CKD support

[Maggiedel]

Hi my husband had tonsil cancer and as a result of the chemo and several episodes of dehydration now has CKD. He has never actually seen a kidney specialist and was told he has CKD in a letter after they reviewed his blood tests. Do you think he should see a specialist for the implications of this and to see what he could be doing to help it?

[gilders]

Firstly, you need to find out how severe his CKD is.

Hopefully it is mild and will not deteriorate further. If the cause of the CKD was the episodes of dehydration, then his kidney function has a good chance of remaining stable.

Even in this best case scenario, at a minimum he needs frequent blood tests to make sure his kidney function is remaining stable. He also needs to know how to try and keep his kidneys healthy (hydration and blood pressure being key) because is kidney function is already reduced.

[Maggiedel in reply to gilders]

Thank you for that it helps reinforce what I was thinking. I am going to request an appt with the kidney specialist.

[Bassetmommer]

HI Maggiedel,

Any reference to kidney disease should be vetted out with a doctor. The good news is that there is much you can do to help maintain kidney function through diet, medication review and healthy living. The first step is to understand what CKD is and what stage your husband is. I have attached a link to a website full of information on managing CKD, diet and other information. Hope it helps.

davita.com/education/kidney...

[Maggiedel in reply to Bassetmommer]

Many thanks for your reply that link is very helpful

[Hidden]

Hi

It will depend on what stage he is at. Generaly there are stages 1,2,3a,3b,4 and 5.

I was informed first when I was at stage 3a I am now at stage 4 and declining and was refered to a specialist at stage 3b due to a kidney tumour. I am not a worryer so look upon stage 4 as a positive as its better than stage 5 lol.

My kidney function is at the same stage as my mums and she is 99 years old lol.

[Maggiedel in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Hope it doesn't progress too quickly and you must have some good family genes if your mum is 99!

[Sammi_n_Munk]

Hello Maggiedel! My advice would be, yes. If he has not been tested before this, I believe it does require further testing to know for certain if his kidneys have been damaged by the dehydration. Most physicians would conduct more tests to be sure.

Seeing a nephrologist would be a good thing for many reasons. He would need to know where he stands with his kidney function in order for his doctor(s) or renal dietician to be able to draw up a proper kidney-friendly diet plan and exercise regimen. If in fact, he does have CKD, the goal now would be to slow down the progression of it. It is a deteriorative condition, but with the proper knowledge, diet plan and exercise routine, it is very much manageable.

There are many changes, unfortunately, that are going to have to be made. It will take some adjusting to, but as I say, it is possible.

I certainly hope (and I will keep him in my prayers) that perhaps this may have been some sort of fluke. But, should that not be the case, please do remember that we are always here for you anytime, to offer some advice and support when you need us. All my best to you both! God bless. 🙏🙏😊👍

[Maggiedel]

Thank you so much for that good advice and your very kind thoughts. I am writing to the nephrologist today to request an appointment many thanks agaib

[medway-lady]

I had an induced AKI that went through time to CKD as have no disease whatsoever ever but 25% kidney death and the remainder don't work properly. I can't write down why as its with a solicitor but I've gone from 8% to 24% now in 18 months. I have no diet as no disease it's just time. It won't go higher now, but I've had very good care and am fairly fit. I get tired easily but can cope with that, it seems so unfair but I intend to survive Covid and make sure this never happens to anyone else as had the admission of culpable neglect now. I've found the Renal Hospital to be great I wish I'd never had to go to one but can't change it.