Still consumed with anxiety

[Barnhouse]

I am so grateful for all of the responses that I have received on this website people have been so gracious as I mentioned before I'm really really struggling another question is it possible to actually stop CKD and its tracks or can it only be slowed down until the inevitable end thank you so much again for your gracious responses

[RickHow]

You seem to believe that CKD is some sort of death sentence. That everyone with CKD will ultimately reach, as you say, the inevitable, from the disease. There are all kinds of statistics on CKD. And so much depends on why you have been labelled with CKD. But in general many have posted that between 70 to 80 percent of those with CKD stage 3 do NOT reach death because of the "disease". Also you are under the impression that it is always a progressive disease. Again this all depends on why you are labelled "CKD". Take my example. I was fine. My numbers were all great. I had a kidney removed due to cancer. I woke up from the operation and immediately my "numbers" made me CKD stage 3b. Now does this mean my remaining kidney is diseased?? Not necessarily. It may just mean that one kidney, in the body of a 69 year old man, can not do the work of what was done by two. Some have their blood test results outside the "normal" range because of medications, other conditions (high blood pressure), etc., etc. Does this mean their kidney is diseased and progressing to an early death? No. So the message it, it all depends on why you are called CKD. Now let's assume it really IS diseased. Of course you need to take care of it by a proper diet, moderate exercise, hydrations, etc., etc. But in reality even people without CKD should be doing that also. Can you change your "numbers" from being labelled CKD and actually move up in stage (say from 3 to 2), it happens, but not common. But by the same token do not assume that stage 3 will all move to dialysis and the inevitable. Of course this is on everyones mind. It never goes away. But as my doctors tell me "only God Knows". When I worry at such a level my primary care doctor always tell me this. "lets assume you are right and this will one day cause your death. do you want to spend the years that remain, worrying about the inevitable and waste not living the joys of life during those years OR just take care of yourself the best you can and live a full life". After all, each day of life, without CKD, can end tomorrow, but we don't live being obsessed by that thought. Best to you.

[Barnhouse in reply to RickHow]

Thank you RickHow. The struggle at this point is enormous but you are right worry does nothing I still keep searching for some affirmation that perhaps the recent staging system is inaccurate. Statistics would seem to bear this out. Also I read yesterday that only 3 percent of ckd patients reach end stage failure which I think for me would be worse than death

[RickHow in reply to Barnhouse]

See. Your own searches found that CKD is not necessarily going to lead to the inevitable. You feel that end stage renal would be worse than death. I must disagree. Death is death no matter the cause. We will all reach that point. But renal disease as the cause is not something you can categorize as being better or worse than say cancer, heart failure, etc. etc. We all dream and hope when our day comes we will just go to bed one night, feeling well, and simply not wake up. But in life it seldom works that say. In fact, most deaths caused by kidney disease, are cardiac events. You feel as you do, and it seems to be consuming you. You should not put yourself through this. Seek some professional advice. They will help you through your worries. It's no shame to feel as you do. But don't miss out on life, by worrying excessively about the end of it. Talk to a doctor, or if religious a member of the clergy, or a dear friend or family member. Stop stop stop searching. There are too many websites that will give you bad new, and an equal amount that will give you good. Believe the professionals.

[renegade70 in reply to Barnhouse]

most ckd patients die of comorbidities cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, heart attacks, strokes etc. before they ever reach end stage ckd. lets be real.

[curleytop1]

Hello again Barnhouse,

You will see that I have just replied to your earlier post, before seeing this one, and I just want to reassure you that my advice about allaying anxiety is just what works for me, it is not the only way because there is no RIGHT or WRONG way of acting on any information one receives.

I think RickHow has offered you very good advice, which has helped me put things into perspective as well - this time of the year always makes me reflect on life and its ups and downs, and its good to know that other people one has never met can offer such good support. Best wishes - Curleytop1.