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.
Written by
planetechy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Welcome to our community and thank you for sharing your story. Your positivity is great and hopefully, it will encourage many other here who just beginning the CKD journey.
Do keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on.
Ok folks, please pop by and welcome this new member.
Your story is amazing ive bin at stage 3 for about 3 years now my egfr goes up to 51 then my last one last week was at 44 it really worries me when it goes down but all doctors keep telling me is its stabel should i be worried? I feel as tho im letting it take over my life just recenly i worry abiut it constant im only 32 i dont wanna die young i have a son. i dont get told i need be on a special diet my doctor just says no salt. i go to the gym 5 times a week lifting weights and eat lots of veg brown rice porraige chicken and fish i dont eat red meat i feel im been healthy but i also feel doctors are not botherd n will just let my egfr decline then act do you have any advice
Yes, first off find another doctor. Its crucial to have a doctor that will understand your disease and work closely with you. Second, make sure that your blood sugar is under control and if it's not deal with it ASAP. Next is your diet, Google vegetables and fruits that are good for your kidneys. Here's the tricky part not all fruit is good for your blood sugar so you have to cross reference them and see which ones are not going to raise your blood sugar to much. The same goes for the vegetables but most of the ones that are good for your kidneys are ok for your blood sugar too. I don't know what your relationship with God is but for me it's what gets me through the day. Oh yeah, limit your brown rice, even though they say its better than white rice I still think that it's best not to eat it. Sugar is a no no, it's not good for your kidneys or blood sugar. Cut way back on your sodium, phosphorus, potassium, read the labels on what your eating you will be surprised. Sometimes potassium is abbreviated pot and phosphorus is phos and such. You can find out all this and more online through the national kidney foundation and more sites. Devita is another great one. Don't lose hope, it's what gives us strength. If first you don't succeed, try, try again. I hope that I have given you some useful information and encouragement. You can live a long and productive life with this disease when you get it under control. You may never reverse it but you can slow it way down so get to it now! I started the moment I left the doctor's office. I will pray for your success and comfort as well. Let me know if I can help you out any further.
Oops I forgot. No red meat or pork. Fish and chicken only and limit your carbs and proteins. Again you can find all the information that you need online and your doctor. They will tell you what puts a strain on your kidneys. They are not working well now so you want to limit the amount of work they have to do but feed them things that help make them stronger too. God bless you.
thank you so much i think your right i need to get another doctor because like i say all i get from them is my kidneys are stable and in my range i get so worried about it im making myself ill i am pleased to hear chicken and fish is allowed as thats the only meat i eat and ocassionally turkey are oats ok as i have 40g a morning with bluberrys?
as far as i no my blood suger is fine as i dont eat lots of suger ect what is a typical day food for you x
Such a marvellous story. Proper diet is the key and determination like yours. I wish you well and know joining this forum is a great help where we can offload our worries outside family. ...Fellow CKD person who is now stable. Sheila
I am adding my best wishes to that of my colleague. You are a true inspiration to others on this forum and so very well done in such a short time you have turned your health around. Keep up the good work and also please keep posting on here as we would like to follow your story.
If you or others are having a difficult and bad time just re-read your inspirational post again to spur you and others onwards.
What a welcome and inspirational post - well done to you sir! - it’s posts like yours what gives this community a boost! I am in stage 3a ( 51 efgr) and like you I am doing my best to get much better results next time my labs are due.
( I am struggling with chocolate at the moment! ) but luckily I love my veggies - I have reduced my intake of meat ( only fish or sometimes chicken ) to once a week - reduced my alcohol over intake to maybe once a fortnight- and just bought the book Stopping kidney Disease by Lee Hull ..... fingers crossed I can post a similar post to yours in a few months time ! 😊
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Bisphosphonates with Stage 3 ckd
Diagnosed IgA nephropathy stage 3 ckd 
Stage 3 ckd and gout problems 
Is it possible to be at Stage 2 CKD with no protein in urine? 
CKD Stage 3, but normal diet is enough (?)
