Fluid retension

[hinch32]

Since recently diagnosed with CKD I believe that I am carrying extra fluid (stomach has quickly become a lot bigger). Is this possible please?

[Cruze44]

Could be your just bloated. How bad is your kidney function? Unless your kidney disease is advanced it's extremely unlikely to cause abdominal edema. Edema seen in ckd is usually in the legs and sometimes around the eyes. If the condition gets bad enough it can cause heart failure and this could cause abdominal swelling. Liver problems can also cause this. You may very well just be hypersensitive with every little change now. I know I was. When reading about kidney disease I realized I had just about EVERY symptoms lol. So I asked my doc the following questions and here was his reply!

"my lower legs swell up a little when I'm on my feet a lot" His reply..."everyone has this"

"my eyelids seem puffy sometimes" His reply..."everyone has this"

"my pee is bubbly" His reply..."everyone has this"

"sometimes my sides hurt" His reply...."everyone has this"

And eventually after further testing I was told that I do not have kidney disease after all. So I guess he was right. I'd say your fine. But if it gets worse or your real worries then you should call your doc.

[hinch32 in reply to Cruze44]

Thank you Cruze44 for your comments. I must admit that my legs have swollen considerably but ankles are fine. Will await a few weeks to hopefully allow tummy swelling to subside from 38/40 to my usual 32/34.

[Kacy22 in reply to Cruze44]

You should also consider the side effects of any medication you may be taking.

[hinch32 in reply to Kacy22]

Thank you Kacy22.

[lowraind in reply to Cruze44]

I would contact my doctor. This is the only way you will know. If you wait, it could get worse.

[Celtic]

hinch, although you haven't elaborated on your stage of CKD/eGFR, weight gain, etc, your fluid retention around your stomach is unlikely to be from the CKD unless whatever has caused/is causing your CKD is related to any problems with your heart. Some medications, including those for high blood pressure, can lead to fluid retention. You should be drinking plenty of water and avoiding salt. Also avoid food/drink that can aggravate fluid retention and seek out foods that are known to act as a diuretic - asparagus, garlic, fennel, melon, celery to name just a few. The best person to advise you is your GP to rule out any specific problems going on. In the absence of a known cause for your stomach swelling, perhaps the GP might advise diuretic medication. Good luck!

[hinch32 in reply to Celtic]

Thank you Celtic—my heart is very poorly and there are lots of tablets, because of its condition, taken each day. I am also being seen and checked at least twice a year. Obviously, as you suggest, the CKD condition could be affecting my other present illnesses. Let me give it a fair trial before a NHS appointment is made. Can I say that I am very grateful to/for the NHS for their knowledge and expertise upon getting me to my present age.

[Celtic in reply to hinch32]

hunch, I’m so sorry to hear you have heart problems as well as the CKD but it isn't unusual for one to be linked with the other. However, do have your swelling checked by your GP ASAP so that the NHS can continue to keep you well.

[titchystrider]

I have recently become AKD stage 4. I to suffer with odema in legs and around eyes. Recently became ankles hands and very bottom of tummy. My GP thinks the new odema is more likely heart related and arranging tests.

[hinch32 in reply to titchystrider]

Thank you so much for this. Please report the outcome of your tests. I hope very much all will be ok.

[crisgi]

Hi Hinch I've got ACPKD( adult cronic policistic kidney disease) . Until 8 years ago i had the disease but my abdominal area was ok.65kg . On the long way of my 24 years my abdominal area has been growing like my of other patients with the same problem. Nowaday , like many , i look like a 8 month pregnant woman and there is not a day when people dont ask me about it. In my case my kidneys are growing. They go from under my ribs until my groin. . So its a normal thing in some pkd patients. I dont have puff eyes or legs swollen .in my case is just abdomen.

[hinch32 in reply to crisgi]

Thanks for that Crisgi