I was recently referred to a specialist due to a gfr level of 39 to 45 and creatine level of 1.5.... any advice
New to this: I was recently referred to a... - Early CKD Support
New to this
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Welcome. First thing, keep your appointment. You didn't say what specialty the doctor was. If it was a nephrologist go back and read the second sentence. For the creatine, your number is 1.5 and the upper number in the normal range is 1.4 so you aren't that bad. The GFR is in the early stages so there are lots of things you can do at this time. If you smoke, stop. If you drink, minimize the amount. Be careful what you eat as many things that you may think are good for you may actually harm your kidneys. Go to davita.com and look over their recipes for ideas that will help you slow down the progression of CKD.
Do as much research as possible on Chronic Kidney Disease and feel better about your appointment to be able to ask strong questions about the steps ahead. Your specialist will run labs to see what specific things, (potassium, sodium, calcium, protein, phosphorus, etc.) to lower or eliminate to a large extent. If you need to lose weight be prepared to endure a slow process because until your body adjusts to the new diet weight loss may slow down.
Check back here as often as you can. There are lots of terrific people here for support and sharing.
Welcome. Ask here for recommendations of books people have found helpful in planning meals for people with kidney disease.
Only thing i can say would to be, "CHANGE YOUR DIET" That's about the only thing you have control of. Read about what you're allowed to eat while in Stage 3B Kidney Failure and eat only those items.
This whole thing is VERY NEW to me also. My so called doctors NEVER even told me i was on Stage 3B Kidney Failure, i did research and found out for myself !
I have made appointments to see a couple DIFFERENT DOCTORS, one being a Nephrologist & the other a Neurologist to find out why i have "neuropathy." Since the main reason for neuropathy is diabetes (from what my research has found) I AM NOT a DIABETIC so it seems as though i may have a, "even more sinister" reson for the neuropathy.
My life has basically STOPPED since i was diagnosed with KIDNEY CANCER in 2012. I was 42 years old and in the best shape of my life ! I was strong as hell, benching 445 lbs, squatting 670 lbs, dead lifting 630 lbs, seated military press 405 & still able to run the mile in 6:55, while weighing in at 220.
I had just over 20 years working as a Correctional Officer and just loved life, until that night when i left work due to flank pain. After my testing was complete and the ER doctor opened that curtain to come and tell me the results, "I KNEW" this news he had was about to change my life COMPLETELY ! I will NEVER forget him saying i had the "C" WORD, he might as well have shot me where i laid, it would have been more humane, then to allow me to watch myself shrnik up to the person i am now !
By now you realize that too much protein is a bad thing. Also, whey protein powder's molecules are larger than pea or sprouted brown rice protein powders (I say pea and rice as together they make a complete protein). The other vegan choices of powders have so many ingredients in them I prefer to make it simple and I have acquired a taste for the pea and rice combo but the hemps never going happen with me (aftertaste). I'm maintaining my muscle even with the reduced protein and switch to vegan. I have bilateral flank pain that I noticed when I lay down on my back to do mat exercises; my kidneys are sore (I can feel them). I also have kidney stones (which causes no pain unless the stones are traveling and it's a way different kind of pain) but the pcp and the urologist don't think it's anything. My GFR went down to 58 and my creatinine doubled but didn't quite go over...still nothing from the docs so I'm treating myself like a CKD patient and not waiting for doctors to be too late. So I hear ya about ignorant doctors. It's amazing most of them don't even know about basic diet needs of diseases. I don't beat around the bush with the docs; I tell them what I want to be done and they do it (very nicely of course). I just changed urologists because the one kept having me do CTs. He kept insisting and I told him I was going to find alternatives and found another urologist. 2 CTs in 1 year ok, but above that plus the x-rays is way too much radiation. I found a doc who will do ultrasounds and MRI if needed. Good luck to you. I'm almost 70 and didn't stop my workouts. I changed my diet though. I realize your situation is a worse than mine. If you've shrunk down from the man you were did you stop exercising....I'm not understanding.
dont worry much , you can live with it , by the way whts ur age n gender?
Hi and welcome. It's always shocking to find out you have a chronic disease, especially if you've had no warning signs or symptoms. Once you discover more information, it will be easier to deal with it all. There are lots of wonderful supportive people on this forum.
Do they know what caused your CKD? Have they done or are they planning to do a biopsy? Knowing the cause can be useful in some cases. Lots was already mentioned, but also make sure to read all warnings on medications, avoid NSAID such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Use Tylonol instead in small doses. Also get a home blood pressure monitor and monitor it daily. Mine went from low normal to high in a year and I had to go on bp meds.
Hang in there! You aren't alone, people on here understand what you are going through.
hi..if you take care of this level it should last you at least 15 years maybe more..but you have to eat very little red meat and eat only fresh not processed meat..drink water min 2 ltr a day.and keep weight down to normal levels..and most important of all keep happy dont worry...regards chris..transplant kidney a year ago and doing outstanding...
Yes, You need to try and relax and do not over worry. Bascially try and be healthy and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You will be fine if you put yourself as number #1. Take care of YOU, first. XXOO Have a good one !!