure. Other causes can be diabetes complications, lifestyle, or genetic cause as you alluded to. As we age function naturally declines somewhat, also. You certainly sound on the right track, watching your diet, exercising, and keeping a good mental attitude.

I am glad you poked around this forum after getting the email, and have contributed! Looking forward to more insight and tips from you, when you can.
Ginger

Hi Fiesty 76 --No, I told the nurse "nothing"? Movements must be calculated and secret! Managing your way around the hospital is most important. First hours, you find the kitchen (one on each floor) and the fridge with endless snacks, tea, coffee. Then, the nappy supply, towels -- and if the food is not good you find another patient who has a relative who will bring in McDonalds.! Did you know that with your Visa you can order in new PJ's delivered if your stay becomes too long. Hospitals are boring - one must improvise. Georgia from Australia