Hello,
I thought that I would share my story in the hope that it might help others that are going through the same thing. I was diagnosed with stage 3 about three months ago or so. I must admit that at first I really didn't grasp the whole concept of having kidney disease and I was a little confused about it at first. I knew that I had problems with kidney stones in the past but I had laser surgery to rid myself of them and thought that was that. Now I have ckd? Was it related? So many questions were going through my mind at a thousand miles an hour. What else could have caused this and why? As my doctor and I discussed it in detail it became clear what was happening and what caused it. ME, I caused it, I did it to myself. I am also a type 2 diabetic and have been for a number of years. As we were going through my lab results my doctor explained that my GFR was 52 and my creatinine was high as well as my a1c at 8.7. He asked me how my diet was? I knew that it was horrible and that I had at one time had my diabetes under control, and had my a1c down to 5.5 for a while, but then I got stupid and everything went to hell. I ate garbage and gained lots of weight with no reguard for my health and now payment was due.
After that talk with my doctor it felt like I had been punched in the stomach. I hurt all over and my head was spinning. What did I do to myself? I needed to fix it! I didn't know how, but I knew that I was to young to die from some self inflicted disease. So as soon as I got home I went online and spent hours researching ckd and solutions if any. Here's what happened.
A little over 3 months ago I was 225 lbs, had an a1c of 8.7 and my GFR was 52 and I am 67 years old. Today April 15th I weigh 185lbs, my a1c is 6.5, and my GFR is 74 with my creatinine normal. My doctor is simply amazed by my accomplishments but I will tell you this it wasn't easy, but it can be done. It's difficult to balance a diabetic and renal diet but I found a lot of reliable sources online and went from there. I cut out all sugar, very limited sodium, phosphorus and potassium. I started eating fish, chicken, vegies and fruit only. No red meat or pork at all. I started walking a couple of miles when I could and I prayed, and I prayed. And I'm still not done, I want to see how far I can beat this thing down, so I will keep on doing what works for me. I know that it's not going to work for everyone, but it will work for some. My next exam is in 2 months and I expect to further improvement in my labs. Most of us do it to ourselves thinking we're invincible and then kaboom, your not. So before you start thinking your world is going to collapse pull it together and start researching. Make a plan and a list of what you can and cannot eat and stick to it. Talk to your doctor a lot. I'm very blessed to have a doctor whom I can text my questions to when need be. When you do good reward yourself. Once a month I allow myself to have whatever I want which is Mexican food at my favorite restaurant, then the next day it's back to business as usual.
I admit that I freaked out when I was told that I had ckd! But I soon realized that it's not a death sentence by anymeans. Like I said it's only been a few months since I have started and I have a long road ahead, but I know with faith in God and my will to live that I can do it. Also I'm very blessed to be married to beautiful Filipino woman who is a great cook and a wonderful supportive wife that's with me. May God bless you all and good luck on your journey.
Had kidney transplant for 17 years I'm concern on recently on stage 3 ckd 
Recently diagnosed CKD Stage 3, Accutane link
Stage 5 CKD
