New to low GFR

[Dangermom13]

I took Advil for years with chronic pain from a traumatic auto accident. After surgeries, my specialists even told me I could take 800mg at a time after 48 hours had passed. Finally, a somewhat unscrupulous neurologist told me to stop taking any NSAID. However, he didn't refer me to a nephrologist nor advise me about diet. That was over 2 years ago. Finally, this year, I have a good team of doctors, but too late. My nephrologist tested my GFR. it's below 45%. My nephrons are damaged and there is scarring. I'm finally on a kidney diet and using some capsules of concentrated food that I should have. So, apparently I'm stage 3b. I can't believe the long lasting damage that car accident left me. Any other suggestions for me to avoid dialysis as long as possible would be appreciated.

[landini2018]

Hello i am a 38 year old male my last blood test show my GFR 82 and my creatinine 90 is this ok

[orangecity41]

I too was diagnosed at 3b, 3 years ago. I was put on a renal diet and prescribed exercise (in my case Silver Sneakers), and so far the progression has slowed. You have come to a good forum for support and information, that will help you on your CKD journey.

[overnighthearingloss]

Eat whole foods, not processed foods. Limit sugar in the diet. That includes sugar substitutes which are probably even worse. Watch your salt intake. Dont drink sodas but drink plenty of water to flush the kidneys regularly.

You can do ok at stage 3b, but take it as a warning to look after yourself

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi Dangermom13,

You may find this videos helpful and it is one from a series of patient information video about CKD from the University of San Diego, California. youtu.be/4ivERHvLVcc(Not working as expected?)

You will see that Stage 3 is the most common stage and dialysis would not be considered at this stage. The Nephrologist says that even at Stage 5 dialysis is not an automatic option and many patients can continue fine for a few years before jointly deciding to go on dialysis.

Also check out Kidney Research UK Stages of CKD and also follow links to EdRen: kidneyresearchuk.org/health...

edren.org/pages/edreninfo/c...

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle e.g. reducing dietary salt intake, exercise, as well taking medication, controlling blood pressure are important things to consider amongst others, are factors you can control. Check out the information in the above links.

Hope this helps,

MAS Nurse and Moderator

[lowraind]

Welcome,

I took Celebrex for many years. Once I was diagnosed a year ago, I stopped and changed my diet, limiting sodium, potassium, phosphorous and protein. I also drink more water and exercise moderately. In a year, my gfr has increased 20 points. I am 77, so I do believe that you can make improvements that could keep you off dialysis for the rest of your life.

lowraind

[rebeccalloyd in reply to lowraind]

So true Lowraind.

[RickHow]

something you must realize is that just because you are at stage 3, it is not necessary to start thinking of a terrible future. Remember stage 3 is called MODERATE kidney disease. It is not a good thing of course. But it is the not unusual either. The scarring is some damage to the kidney from long term harm to the kidney. It does not mean that now as you are aware of what was hurting your kidney, that there will be further scarring. My gp and my kidney doctor tell me that you can find even "healthy" people who as they progress through life, may have some scarring on their kidney. They just never get an ultrasound to realize it exists. They also tell me NOT to concentrate too much on eGFR. This is an estimation and a highly flawed way to measure kidney function. Pay attention to your creatinine levels, if there is protein in the urine, and your Bun/Creatinine ratio. These are the true measures of kidney function. And keep in mind that everyones egfr declines as their life progresses. Not dramatically, but slowly. And it can range from test to test. So just pay attention to your average over time. People also have a belief that some strict and restricted diet is the only way to live their life. YES you can help your kidney remain strong with a good diet. But that does not mean that you really have to have a diet that is far from normal. All my doctors advise me to just stay within the normally recommended amounts that every person should anyway. The daily amount of protein, sugar, salt, etc. You do NOT have to eliminate these from your diet. Just keep them at or below the daily amounts. Once you start to pay attention to these limits you will be surprised how much over the daily recommendations almost every person is at. I eat mostly chicken and pork (seldom beef) but I measure the protein limits. I avoid soda, limit caffine to 2 cups a day, never add salt (most foods have enough salt within them), avoid canned items (too much salt). I drink 60 to 80 ounces of water a day. With this diet I have lost 30 pounds. I am full all the time. I enjoy my treats (ice cream, an occasional sweet) but again within limits. And as my doctors tell me, live life as normal. To go out to dinner with friends, to go over the limits on occasion, to enjoy holidays a little too much (food), is not going to ruin you. Just don't make it common occurrence. All will be fine. You will see it is not as bad as you currently are thinking.

[Fluuux]

Probably youve already heard of it but in case not, its supposed to maybe be helpful to consume baking soda (Im just beginning to try it now so dont have any personal experience and also its not a medical advice but somethings Ive come across when Ive googled)