Hi. I'm struggling with weight, and now I have a heart problem and a kidney problem. My doctors here have always given medicine before any diet advice. And I have stage 3a kidney disease and didn't even get a call from the doctor to say so. She says I don't need a nephrologist, because my disease is only moderate. I've read as much as I could, and the consensus was that I need advice as to what type of kidney disease I have, in order to decide how I should adjust my diet. I have swelling in my feet and lower legs. I have found that the clearest answers have been on the UK and Australian sites, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that you have a community for Americans.
My Dad was born in Manchester. I have an affection for England and English things, and so I'm glad to be able to visit here. I was born in Detroit, MI, where Daddy came to find work in the auto industry. After being married a few years, and with Detroit being less safe for us, my husband and I and our three sons moved to North Carolina. My husband is blind, and he worked for thirty years or so as a piano technician at East Carolina University. We have benefited from moving here, because our lives became blessed with music, and we have cultural opportunities more convenient to us.
Also, I took Omeprazole for many years, and I began to have leg swelling, which actually was also to the knees and abdomen. I only realized this when I stopped cold turkey. My doctor said I had too little acid in my stomach, caused by medicine. He put it in writing, but didn't discuss it with me. When I read it, I tapered off by breaking the capsules and taking half for a few days, then half every other day, then stopped. I lost 20 lbs of fluid. So, I'm not into taking pills anymore. However, I started taking an OTC antacid, and the swelling came back. So I did research, found that metallic antacids hurt the kidneys. That's how I came to find out that my GFR is at stage 3a. Doctors didn't tell me. I'm assuming that's because our system is oriented toward illness, not wellness. Omeprazole now has a warning with regard to heart disease. Now, I can't take NSAIDS, which I have not relied upon, so that's good.
I've read a few posts, and it seems very interesting to read posts from people so far away. Not even a complaint about Trump, LOL. You Brits look very good from this side of the ocean. I need to learn how the community works. Thanks for being here.
