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Mild kidney damage/stage 3a

Posted by livinglifeodb @livinglifeodb, Apr 7, 2023

I carried out some tests and did an abdominal pelvic scan because I was having persistent high blood pressure.The test showed I have mild kidney damage with a high level of creatinine.

My nephrologist prescribed two drugs for me: COVERAM & Bisoprolol fumarate and in a space of two weeks my creatinine went from 187µmol/L to 152µmol/L just on the drugs. Sadly, my creatinine went back to 163µmol/L last week and 160µmol/L when I checked today. How can I know from the Imaging scan result if my kidneys are injured or scarred ? Also, I found out that the egfr is not the best means to check for kidney function, what test can I possibly do to check how efficient my kidneys are functioning?

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flow | @flow | Apr 15, 2023
In reply to @yani2023 "In total agreement with the above comment. I had a kidney transplant one and half years..." + (show)
@yani2023

In total agreement with the above comment. I had a kidney transplant one and half years ago, I was able to delay my transplant till age of 73 by incorporating a plant based diet along with fish protein. Plant based diet in my own opinion helped me overall. I had tailspin due to the fact that I experience toxemia eclampsia in my younger years and also was breast cancer survivor. Check into a plant based diet with a kidney dietician. Even if you don't totally eliminated animal protein, if you cut down significantly this may lower your creatinine numbers. I have incorporated the use of tofu cooking meals. IT' all how you season tofu and incorporate it into different recipes. Library has load of recipe books using Tofu/ My favorite is used in stirfrys and to make delicious chicken salad. Season is the key again. In my situation. IT was my mind telling me I craved animal protein not my body. I am ever so glad I turned the corner delaying my kidney transplant for years using plant based diet. The craving was gone for meat. My doctor wa very happy.

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I was only diagnosed 9 months ago with 3a ckd but looking back at prior labs I found my eGFR was down into high 40’s and Dr. never said a word, so probably has been actually years. At any rate I too adopted a plant based diet over the last 9 months and my eGFR has increased to 67. I realize I need to watch trends but this is encouraging. My BP was borderline high and is now w/in limits as well. I allow one day a week to eat as I please which I think helps me. Lots of good recipes online. The thing I find difficult is eating small protein portions throughout the day rather than bigger ones as meals. I get tired of thinking about food all day!! Need to lose weight and focused on food all day makes that a challenge.

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diane | @dks | Apr 16, 2023

Sounds like you're on a good regimen!

Could you give examples of your daily exercise? How many glasses of water does your dr suggest? And could you share sample food suggestions for a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks)? Thanks for sharing!

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1 reply
goldsba | @goldsba | Apr 17, 2023
In reply to @dks "Sounds like you're on a good regimen! Could you give examples of your daily exercise? How..." + (show)
@dks

Sounds like you're on a good regimen!

Could you give examples of your daily exercise? How many glasses of water does your dr suggest? And could you share sample food suggestions for a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks)? Thanks for sharing!

Jump to this post

My daily exercise routine consists of 30 minutes on the bike or treadmill followed by several resistance weight machines for upper, mid and lower body. I do these exercises at a brisk pace because of want to keep my heart strong as well as maximizing my blood flow (this is very important for CKD). I typically drink 1.5L of water per day, which my doc feels is adequate. As are as my diet I eat a low sodium, low potassium diet, no phosphorous (no soda) diet. Breakfast typically consists of a cereal that is low sodium, low sugar, high in oats and grains like the Kasha brand along with a piece of fruit. Lunch is typically a piece of fruit and perhaps a hard boiled egg, and dinner is typically something with high quality protein like salad, fish or poultry/turkey. Snacks typically consists of fruit, nuts (often raw or blanched with no salt), yogurt chips. The major element to a beneficial diet is to minimize foods that are high in preservatives. To that end I shop at an all natural store, like Sprouts, and cook most of my own food. I NEVER go to fast food joints any more. Not only has this helped to slow my CKD progression, but has allowed me to keep my weight down. Hope this helps! Before making any diet changes I suggest meeting with both your nephroligist or primary doc and a renal dietician to ensure a diet plan that works for you and support total health.

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2 replies
diane | @dks | Apr 17, 2023
In reply to @goldsba "My daily exercise routine consists of 30 minutes on the bike or treadmill followed by several..." + (show)
@goldsba

My daily exercise routine consists of 30 minutes on the bike or treadmill followed by several resistance weight machines for upper, mid and lower body. I do these exercises at a brisk pace because of want to keep my heart strong as well as maximizing my blood flow (this is very important for CKD). I typically drink 1.5L of water per day, which my doc feels is adequate. As are as my diet I eat a low sodium, low potassium diet, no phosphorous (no soda) diet. Breakfast typically consists of a cereal that is low sodium, low sugar, high in oats and grains like the Kasha brand along with a piece of fruit. Lunch is typically a piece of fruit and perhaps a hard boiled egg, and dinner is typically something with high quality protein like salad, fish or poultry/turkey. Snacks typically consists of fruit, nuts (often raw or blanched with no salt), yogurt chips. The major element to a beneficial diet is to minimize foods that are high in preservatives. To that end I shop at an all natural store, like Sprouts, and cook most of my own food. I NEVER go to fast food joints any more. Not only has this helped to slow my CKD progression, but has allowed me to keep my weight down. Hope this helps! Before making any diet changes I suggest meeting with both your nephroligist or primary doc and a renal dietician to ensure a diet plan that works for you and support total health.

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Thank you so much for sharing your exercise, water, and meal plan! It really helps to see what others are doing to slow their progression and what's working for them! It's a full-time job for me to keep watch on getting enough exercise, water, and making sure I'm eating only good foods & fruits (like you, fresh!). Good thing I'm 70 and am home! ^_^ Best to you as your daily regimen continues working for you!

REPLY
johnmacc | @johnmacc | Apr 18, 2023
In reply to @goldsba "My daily exercise routine consists of 30 minutes on the bike or treadmill followed by several..." + (show)
@goldsba

My daily exercise routine consists of 30 minutes on the bike or treadmill followed by several resistance weight machines for upper, mid and lower body. I do these exercises at a brisk pace because of want to keep my heart strong as well as maximizing my blood flow (this is very important for CKD). I typically drink 1.5L of water per day, which my doc feels is adequate. As are as my diet I eat a low sodium, low potassium diet, no phosphorous (no soda) diet. Breakfast typically consists of a cereal that is low sodium, low sugar, high in oats and grains like the Kasha brand along with a piece of fruit. Lunch is typically a piece of fruit and perhaps a hard boiled egg, and dinner is typically something with high quality protein like salad, fish or poultry/turkey. Snacks typically consists of fruit, nuts (often raw or blanched with no salt), yogurt chips. The major element to a beneficial diet is to minimize foods that are high in preservatives. To that end I shop at an all natural store, like Sprouts, and cook most of my own food. I NEVER go to fast food joints any more. Not only has this helped to slow my CKD progression, but has allowed me to keep my weight down. Hope this helps! Before making any diet changes I suggest meeting with both your nephroligist or primary doc and a renal dietician to ensure a diet plan that works for you and support total health.

Jump to this post

Great job @goldsba. I might recommend adding a nice bit of non meat protein to your am diet making sure it doesn't push too high on the protein part of your diet. The are several good reasons to consider this. I start my day with low sugar oatmeal in unsweetened almond milk and strawberries. Soon thereafter I blend up one scoop of high quality whey protein powder with half a banana and another strawberry some almond milk and ice. Makes a great healthy shake and will help your rested body from catabolic state to anabolic state for the day. Johnmacc

REPLY
goldsba | @goldsba | Apr 18, 2023

Great suggestions and a solid breakfast plan. I also use the Almond Breeze milk in Vanilla. Very tasty. Because of the potassium I usually limit my banana intake to 1/2 per week, but am a big user of strawberries, apples, grapes, and blueberries.

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vlharvey | @vlharvey | Apr 19, 2023

what is the problem with potassium? I have leg cramps that just won't stop, so I don't want to limit my potassium, but I also have chronic kidney disease.

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Apr 19, 2023
In reply to @vlharvey "what is the problem with potassium? I have leg cramps that just won't stop, so I..." + (show)
@vlharvey

what is the problem with potassium? I have leg cramps that just won't stop, so I don't want to limit my potassium, but I also have chronic kidney disease.

Jump to this post

@vlharvey We need potassium to survive, but too much is not a good thing, just as too little is also not good. Here is an article from the American kidney Fund that will help explain it to you:

https://www.kidneyfund.org/living-kidney-disease/health-problems-caused-kidney-disease/high-potassium-hyperkalemia-causes-prevention-and-treatment?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=beyondbananas&gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImsal9o-3_gIVIjOtBh02ZQKAEAAYASAAEgIsKvD_BwE

Have you reviewed your recent bloodwork reports, and seen the potassium levels noted there?
Ginger

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