I'm trying to post and it won't let me.

[RockinRickety]

Hi everyone - I'm new to this site. Blood tests told me my kidneys were not performing as they should about two years ago. My most current Chem panel test (7/3/19) indicated the following: Creatinine 1.87 mg/dl, Bun 28 mg/dl and Glomerular Filtration Rate, nonafrican american 35 ml/min. Now I realize that doesn't mean I'm getting ready to die in the next few days, but it's still concerning to say the least. I'm 71 but other than this issue, in good health. Don't smoke, have an excellent diet and have never been overweight. Go to the gym 4 days a week so my life style is relatively healthy. My big vice is booze. My liver function is completely normal. Used to drink like a fish when I was younger and still like a couple of hard liquor drinks a night. My Mom made it to 100 (she didn't drink). Would like to follow in her foot steps. Any input on how to slow this kidney disease parade down would be greatly appreciated. Best of luck to all of you suffering from this crappy condition......Rick

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Hi Rockiing,

I think you know the answer... consumption of alcohol is not good for not only the liver but for your body in general. For one thing, it dehydrates you. It can raise your blood pressure. The key is moderation. A doctor once said that someone admits to a couple of drinks a night is probably consuming much more than a couple. I would ask your doctor if they feel it is ok to have one or two a night.

The choice is yours. I used to drink so I get it. But I have not had hard liquor in over twenty years. I stopped all alcohol for ten years. But now I do have some wine occasionally. But it is a tasting glass size and maybe once or twice a month. Mostly on vacation or special occasions. My doctor said that was fine. Not nightly for me because of my BP and weight situation.

You say you have an excellent diet. Do you know what to eat to help your kidneys? There is a lot you can do to help your kidney function stabilize through diet and at stage 3, it is not hard. I would recommend you see a renal dietician to find out what would be good for you specifically. But briefly: reduce consumption of red meat, limit salt, no processed food, and stay away from preservatives. There is a lot more to it but it depends on the individual.

kidney.org/news/kidneyCare/...

This was interesting and why I said speak to your doctor......

This journal article said just the opposite. " Alcohol consumption was inversely associated with stage 3 CKD in Taiwanese men". and yet the article then states : "Consumption of more than two drinks per day was associated with increased risk of ESRD in an American population"

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...