Dietician said only stay hydrated with Stage 3b CKD....no other diet

@kayabbott Sad to say, most of us with CKD have heard the same dismissive attitude/advice.

When I was told I was Stage 2, back in 2007, immediately I researched and went to a renal diet. For years the medical team told me it wasn't necessary, but I truly believe taking control of my diet [one thing in my life I could control!] helped me slow down the progression of CKD.

Research what will work for you. Reduced sodium, limited phosphorous/calcium/sugar/red meat/potassium will help you. Hydrate well. Moderate exercise. Reduced stress. Good quality rest.
National Kidney Foundation nutrition information: https://www.kidney.org/nutrition
Renal Support Network: https://www.rsnhope.org/nutrition-data-information-for-the-kidney-diet/
Fresenius Kidney Care diet information: https://www.freseniuskidneycare.com/recipes-and-nutrition

Make a cup of tea and settle in to read through some great articles!
Ginger

@gingerw Thank you so much; I look forward to reading them. I've been reading NIH and other papers (good for insomnia). The Kaiser Perm. renal dietician wouldn't even give me a reference for a book or list of preferred/not foods for diet. She didn't seem to know what a stage 3b CKD diet is, just said my bloodwork is fine so drink enough water. My diet has been low in sugar, salt, and processed foods for many years pre-CKD, and have celiac and collagenous colitis so used to doing more with less. I used to be an exercise fiend, now it is noderate while fantasizing napping.

@gingerw I was told essentially the same thing, except I worry!
Changed to a renal diet.
The damage can’t be repaired, but it can be maintained and stable.

@mah7925 Yes, we can take steps to help our situation. Stopping NSAIDS like Alleve also helps. Sometimes our bodies will respond by improving. It's ultimately up to us how we handle it all.

Remember, we are all here to support each other, tell our stories of what did or didn't work for us, learn from each other. As Martha Stewart would say, "it's a good thing!"

I won’t know how I’m doing until my next blood draw.

I was largely given the same advice. Drink enough water. No major diet changes, other than reducing salt and the 3 Ps. I've reduced red meat intake, doing more plant based protein. More careful when dining out - when that's possible. Oh, the sodium in restaurant food, it's so high.

@gwladj76 We have been low sugar and salf for many years so eating out is like chugging salt. I'm gluten free cuz of celiac and my diet restrictions for colitis collide with the kidney diet. This dietician did not get a good review . The last one I spoke with, a few years ago, asked me what gluten is.

Hi, I was also told to just watch the hydration part. When I saw a Renal Nutritionist/Dietician though I learned so very much more. I am at stage 3B and it bounces in eGFR numbers with every test. I researched the reason for this and learned that we are supposed to abstain from eating protein for at least the night before throughout the test as that messes with the numbers. My Nutritionist also has me reading the book called, The Complete 4-in-1 Kidney Disease Diet and Food List Guide for CKD Stages 3-4. It's written by Janeth Kingston, BSN, RN and sells on Amazon. I highly recommend this book. Damage from kidneys is never undone so like a previous comment says we can only work on stopping damage that will happen in the future and delay it as long as possible. Do everything in your power to save your kidneys. Have a great day and update us with what you learn and do.

@happilyalive Thank you. I look forward to reading the book. Great that you found someone that is proactive to our disease. Last Feb. the eye doctor prescribed AREDS2 for AMD (I think D stands for damn rather than degeneration); along with my multivitamine I was getting about 4000 times the RDA of copper and zinc. Off that now, but the renal dietitian didn't know that heavy metals can damage kidneys, particularly on top of existing damage. We will see next month if that effects my renal panel results. One is never too old to be a lab rat.

Wow, you have already experienced a lot. I'm glad that you educated the dietician about the heavy metals and the damage it can do to kidneys. I laughed when I read what the D stands for in your opinion on the AMD. My husband is battling that right now and losing the fight with one eye. He just started Vabysmo. Unfortunately his eye will never improve but they are hoping to keep it from getting worse. I wish you the best in your eye care. Please keep me updated and thank you for responding to the post. I'm hoping that you have great news with your renal panel results. Hopefully also it will tell you what areas need your attention now and in the future. Have a great day.