Anxiety over Recent Tests. Please Help

Hi all I'm a 32yr old Male recently discovering I have anxiety.

Back in October 2018 I ended up in the ER with a panic attack. I didn't know it at the time because I thought I was having a heart attack. Blood Pressure skyrocketed and I was given a series of blood tests. The doctor said everything came back fine I just seem to be a little dehydrated and I was released as having a Panic Attack.

I started going to the doctor regularly to figure out the cause of the panic attack and make sure my blood pressure was just due to emotional stress. I stayed in the 140/90 range during the early stages as I learned to get my stress under control and flash forward to about 1 year later I've been doing really well and got it down toward normal ranges and had no anxiety issues for about a year as well.

I went to see my primary care to just follow up on how my blood pressure was doing and everything came up fine and I was told with how good I was doing keeping it under control we were going to go back to annual appointments. A huge relief for me as it was a sign I was getting back to normal and putting all this behind me. My doctor said my kidney function was slightly off and told me to do a blood test on the way out. Everything was fine except for creatinine was at 1.4 putting my gfr with ckd-epi at 64 and 57 with mdrd formula. One of those is technically ok and the other is stage 3. My doctor wasnt really concerned but ordered a 24hr urine test to rule out any issues as I was at 1.0 during my visit in 2012.

I was extremely.stressed out waiting for results so I looked into my old labs for comfort that everything has been normal and would stay normal. I found out that during my ER visit I was 1.3 creatinine and my urine protein was just barely in range of being negative (this was the ER doctor who just said I was dehydrated and released me.) My initial visit with primary care 6 months later I was at 1.4 and just barely negative for protein again. The results were exactly the same 6 months later during my recent test before the 24urine test. I started changing my diet and drinking more water and exercising immediately.

I called my doctor to try and figure out what I could do before I fell into CKD range. She told me she wasnt really worried about my results and my 24hr urine test came back just fine with no issues but she is going to get me a renal scan and appointment with Nephrologist but not to worry because she is just being thorough and my numbers personally didnt really worry her.

I got my urine results back and everything was normal but I noted that my protein in 24hrs was 138 and below 150 is normal so it was better than all my previous tests being just barely in but still not where I think I should be.

My doctor consulted with the nephrologist and I got a call from their office saying they dont really want to see me for a few months as I'm not really high risk with my current lab work and want to see how things look if I manage to keep my BP stable with how I was controlling it lately.

It's been 2 weeks since that conversation and I'm really struggling with being left in the dark with what could be a long wait. Still have another 2 weeks before the kidney scan and the nephrologist is still going to be a long ways out.

Depending on the formula the doctors use I'm either just in range of ckd 3 or right above it and my early protein tests were borderline that I'm dangerously close to being high risk but thankfully my 24hr test showed improvement after diet change.

I guess what am asking is if I keep at it can I keep lowering protein to get it further away from +1 range or is it an inevitable thing that we cant control? And can my 1.4 creatinine be brought down back to an acceptable range? I've made a ton of lifestyle changes as I was so ready to be back to normal after this last doctors visit but now this happened and my emotional rollercoaster is starting all over again.

Worse still I just had a baby last month and my test results came in just a few days after she was born. When I got them in the mail I threw up and had multiple panic attacks in the last week. I haven't had one in over a year and thought I was getting past this but all my panic attacks started after the birth of my first daughter (I have 3) and the fear of them growing up without dad. I broke down and cried in the bedroom getting ready for work the other day and hid it from my wife and kids who were getting ready in the next room. Just having a really tough time holding it together right now. I'm going to take charge of my health and do what I can on my end but it's kind of feeling like I have no control here. My emotional stress isnt helping and even though I have been back at 120/80 or lower BP for the last 2 months its starting to raise again back to where I was during peak anxiety. I'm overwhelmed and not sure what to do right now.

[Julesboz]

Hi there, firstly I’m sorry you’re so anxious. I have very mild CKD and my daughter has severe anxiety disorder so I can relate. The first thing to say is (and I know this will be hard for you!) really don’t panic! Your GFR isn’t bad at all. The reason the hospital doesn’t want to see you is because when you are borderline (ie GFR or around 60) and your GFR isn’t reducing (yours has fluctuated and got better) doctors consider this normal. I’m in the UK and my GFR has fluctuated between 60 and 49 over the past 10 years and some doctors I’ve spoken to tell me I’m normal, some say I have mild CKD. You are very very low risk and it’s likely that dehydration and spikes in your blood pressure due to stress have caused the fluctuating results, rather than you actually having CKD. You can improve your kidney function by trying to reduce your blood pressure, drinking plenty of water (not too much though) and reducing salt, processed foods, fizzy drinks, over the counter NSAIDs. Don’t drink too much alcohol, if you smoke try and give up and do mild exercise. But you don’t need to go over the top and give up certain types of food, that’s only relevant when people have later stage CKD and their blood results indicate they should. Just because you have mildly reduced GFR it doesn’t follow that you definitely have CKD.

For you it sounds like the main thing you need to address is your anxiety. I know the impact it has on your life and health. Have you tried talking therapies or CBT? My daughter is currently doing this after suffering 30 years of crippling anxiety and it’s showing promising results. Can you get access to this where you are? Reducing your anxiety, and therefore your blood pressure, is likely to have a positive impact on the rest of your body and your kidneys.

[Hidden in reply to Julesboz]

Thanks for the reply. I did treatment for anxiety last year and things have gone really well since then. The psychiatrist even bumped out my visits from every month to every 6 and said next visit if I'm still doing well we can push a year. I've been feeling really good lately and was happy to get past this part of my life but after I saw those results it was like. Here we go again.

[Julesboz in reply to Hidden]

Perhaps it might be a good idea to see if you can have another apt with the psychiatrist to help with this additional anxiety, I’m sure it would benefit your physical health and your medical doctors would, I’m sure, tell you you have nothing to worry about regarding your kidneys, you just need to be able to find help to be able to convince yourself of that!

[Hidden in reply to Julesboz]

Thanks for the help. This anxiety thing is a nightmare. As soon as I think I've gotten myself past it and I'm good for a while something is always trying to pull me back, usually starts with a doctors visit and now I've started dreading going. I did notice my urine creatine was 1500 and in normal range. I dont knowing that has any relevance to what my blood was. I'm sure being stressed out and panicking effected my diet and health leading up to my blood tests. Hopefully pulling myself together and remaining calm and staying on routine the week leading up to this appointments would do me some good.

[Bassetmommer]

HI Cora,

You can perseverate yourself right into bad health. It is something that you may not be able to control on your own. But for now, when it all seems so overwhelming, you need to train your mind to go to a better place. Or you will spiral down. Try this exercise.... when you feel like you are starting to have one of your attacks, find a piece of paper and pen and write down at least ten things that makes your life wonderful. Take the time to write and re-read it. Really focus on this. Hold on to the paper. Carry it with you. When you feel the panic, take it out and add to it or re-read it. Keep adding to it. Read it out loud to your self. Close you eyes and see how the words make you feel.

The human mind is actually wired to go negative. It is what kept us alive. In cave-man days, instead of going up to the cute tiger cat and petting it, we have a gland in our brain that fires and that says danger. It is call the amygdala and it is in everyone. But it can over-fire and cause panic attacks. It is what causes PTSD. Many people have issues with it, so you are not alone. What you need to do is teach the brain to calm down the limbic system that also fires up your blood pressure. It is often call the Flight, Fright or Freeze reaction. There is a whole science on this and I could go on and on about it.

Try the exercise I have mentioned. If it doesn't help, see if you can find a consultant to help you with your attacks. They are serious and so do not let anyone dismiss them. But there are many ways to take control and retrain the brain.

I am Certified Trauma Professional so I do know what I am speaking about. But here is a short article to help explain this.

healthline.com/health/stres...

[Hidden in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank you for the assistance. Going to the VA they are pretty good about sending everyone they can to therapy. I keep telling myself I can get past this as I never let stress get to me before. Something triggered in me when my daughters were born that I became terrified of not being there for them and cant shake it. I know I'm being irrational and I know that even if something is wrong with me my medical team will help as best as possible and likely provide me a long healthy life as they have many people on this forum. This all started so suddenly and I find myself asking myself why cant I go back to the frame of mind I was in 2 years ago and it's hard for me to understand how a switch just seemingly flipped overnight.

Maybe my anxiety was a good thing and got me to start taking my health seriously before it was too late and I found out about all this 20years from now when treatment is too late. I try to tell myself that my anxiety possibly saved my life but now it's time for it to go.

[Hidden]

At stage 3 it is not a death sentence, far from it, although that is the feeling we get at the time. Panic and anxiety are all part of it until the penny drops. Eventually the realisation sets in and with some lifestyle changes life continues. Think of it as a timely warning.

Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I'm doin better today. Being grateful that I know where I stand now so I can start preventing damage instead of finding out years from now that I waited too long. At 64 the doctors dont seem worried and the nephrologist office doesnt seem to think I need to be seen right away but it's my health and I'm not going to wait until they worry about it to do something about it.

My doctor said all her patients but me are in their 60s and 70s and none of my friends, coworkers, or wife my age have ever been to the doctor. The 700lb guy in the cubicle next to me who is 35 likes to joke and ask how I have more health problems than him but hes never been to doctor. I get the impression that my doctors arent experienced with people my age so interpret my numbers comparable to people in their 60s. So I'm going to take charge of my own care.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I took to the CKD diet and lifestyle with good effect. I also manage my own health now and do not leave it to my Dr. At one point I was wired to a heart monitor and remember the alarm continually going off at each end of the scale, in quick succession. The power of the brain and anxiety. As we age the gfr drops naturally. My goal is to try to get back to my age group norm, it may not happen, but that is my goal.

Cheers

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Same here. Thank you. I believe we can be successful

[Sammi_n_Munk]

Hi Cora15. Wow! It sounds like you have a ton on your plate! I’m not shocked at all that you would be suffering with anxiety. One child can do that, let alone three, and with a newborn (Congratulations, by the way!), I think even Hercules would be sobbing! Lol!

First off though, remember, you have nothing to be ashamed of. It’s perfectly normal to feel some strain with so many dependants on you. There’s nothing wrong with that. You’re human, my friend. That’s all. It sounds as though you’re doing everything in your power to maintain your levels, and that’s an awesome thing. As long as you continue doing that, you’ll do well.

The best way to maintain control over this is to lower your protein intake (most people here follow a plant-based meal plan), cardio exercise daily (not too much weight-lifting though, if at all, as that in itself, can raise blood creatinine levels), and drink plenty of water. Ask your doctor how much water in a day is the proper amount for you. Also, do your best to keep your distance from NSAID pain relievers. Even over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as Advil, Motrin or Aleve. These tend to be rough on the kidneys.

Check with your doctor on this one but, I know that B vitamins (B6, B12, etc.) have been known to be helpful with anxiety issues, as well as things like chamomile tea and such, if you’re searching for a more natural remedy for that. I hope that this can help you. I’ve been down the panic attack trail myself many times before. I think what it comes down to, for most people, is life in general. It gets fast and demanding for most of us, and it can be overwhelming a lot of the time.

The best thing you can do for yourself here, is try to relax and remain calm and don’t allow it to defeat you. Anxiety should have no authority in your life. Remember that, if nothing else.

Once again, congratulations on the birth of your child. You sound like a good person, and a caring, responsible father. There should be more people like you in the world. Don’t allow anxiety to consume you. That wouldn’t be fair to your children or your wife. They love you. Remember, it’s a mind over matter deal. You can beat this!

Please do keep us posted on your progress. I wish you and your family all the best. Take good care of yourself, dear. God bless. 😊👍

[Sammi_n_Munk in reply to Sammi_n_Munk]

Also, Cora15, I forgot to mention, with regard to maintaining healthy kidney function, search DaVita.com for kidney-friendly foods and beverages. It’s also a good idea to lower your intake of foods high in potassium, sodium and phosphorus.

Once again, all my best! 😊👍

[Hidden]

Thank you for the kind words. Since receiving my blood test a month ago I spoke to my doctor and asked what I could do about the 1.4 creatinine she said I have nothing to worry about and am completely fine. Maybe I'm overreacting but I have a hard time accepting that. At age 32 that's not acceptable to me and when I mentioned what diets she recommends she said not to get myself worked up about it.

Since I got those tests back 3 weeks ago I haven't had any soda. I've drink about 4 bottles of water a day and an occasional tea. I've also had a mini beer with dinner occasionally. I've had a lot of conflicting information about the positive or negative effects of beer. I can drink just 1 or 1 mini one and stop myself no problem. I haven't had animal protein since then either except 1 time. My mom knew I was down so she called me and asked me to meet her at Red Robin. I got a burger and had several bites and after kicking that food for 2 weeks it tasted kind of gross to me.

I researched the plant based diet last night and I'm going to give it a go. My wife's a little mad that I wont eat almost anything in our fridge and my family thinks I'm overreacting to a .2 above normal creatinine blood test but I feel much better and my anxiety has gone away since I started feeling like I was doing something about it instead of waiting 4 months for the doctor to tell me nevermind I should have start dieting sooner. I've been power walking through the neighborhood for a half hour before the family wakes up and after they go to bed. I feel much better. Maybe none of this will help but it cant hurt. Worst case scenario I lose some weight and improve my BP.

Thank you again for taking the time.

[Mathiasnoz]

When you see your Nephrologist, make sure they check your BUN/Creatinine ratio and Cystatin C. Creatinine based eGFR is horribly unreliable for determining kidney function.

[Hidden]

My mom was born with 1 kidney and sees a Nephrologist on the regular. Hers is at 29. I sent her my test results as I didnt fully understand them and she said mine is at 12. So far nobody seems to be worried and thinks its dehydration and telling me to watch my BP closely. I only recently discovered I had high BP but have been getting it lower with each visit. I was taken off high BP medication last visit.

It scared me when my doctor ordered all these tests but she says she's most likely over exaggerating but since my healthcare is incredibly cheap if I go to the VA hospital they are quick to schedule all kinds of tests. With the VA getting a lot of flak for poor treatment or patients in recent years they haven't been leaving any stoned unturned really which I appreciate.