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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): How do I stop progression?
Kidney & Bladder | Last Active: Oct 5, 2020 | Replies (58)Comment receiving replies
I was diagnosed with CKD about 15 years ago. About 10 years it progressed to Stage 3. I am now 3b, hovering about 32% for last 1.5 years. The cause of my CKD is a very rare disorder where collagen buildup is blocking the filtering components. I placed myself on a fairly strict kidney diet, and mesh it in with a gout friendly diet. No oranges/bananas/potatoes/tomatoes/pork/purines/shellfish, etc. While the Drs said it wasn't necessary, I said it was, to help control any decline. My advice is to be proactive in your treatment, don't wait for the medical team to tell you next step.
Replies to "I was diagnosed with CKD about 15 years ago. About 10 years it progressed to Stage..."
@gingerw, You are living proof that we, the patients, must take a proactive approach to our health while working with our doctor.
I wish you many years of continued health.
What kind of monitoring does your doctor do to stay 'on top' of your condition?
Thank you, Rosemary. I have quarterly testing, with complete labs. I have had to be my own advocate since a 1988 of systemic lupus, and additional health concerns with cervical cancer, malignant melanoma, and other things besides the kidney issues. It is important to be accurately informed [It's your right!], and not afraid to ask questions. Or even confront your Drs if they may be telling you something that "doesn't feel right". That has happened to me. Didn't make me popular with some, but gained the respect of others.
One prime example was telling my primary Dr that my kidneys were hurting, creating flank pain. He said "that doesn't happen." I asked for testing. Showed they both had a raging infection. If I had waited, they would have failed me completely within 24 hrs.
@gingerw, I agree that we need to speak up, and to listen to our bodies. Good for you for knowing when something 'just doesn't feel right'. I have a PCP who knows me well enough and when I tell him something 'just doesn't feel right' , he listens and is ready to act or to refer me to someone who can help me.
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Thanks you have been very helpful to me..I appreciate knowing about shell fish..etc..that's a big help!..and you are so correct! I took charge..putting myself on a strict diet! I have 1 kidney lost one to cancer 25 years ago! It has some scaring done to. The outside of it...but I was told amount ago I was in stage 3a..scare me to death!..I didn't know a 1 or 2 exist?...they said they were watching me close so how did I go straight to 3a..no one ever told me..and they were testing me all the time!