Just diagnosed with stage four kidney disease: Need encouragement

am new to this form of story telling i was born 1952 an need another kidney is it my fault that i did not understand the science soon enough how did i not know how bad things were see i blame the doctors how was it possible that i leaned more from the doctors nurse what wrong with kidney doctors in Seattle kidney diese no cure as i learned the hard way death sentence

I am a 78-year-old with Stage 4 severe at 27 eGFR. I have been as low as 23 and managed to bring it back up. It does vary from 27 to 29, but my Mayo nephrologist isn't worried. Less salt, at least 32 oz of water, watch potassium.
Mine is a combination of genetics, as both great-grandmothers died of kidney disease, and also kidney trauma from many kidney infections and kidney stones. I was very worried about being Stage 4, but the reassurance from my doctor changed that.
I would definitely talk to your daughter about it. Especially if it is genetic.
I wish you all the best.

I’m stage 3B and I have googled many sites for lists of good and bad foods, supplements and condiments asking for all their values. Sodium, phosphorus and potassium are the most important to watch. Google lists for stage 4 ckd. Two good sites are the Kidney Foundation and the main Kidney site (forgot the name. You will find a wealth of information just by googling for the lists.
Main things are any kind of meat or poultry, no larger than a deck of cards. No fast food, junk snacks, artificial ingredients, candy, soda deli meats. That’s a partial list. Lots of assorted vegetables ( but check their nutrition), small amounts of protein and limited fruits (mainly apples and pineapple are ok). Exercise is a must but don’t overdo. Lots of water to help flush out your kidneys. Your urine should be pale yellow and you’ll know that by your liquid consumption.
I’m not perfect on this diet but I Do My Best, and if you can do that, I think you can improve or not get much worse. Dedication and determination are your allies.
Best of luck and God Bless You.

@bobfree242 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Kidney disease can be pretty darned sneaky, and our bodies learn to adapt to lessening function.

Have you regularly been seeing doctors, and having blood tests for your health? Chronic kidney disease can be caused by unregulated high blood pressure, or diabetes, medication side effects long term, genetics, or lifestyle.

What is your function or eGFR level now? Have they determined what the cause of your function decline is?
Ginger

no that has never been done i will become a customer soon im hoping to get an answer but now im looking forwad to the next or the last time of my life it will get better its look up to the future

Absolutely, @bobfree242! Get the education you need to figure out how best to handle your health situation. We are each a bit different, and what works for me may not be the best route for you to take. We find that paying close attention to our diet is the biggest factor in helping our health, and can also be the most challenging. And if you have other issues going on, you need to address those also.

I am looking forward to you sharing more about what you find out, and letting me know how I can help you find answers. We are not medical doctors, and cannot give medical advice, but so many of us with kidney concerns have a lot of experience to share!
Ginger

I had stage 4 CKD diagnosed by my nephrologist. It was mainly due to diabetes and a history of hypertension (high blood pressure) in 2008. My eGFR bounced around between 14 - 44. In 2016 I was evaluated and approved for kidney transplant. I am inactively listed with Mayo for kidney transplant and have been looking for a living donor so I will be ready when the need and time comes. Now I have stage 3 CKD and an eGFR in the low 30’s. The things that have made the most difference is a good endocrinologist who helps me control the diabetes as best I can, a good nephrologist who has me on blood pressure meds and monitors my kidney function labs. These include eGFR, creatinine, BUN, calcium, protein, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, oxalates….. He says that I need to “eat for the labs”. By this he means there are some foods and beverages that I need to limit and others that are not a problem for me. He referred me to a dietician that is experienced with the requirements for my diabetes and also with renal nutrition. She helped me customize an eating plan that meets my diabetic & my CKD needs including lists of the various food groups (things to limit & things that are ok). There are some generalizations but mainly it is low carbohydrate, no salt, low fat. I count grams of carbohydrate to calculate insulin dosing at mealtimes using an insulin : carb ratio. I eliminated sodium wherever possible. I limit the “bad fats” (trans fat, saturated fats) that increase LDL and use the “good fats” such as olive oil etc that contribute to increased HDL. I eat the amount of protein that is recommended for my height, weight, age and gender. I limit red meat (beef). I usually have poultry, fish, seafood, some pork, eggs, cheese & Greek yogurt. I grill, roast and boil (rarely fry anything). I have the lists from the dietician of what to avoid and what is ok for other foods. I am blessed that I don’t have the common problems many CKD patients have with potassium, phosphorus or oxalates. I have osteoporosis and take calcium supplements and get an injection every 6 months. Once the calcium turned up high in my kidney labs and I was told to decrease the dose of calcium supplement. I also have anemia associated with the CKD. My nephrologist has conducted iron study labs on me from time to time and recommended iron. I have had supplements and even iron IV infusions at times. But consuming foods high in iron is preferable (and doesn’t constipate!) Regarding hydration; I REALLY dislike plain water (it’s a long sad story) but I realize it is important. I’ve found that some drops of Real-lemon or Real-lime help a lot or a slice of the actual citrus fruit. I also like Crystal Light or other store brand flavored drink mixes (no or low carb). Awareness of CKD started in 2005 (20 years ago at age 48) when I was told that I had minimal to moderate dysfunction. There was no mention of stage number or alphabet letter. Now 2025, 20 years later at age 68 I am told that things are “stable”. I am still hoping to find a living kidney donor and have a preemptive kidney transplant before dialysis becomes a necessity. I am a person of Christian faith and I believe my life is not my own. I’ve given it to God. I know that His plan (timing, means, method…..etc) is better for me than my own control freakish ways.

Son has stage 5 kidney disease. I am 79 and wondered if I could give him one of my kidney's (if blood type matches) or do they transplant just 1 kidney or both?

@donnamaer Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That is very adorable to want to donate a kidney to your son! Being able to donate as a living donor at your age would be at the decision of the transplant center where you son is listed at. There is quite a battery of tests to go through for the donor to be approved, and several factors to be considered.

As to your question, only one kidney is transplanted. Where is your son listed to be on the transplant list? Has he gone through the evaluation process to be a recipient, yet?
Ginger

I have been hearing more and more about hydrogen water and the benefits to the kidney. Is anyone drinking hydrogen water, and has CKD?