Stage 3a kidney disease: looking for info

Posted by Ryman @ryman, Jul 2, 2022

I just learned today I have stage3a kidney disease. All my doctor told me was that my kidneys showed dehydration. I am clueless and I remembered I used to come here often. So right now I am just looking for basic info. Thank you. I recall this being a very helpful forum.

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@cekkk

If that is your only problem, meaning, you do not have diabetes, it’s not that difficult to find a diet that is going to please you. Just Google it or someone may post one here or how to find one. On the other hand, in my situation with type two diabetes and stage 3CKD, my instructions are simple. Go to the grocery store. If you see something you want, you can’t have it.

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Yup. The latter is the case and even if I were to accept A diet of greens that rabbit's head rejected, that would not suffice. No Spinach?

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For me, the firsts changes were from dairy to almond products, limit potatoes/boil twice, reduce bread, eat low sugar oatmeal, stopped drinking cola and switched to sprite, replaced sugar with Monk fruit, avoid fruits and veggies with high potassium , no phosphate products….. but it all depends on your numbers. Ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian that specializes in kidney issues. I wish that I had been more alarmed initially, and made changes sooner - best of luck.

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@gingerw

@dks There will no doubt be days when you feel extra thirsty, or you simply do not feel like drinking much. Be gentle on yourself. Aim for your optimal amount, but don't beat yourself up if you go over or don't get the full amount on any given day. Try to do better the next day.
Ginger

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@gingerw ~ Thanks for the encouragement! That's the only attitude that tends to keep my anxieties at bay. Do the best I can on any given day with the water intake, exercise, and eating fresh foods. Oh! And trying to get plenty of sleep at night. The older I get, the more new items get added to that list. Ha!

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@cekkk

If that is your only problem, meaning, you do not have diabetes, it’s not that difficult to find a diet that is going to please you. Just Google it or someone may post one here or how to find one. On the other hand, in my situation with type two diabetes and stage 3CKD, my instructions are simple. Go to the grocery store. If you see something you want, you can’t have it.

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That is sad but so truthful.

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Is there any long term stage 3 patients that are following the diet and not losing ground?

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@dks

Thank you! I haven't been able to see a nephrologist yet, so I've been working with my Primary and my Urology PA. My primary is saying to drink 64 oz/day, while my Urology PA is saying that since I'm so petite, it would be good for me to drink between 5-6 glasses/day. I have to admit that 8 glasses/day is hard for me, but I understand water is very important.

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Yes,I feel I am being waterboarded.

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@nscappa

Hello,
I'm nscappa (Nancy) and I read Colleen's reply to your post so I thought I would read your post. I am very sorry that you now have CKD3 after sharing your other kidney with your father, whom you obviously love very dearly. You did a very selfless thing and then to hear that you have CKD3 must have been devastating to you. I can only tell you a bit about my situation and maybe it will be of some help to you. I had CKD3 and I didn't know I had it. MY G.P. (whom I loved) neglected to mention it to me and I happened to see it on my paperwork some time later. I was shocked, what the heck is kidney disease stage 3??? I started looking up all that I could about it and, like you, I purchased books, cook books (that was a joke since I don't cook very much), etc. I did find this site which I just love, and DaVita (another great site with a lot of great information to help guide you. My last GFR was 49 which had gone up about 5 points. I am awaiting my next doctor's appt. on September 21 so I can finally get to see how I am doing. I have cut way back on salt, I'm eating so many veggies but I have to cook them. Bummer! I have been steaming broccoli (the tops) and they are yummy. I have been making zucchini, onions, and eggs for a great omelet. I have even sauteed eggplant by itself with a bit of salt. I roast red peppers (I love them), some cottage cheese but it does have quite a bit of salt. I eat fish (flounder, haddock, salmon), hamburg patties (maybe 2 times a week), bananas (minimum of 4 a week). I take potassium supplements so I don't have to worry too much about this. I do have toast every morning (my favorite) and I use Smart Balance instead of butter. For sweetener I use Stevia in the Raw which is one of the safest sweeteners out there. Sometimes I have some Ritz with coffee (I limit the amount of them). I have found an amazing frozen treat instead of ice cream (which I have no control over at all). It is called "Out Shine" which are bars like fudgsicles but they are very low in salt and sugar but they are very creamy and delicious. Do I sound like Martha Stewart??? I hope not. I am just wanting to share what I am doing to help stop the progress of my CKD3. Funny, my cousin Carolyn also has CKD3 and she has gone to a Nephrologist (I have not as yet). He told her to keep eating like she is, cut back on salt and drink water. Really??? Here I am watching protein, magnesium, phosphorous, etc., etc. I was shocked so now I'm not sure if I'm depriving myself or doing the right thing. I will admit that eating this way gets boring after a while and I do feel deprived. I would kill for Pizza or Chinese Food. I probably could have them occasionally but I am somewhat leery to. I do have to drink more water but sometimes I don't drink enough even though I love water. Go figure! I also need to start exercising much more than I have been. The weather here in Beverly, MA has been in the nineties with nice humidity : ( so I will start as soon as it gets cooler (I hope). Well, I am all talked out but I hope I have helped you in some way. You are getting mixed messages which really isn't fair. Your dietician should be a big help to you and if you get any exciting info from her please do share, I would really appreciate that. So, for now goodbye and keep in touch when you can. My best to you.
Nancy S. (nscappa)

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You are doing the right thing.I dropped from 57 to 44 in 1 month.I semi followed the plan but did not drink enough water.I dont remember ever having a drink of water for 73 years,I drank coke and so did my mother.My mother passed at 93 with no kidney disease.I feel she owes me 20 years!!!!!Ha The drop scared me so much that I now stick to the program.If this doesnt work,I plan to have a hot fudge sundae before I kick the bucket.

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@sammyloue

Seem to be doing okay. Probably won't have a CKD test until first of the new year. Have had stage 3 for over 20 years. Mostly drink water. Stay away from some foods.

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It seems you have been doing the right things for such a great outcome. My mom just got diagnosed and I am learning things for the first time. I am the one that has been hands on and preparing her meals. Would you care to share your daily diet? I know it is as important as drinking water and keeping hydrated. Are you on any medication? It is important to know as many medications as possible so I can make the right informed decision which one works for her. Which foods do you stay away from? Anything you will share will be greatly appreciated.

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@sammyloue

Many doctors do not care to discuss CKD; they think there is nothing to do for it. Or they just don't think. Many are doctors just to get the money. I had CKD stage 3 for 18 years and 3 doctors or the hospital did not tell me. Moved to NC and first doctor told me I was stage 3. Scared me! I sent to former hospital in Ohio for all my records. Every test showed stage 3 CKD. My last test came in with stage 2. Must have been a change in diet: making vegetable soup with a small amount of beef for a large pot. So, I have a chicken sandwich and slaw for lunch and the veg soup for dinner. Drink 64 ounces of water - this is extremely important. I do not know about how much water for stage 4 or 5-never been there.

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Thank you for sharing. My mother just got diagnosed and I have been looking for her to have as healthy as possible diet. The soup sounds like a great idea.

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@charlie1234

It seems you have been doing the right things for such a great outcome. My mom just got diagnosed and I am learning things for the first time. I am the one that has been hands on and preparing her meals. Would you care to share your daily diet? I know it is as important as drinking water and keeping hydrated. Are you on any medication? It is important to know as many medications as possible so I can make the right informed decision which one works for her. Which foods do you stay away from? Anything you will share will be greatly appreciated.

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Yes, I am taking a lot of medicine: 2 for High Blood Pressure(which very lilely caused the CKD), one for cholesterol one for nerves, 5 vitamins=Centrum silver, Folic Acid,B6,B12, for Atherclerosis. Breakfast: small amount of raisin bran, sometimes toast with strawberry jam. For lunch these days I usually have a deli chicken sandwich & cole slaw, mandarin oranges in those little cups. Eat very little red meat. Doctor told me this week that I can have a steak sometimes. Probably won't. Dinner varies: Since I am 95 I do not cook much. Makes me very tired. I live with my son and daughter-in-law. Son has been in hospital and rehab for 5 months and she is there every day so she does not cook much. They like Italian when he is home to cook it. Pizza sometimes. Actually she does not get hungry! Strange! 2 things I do make veg soup, potato salad(all veggies so I recommend). Their kitchen is so much different (larger) from mine at home and I use a walker which takes a lot of time.

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