New to the group

[Jodalena]

Hi. I'm a 61-year-old woman in San Francisco with Stage 4 CKD. I'd been followed for renal insufficiency due to medication for about 15 years, but the Stage 4 diagnosis 3 months ago came as a real shock. I've been religiously sticking to a low-protein/low-phosphate (and, of course, low sodium) diet trying to stabilize my GFR and am starting the process of reaching out looking for a live donor. Would love to hear from others with similar diets and goals.

[Patient-Empowerment NKF Peer Mentor NKF Ambassador]

Hi Jody!

Looks like you're engaged on this site now. Welcome!

[Jodalena in reply to Patient-Empowerment]

Yes, good to be connected.

[LarryGee]

Jodalena

I too am shock with Stage 3b readings out of the blue from my blood test 4 weeks ago,,,I am also from San francisco, currently ,waiting for for my kidney doctor's appointment, am totally stun and stressed out,,,how does one cope with this,,,,,I'm 63 currently still working but single no kids, the thought of going through alone is terrifying, no support network from family nor friends,,

I had 3 blood test let levels were 170+ ,,40gfr,,,,2nd test in 10 days190+,,,36gfr,,,3rd test 7days ago primary care doctor hasn't got back to me, guess she's going to wait till my appointment with my kidney doctor in 2 weeks,, Lots of symptoms showed up the last 2 weeks,,,, associated with kidney failure

Do u know of any chronic kidney disease groups where people get together and discuss their experience and exchange information.... I thought I'd ask since we're both in San Francisco. Lots of forms online, but I got lots of free time when I'm not working and I work nights, will probably retire soon after seeing my kidney doctor to see where I stand and with all this free time I will just be bored and depressed ,so if u know of one pls.let me know. Thanks,,,I'm new here,,,

[Jodalena in reply to LarryGee]

I'm sorry to hear about your situation, Larry. I've known for about 15 years that my kidneys were damaged by a medication, but had not realized that they would continue to deteriorate, so that's why it was a shock to me. Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any actual support groups here in the city or anywhere else that I know about. Mostly there just seem to be these online forums, which I find limiting. You might want to get in touch with the Northern California branch of the national kidney foundation. I wish you the best of luck with your next labs and with transitioning to retirement. It's a lot to go through all at the same time.

[LarryGee in reply to Jodalena]

Thank u for ur reply,,,I've call them ,they also said no support group in the bay area,, yes, it's going to be tough,,I'm going to be bored and depressed, also be eating bland food for the rest of my life,,,,got retirement money saved and from pension,just about to retire and this happens,,,, devastating,and psychologically draining. Thanx for ur input

[Jodalena in reply to LarryGee]

I just retired last year as well, but I'm quite busy already, mostly with a lot of volunteer work. It's so hard knowing that our time with relatively good health is so limited. But you don't have to only eat bland food. I've found some pretty good options in some kidney cookbooks.

[Hidden]

Here's an idea. Start a support group. You've got two people so far and you only need one more to have a group. Okay, a small one but it's a start. Good Luck.