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[hinch32]

I’m male, 86, weak heart, 3-lead pacemaker fitted. Been told kidneys ‘packingup’ along with diabetes. What best to delay the inevitable as I have plenty to live for!

[overnighthearingloss]

If you haven't tried it already then look to your everyday diet. Food we eat is what nourishes us and ultimately provides our life force.

I know at 86 your will have distinct likes and dislikes and may believe that it's best to just stick with what you know. But Hippocrates said let food be your medicine. And he may not have been wrong.

The modern day diet is vastly different from what it once was. So much of the modern day diet contains processed food. Even bread, referred to as the staff of life is a highly processed product these days.

Try to make a high proportion of your diet fresh foods. I know convenience is probably quite an important factor given your age, but 'Living foods' contain much more in the way of vitamins and enzymes which are important at any age to good health.

I am not necessarily suggesting you adopt a vegan lifestyle but you might want to google Caudwell Esselstyn, or Dr Michael Gregger, who have linked diet and health. Caudwell Esselstyn aided Bill Clinton following his heart problems and even refers to heart disease as a paper tiger.

Veganism aside it's said that if 80% of your diet is good you can get away with the other 20%.

Try to see the current situation as a challenge that you are going to work with and stay positive.

[hinch32 in reply to overnighthearingloss]

Thank you very much. Greatly appreciate your helpful reply.

[wingsofadove]

Hello hinch.

Like me you were born in 1932, and am CKD3, along with ischaemic heart disease, bowel disease, and lots more. I was told many years ago that my kidneys were packing up, and so far they are carrying me on. Live sensibly, eat whole food as much as you can, I don't think there is a lot more you can do, but smile every day and try to stay positive. 1932 was a good year, we have come this far, so carry on doing what you have been doing to get this far. Good luck.

[hinch32 in reply to wingsofadove]

Thank you very much.

[lowraind]

Thank you! Some people do have a don't worry, be happy attitude, but there are those who while not exactly being of the don't worry persuasion, do know that there are many things we can do to prolong our lives and still be happy!

[hinch32 in reply to lowraind]

Thank you. I am absolutely sure that the majority of us can improve on the way we live and think. Again, many thanks.

[lowraind]

Hinch32,

Welcome! There are many of us who have walked your path. You can delay ckd getting worse. You did not give specifics, particularly creatinine level and GFR. Those would be helpful to know.

By limiting sodium, potassium, phosphorous and protein, keeping hydrated and by moderately exercising, some of us have improved our condition. Don't know where you live or if you have assistance in caring for yourself, but the following sites will help you get started:

National education, support and advocacy organizations:

• DaVita Kidney Disease and Dialysis Forums is well known for their recipes but they also have a forum for patients too.

• Renal Support Network provides many support and advocacy services including a phone support line.

• AAKP is a comprehensive resource focusing on the quality of life for kidney patients through education, advocacy, patient engagement and the fostering of patient communities.

• National Kidney Foundation provides a portal for patients too.

Know that we are here to help you. You may want to follow Mr. Kidney's postings. He is a wise man and has helped me since I was diagnosed. I am 77 and stage 3.

lowraind

[hinch32 in reply to lowraind]

An extremely helpful reply. Many, many thanks.

[RickHow]

I can advise you based upon the experience of my parents. BOTH were told their kidneys were failing when they were in their early 80's. My mother lived to be 86 and died of dementia. My father (who was told his kidneys were failing when he was 80), lived quite normally until his death of natural causes just shy of 93. Of course your kidneys are failing. Everyone's kidney, fail a little each year after the age of 65. The egfr decreases with age. My father used to yell back at the doctor (when he was in his late 80's, early 90's) "I don't need your advice. I made it this far. I feel good. There is no sense to live longer if you have to live without pleasures while you wait for the inevitable". He was not foolish. He did not smoke or drink. He tried to be active. He ate a normal diet, and enjoyed his sweet treats and ice cream. (He had no diabetes). Just use the common sense that got you to age 86. At 86 you are not going to reduce the condition of your kidneys. Follow your normal diabetes diet and enjoy while you can the things you say you have a lot to live for. My fathers philosophy was simple. He was not going to be a fool and do things and eat things which could cause more harm than good. but he was going to live normally as he had to obtain his age in the 80's when told his kidneys were bad. He thought and said, do I want to monitor every move I make, every food I normally eat, for each of my remaining years, and thereby extend my life by one year. Or do I want to be just sensible and live my normal life. He died in his sleep at almost 93.

[hinch32 in reply to RickHow]

So very interesting and helpful. Greatly appreciated.

[hinch32]

Not a very helpful reply. There is so much there that I cannot agree with. I am far from depressed but a reply like this could make me!!!

[Sdtagoo in reply to hinch32]

With mans life span growing in this day and age, who knows how long you may live. Many live to be over 100! Eat fresh foods, watch your protein, phosphorus, and salt. Follow a kidney diet as the others have suggested, and enjoy the life God has given you!

[hinch32 in reply to Sdtagoo]

Thank you and I do honestly enjoy and love life. Just finding it difficult to think and act for myself having looked after, for many years, my wife with advanced Alzheimer’s and who has recently died.

[Sdtagoo in reply to hinch32]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I took care of my mother who had dementia for years. She passed away on April 13 of this year. I miss her very much and do find myself feeling alone and without that advice and wisdom. You will do fine. Just stay strong and watch your diet

[hinch32 in reply to Sdtagoo]

Thank you for your understanding and sympathetic reply.

[Celtic]

hinch, my kidney function (I only have one) has been as low as 28% at times but it has just been recorded at it's best in 2 years at 43%. Having had a sole kidney for very many decades, I have always been kidney-aware in that I have never smoked, rarely indulged in alcohol (never now), eat mostly organic food and have avoided salt in my meals. The only recent changes I have made is to lose about 10 lbs in weight and have restricted red meat to a very small occasional amount, instead eating more turkey, chicken and oily fish. You sound a positive person so carry on doing what you are doing and enjoy each and every day.

[hinch32 in reply to Celtic]

Thank you very much Celtic. Yes I am a positive person who laughs quite a lot and thus enjoys life. Just wanted advice on how best to live and help myself. Thankfully many a reply has done that.

[Hidden]

Hi hinch32

Okay, I am almost 64 and last year I was diagnosed with CKD Stage 4, along with a mass on my right (or left?) kidney and several more health issues. I was petrified! I need to be alive for my autistic daughter and I have many things I want to keep doing! I did four things:

1. Pray to Jesus for healing.

2. Eat healthier yet still allowed dessert and favorite foods.

3. Drinks of water with fresh lemon juice, Stevia to taste and lots of ice! One or two glasses everyday!

4. STOP ALL NSAIDS!

Four months later I was CKD Stage 3!!!!!

God bless!

[hinch32 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Hope you, yourself, continue to improve.

[Cruze44]

Sincere apologies! Like overnight said, I was just having a bad day! I deleted my terribly insensitive reply! Not to try to cover it up, just so others don't read it and become discouraged! I am truly sorry. I don't feel that way at all actually! Hell, my pop is 89 and he cuts my grass while i'm at work lol!!! I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him keep on truckin for another decade or so! You didn't mention how damaged your kidneys are? That would most certainly be the determining factor in how long you will keep on a truckin. Or at least give ya a rough estimate. If your eGFR is like around 20 you'll be just fine, if it's like 5 then you'll likely need some help to keep on keepin on! But now a day's they can keep ya up and about for a long long time! Even with a super low eGFR.

[hinch32 in reply to Cruze44]

Gosh, your apologies are most definitely accepted and I am deeply grateful and pleased to receive your second message. I hope in return that life for you will bring much joy and happiness—no more bad days!!!