Want to hear from others who have Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

My Nephrologist clearly said that some people have detectable blood cells in their urine. I'm not saying if you are peeing blood it's ok. I've had detectable blood in my urine since my 20's (i'm now 65). He said they don't exactly know why, but it's routine for some people. Early on he did a biopsy of my kidney to see if he could find a reason for the blood and he could not. That is when he told me it is routine in some people. If you have blood that you can see, I'd say something is wrong. He said that some kidneys in some people routinely release a little detectable blood and that they are otherwise normal. I want to be clear. You won't see this amount of blood except by test.

My Nephrologist clearly said that some people have detectable blood cells in their urine. I'm not saying if you are peeing blood it's ok. I've had detectable blood in my urine since my 20's (i'm now 65). He said they don't exactly know why, but it's routine for some people. Early on he did a biopsy of my kidney to see if he could find a reason for the blood and he could not. That is when he told me it is routine in some people. If you have blood that you can see, I'd say something is wrong. He said that some kidneys in some people routinely release a little detectable blood and that they are otherwise normal. I want to be clear. You won't see this amount of blood except by test.

Sure Ginger.
https://blogs.davita.com/kidney-diet-tips/baking-soda-kidney-disease/
There is more on it than this link. In another it mentions it "slows" the progression in some patients. I'm not suggesting overdoing it. But I take it nightly to prevent reflux which for me was chronic but now I rarely get it. There are other less credible references that alkaline water can also reduce the risk of some cancers. That part I'm not going to validate. But you should research it.

@billagreste I read the link you provided, and no place in there does it state nor suggest that baking soda will/may help clear creatinine. Anyone who needs to be careful with sodium levels would be wise to follow their medical team's guidelines.
Ginger

Hi @anet. I hope your husband continues to be doing ok. Coming in a little late on this thread but wanted to tell you I have been Stage 4 for over 24 years. I just turned 60. I am not on dialysis but my function continues to slowly deteriorate. I recently got accepted for the transplant list hoping for a new kidney before I progress to Stage 5. As of now, I'm able to work and pretty much live my life as I please except for all the doctor, transplant center and lab appointments. Fatigue is my enemy so I try not to overdo it. So, of course, you're worried, but keeping a positive attitude, will go a long way for both of you.

How have you kept your kidneys from getting worse?

I have always had blood in my urine. But it’s because I’m a hemophiliac and I seem to seep a little blood from a lot of my body parts all the time.

Hi, Bill, I am both eager and anxious to get my next lab report. With covid and some grocery order shortages, I've worked to maintain my kidney diet but know I've added some "comfort" foods...biggest culprit, Irish potatoes and a few others that may change my ckd #'s. I've been good to really limit salt and sugar from my diet but do the occs'l splurge on a pretzel or bite-sized candy. I eat a lot of veggie salads and use no dressing other than a rare splash of olive oil and vinegar. Using spices like Mrs Dash and others helps with flavoring but it is more of a struggle now with the virus.