I’m another “newbie”

[vintagecurl]

Hi. I am new here. Age 72 and just diagnosed with CKD. GFR is currently 38. Will have my first meeting with my nephrologist on July 5th. I’m trying to get my diet better planned to help my kidneys and have done a good bit of researching, but am still unclear about bread. I understand that brown rice bread is too high in phosphorus. And I read that white bread is better for kidneys than wheat. Do any of you recommend a particular brand I can purchase for delivery through Amazon? I don’t eat bread often but thought it might help add diversity to my diet now, since I’m cutting out so many other things. Thanks much. ~Kate1v

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome to the community. If you are in the USA use the davita.com website to register for a free, 90-minute Kidney Smart class in your area. The class is taught by a kidney professional who will provide you with a lot of information, resources and answer any questions. This class also help you understand the various stages of CKD and the modalities available to you if you should eventually need dialysis. If you can get to a class before your nephrologist appointment you should have some questions answered and be more familiar with the issues brought up. Also, ask for a referral to meet with a Renal Dietitian and bring with you all of your labs and you can develop a kidney-friendly meal plan. The DaVita website will also provide you with many other recipes. If you have diabetes or hypertension be sure to discuss those issues with the doctor and the dietitian.

Bring a list of all prescriptions and over the counter things you take. Some changes may need to be made to your meds, including dosages.

If you ever get offered a new script, don't initially have them call it into your pharmacy. Take the script and check the medication out on drugs.com and if you see any possible issues with CKD then bring it up to the doctor before you have the script filled.

This is a lifestyle change so all of what you do may have to be restructured to allow you to have a full life while you slow the progression of CKD.

You'll meet a lot of great folks here to help you along the way and in no time you'll be able to share what you have learned with them.

[vintagecurl in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Welcome to the forum. I am age 78 and was diagnosed 3 years ago with CKD stage 3b. It was a shock. My Doctor put me on a renal diet that was applicable for me. I started out restricted to sodium and phosphorus and later blood work showed I needed to be potassium restricted also. The diet and prescribed exercise regimen has helped slow down the progression. I attended a Davita 101 class and was very helpful. Your Nephrologist will be able to get you on appropriate diet. Everyone' dietary requirements may be a little different, but am able to eat white bread and occasionally whole wheat. I tend to prefer bread from a bakery. Keep us posted on your CKD journey.

[vintagecurl in reply to orangecity41]

Thank you very much. That sounds hopeful for me. What is your GFR level now? (The bread I had ordered was quite expensive gluten free made from brown rice, but labeled “white bread.” Reviews were excellent insofar as taste, but I’m just not sure about the phosphorus levels. It’s due to arrive shortly.)

[MICHIGANDAVID]

Welcome to the group...

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

I am still in stage 3. My Doctor uses an average of all eGFR, as it can vary

[MICHIGANDAVID in reply to orangecity41]

GFR can be effected by a few things. And can very month to month...

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to MICHIGANDAVID]

I found this to be true also. Maybe someday will have a better test.

[lowraind]

Welcome! I am going to be 78 in August and was diagnosed in Nov. of 2017. Have been following your same journey. Two books that have been helpful to me, both written by Mathea Ford: Living with Chronic Kidney Disease--Pre-Dialysis and Create Your Own Kidney Diet Plan--Build a Meal Plan for Stage 3-4 Renal Disease. She is a Renal Dietitian and by following her plan as well as much of the advice offered on this forum, I have been able to improve efgr from 34 to 54.

Good Luck,

lowraind

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to lowraind]

i have read these books also and have been helpful.

[Hidden]

Hey, Vintagecurl. Unless this is an old yearbook photo, you must be doing something right! In other words, you look much younger than 72. Mr. Kidney offers a lot of accurate information. I have taken DaVita's "Kidney Smart" seminar 3 times now. I learn something new each time. Eating white bread seems counter-intuitive. But, I do purchase white bread with 4g fiber per serving. I buy it at retail from Publix or Lidl (German owned discount grocery). Not sure why you would want Amazon to deliver it. Best wishes.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I also purchase the same Publix bread.