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[Theblvd1958]

My name is Mike i live in southern california. I am 61 yrs old. Recently i was told i have CKD that my GFR is 20.

Does anyone know if i will need dialysis?

[rabbit01]

Hello Mike and welcome. I am 52 man and live in England. Four years ago I was diagnosed with 17% and gradually my kidney function has reduced to 8% and I am still not on dialysis. So the postive message is that progression of CKD can sometimes be slowed down by following a healthy lifestyle and changes to diet. But having only 20% at your age would normally mean that your kidneys will gradually decline to a point where dialysis is needed. Have you been referred to a kidney specialist? There's all sorts of reasons why the kidneys fail.

[lowraind]

A lot will depend on what you do. A kidney friendly diet, adequate hydration, avoiding adding salt to food, etc. will be very helpful in maintaining and even improving efgr. Read the topics on diet and nutrition to the right.

[Bunkin]

There are many things you can do to slow the progression of your disease. I have been end stage for over 4 years now. My suggestion is be proactive, think outside the box, don’t just let the doctor determine your fate and follow blindly along. Do your research. And last but certainly not least, with God all things are possible 😀

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Welcome Mike,

As the others said, it is up to you. I suggest you get an appointment with a renal dietician who can create a workable and livable diet for you to stick with. Changing up what you eat makes a big difference. You did not say if you have other things going on such a diabetes or high blood pressure. It is key to get the in control. By changing my diet I was able to get a normal A1c.

Here is a simple plan to start:

1. Eat out infrequently. You have less control over your food choices.

2. No fast foods

3. No process foods such as frozen dinners or packaged products

3. Less meat the better, chicken and fish still have high potassium, eat sparingly

4. 1-2 cups of coffee and use real crème not non-dairy

5. Lots of water up to 2 liters unless told by the doctor to drink less or more

6. Incorporate more whole foods in your diet: vegetables and fruits

7. Little to no alcohol especially beer One glass of wine might be ok

8. Cook without salt. You will get used to it and then eating stuff with salt will taste bad

9. Do not take supplement, OTC drugs or other without checking with the doctor first.

10. Get Educated. Take classes on how to manage kidney disease. There are classes on the intranet as will as maybe by your local Kidney Foundation davita.com/education/kidney...

Let us know how you are doing or if you have more questions.

[JimVanHorn]

Hello Mike, I agree with Bassetmommer. I have stage 4 kidney function and when I started treatment my creatinin was at 5.1 . I started eating the diet my nephrologist suggested and drinking water and 3 months later my creatinin level 3.7 . It has been over a year now and my creatinin is 4.1 . So doing healthy things for your kidney now can help you greatly in the future. Our enemy is Potassium, Phosphates, and sodium chloride (table salt). I went to see a nephrologist dietitian who explained everything over several hours. She gave me a great diet to follow and explained what dialysis is and how it works for future reference. Not everyone needs dialysis, but it is good to be educated about it.

[RhenDutchess123]

New Laws have been passed...Just this morning the President signed an executive order to improve treatment and education in early stages of ckd and more funding to help donors pay for missed work which may encourage more people to donate and more funding to artificial kidney research ...also at gfr of 20 or less you can now get on transplant list....there are lots of things on the horizon to help us....following the kidney diet is the best immediate thing you can do to slow the process and feel better while waiting for new inventions...best wishes to you and keep us posted...

[curiousmind2019 in reply to RhenDutchess123]

That is pretty promising what the President signed today: washingtonpost.com/health/t...