Hi all, My GFR was 16% two weeks ago, so my consultant started proceedings for possible transplant from my mom & dad. As I’m a mother to very young children I’m feeling quite scared about the prospect of having a transplant or dialysis and am trying to slow down the kidney disease, which was caused through urine reflux, causing scarring. I suffer with high blood pressure as a result of the disease and take 300mg approval & 7.5mg Bisipralol. I also take 500mg of iron and vitamin d activation tablet.
I’m worried that il need another transplant in my 50s (which is 20years away) & I’m also feeling guilty having my moms kidney, worried Incase Of reflection of the kidney!
In the last two weeks I increased my gfr from 16-19% through becoming vegetarian ..but it’s gone down slightly now to 18%. My creatinine has decreased by 20..so my creatinine is now is around 250..
What I would like to know is if anyone can recommend anything that could increase my gfr more such as plant based? & how long do transplant usually last? what are the immune supresent medication like? Does anybody else have the same type of reflux kidney disease? and really any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
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Kalee33
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Hey there! I have IgA Nephritis with a GFR of 14%. I have been 95% plant-based since my function dropped in August 2019 and although they told me to prepare for dialysis when I was released from the hospital, my doctor thankfully has put no pressure on me because my inflammatory markers are improving. Natural Kidney Journey on FB is a great site, but most importantly you have to believe in the power of your body to heal. Here I can recommend Joe Dispenza's youtube videos and the movies HEAL and GAMECHANGERS on Netflix if you have not seen either of those. You are on the right path; we are in control of our health.
Hi, thank you for your response! That’s such positive news to read that you have improved through your commitment to plant c bc asked diet! Well done! I too believe in the power of my body and holistic treatment. Is there anything in particular that you don’t eat or drink whilst eating plant based? Or is all plant based food available.
Thank you fir the recommendation, il definitely give them watch.
So happy I could help :). My GFR was 12%. Like I said, the function wavers, but I am really happy with the bigger picture: decreasing inflammation markers, no fatigue or nausea and normal potassium/phosphate values. By avoiding all nightshades and gluten, I drastically reduced the protein in my urine (500 down to 150). I avoid bananas and processed foods, trying to stick with a 4:1 veggie/fruit to grain/bean ratio. All the best for your journey! Feel free to ask if you have further questions.
I stick to water, tea, and have coffee maybe two times a week. No alcohol, but you probably guessed that :). My boys were little when I was diagnosed with IgA and I know if I had gone plant-based 20 years ago, it would have been a different story, but unfortunately I only focused on a vegetarian diet.
Sure! Right now I am experimenting with food from the FB page "Natural Kidney Journey" and recommendations from the Liver Rescue from Anthony William. I have documented some on my instagram (bodyrebelrise), but will gladly send you others if you DM me your email. My meals are simple and I believe that all organs are connected, so that is why I am not following one specific and try out different approaches, comparing results with bi-monthly labwork. Regardless of what you do, it is important to give your body nutrients in order for it to heal :). Looking forward to hearing from you!
Hi Kalee33, Good Morning from Worcester, Ma... My mom is also battling with Kidney desease and she was in the last stage when i found this page on facebook Natural Kidney Journey its a page where the owner and her husband Don have created a plant based diet 85 percent fruits and veggies and 15 grains ... The ladies husband Don had cancer, was on dyalisis and had alot more going on and they researched foods that help the kidney get its functions back and not only that the food that is in the list of the what to eat helps the whole body get healthy and you will see it in your labs the more compliant you are ... It was hard at first with my mom bc she is a spanish older lady and the food on the list weren't nutrients that we commonly eat but i thank God that she is getting use to it and her labs look great and her kidney functions are improving and i should also mention my mother has cancer, anemia is on coumadin and the list goes on.... It has work for so many people ... If you stick the diet you will see improvements ... the group is supportive and there are tons of recipes that people share to help in this journey .... I hope you consider it ... God bless you ... Im here if you need anything.
Hi Stefanie, thank you so much for taking the time to write to me! I’m very great Full! I hope to god your mother continues to get better! Also I will definitely give the raw fruit and veg ago! Take care hunni x
I think my story may be slightly similar. I just turned 35, and got my transplant when I was 33. It was caused by Posterior Urethral Valves, which is a form of reflux that permanently damaged my kidneys.
I also saw my GFR fluctuate up and down between 14 and 21 over almost 2.5 years. Everyone's body is different, and at the end of the day, I don't think anyone can ever permanently stave off chronic kidney failure, but from a diet standpoint, my doctors recommended:
• Low protein
• Low potassium
• Low phosphorus
I also met with a dietitian who helped me outline meal plans and healthy ingredients to eat and cook with. This was SUPER helpful just to set a baseline of knowledge for me, and understand what different foods could do for (or against) my kidney health. My wife and I wound up eating vegetarian a few nights a week, and I ate a lot of avocado toasts and salads for lunch instead of burritos or lunch meat sandwiches. I would highly recommend this if your transplant center offers it.
I would say the overall diet adjustments were probably mildly effective for me, and I also drank (and still do drink) a LOT of water every day. Even if it didn't slow down the deterioration of my kidney function THAT much, it made me feel a bit better throughout the process. And I did still drink alcohol in moderation, definitely treated myself to sugary or salty foods from time to time. It didn't totally upend my life. Above all, it really affected food I kept in the house.
*And speaking of feeling better throughout the process, that was the main thing my doctor kept pushing to me - even if it feels weird to get a kidney transplant when you're feeling good and healthy, going into a surgery of this magnitude feeling strong vs. feeling sick makes the recovery AND the outcome much better. And I would certainly say that was true for me.
As for how long transplants last, it varies. Outcomes tend to be better with live donors than cadaver donors, so it's good your mom and dad are being tested. I personally have been told that the average is between 12-20 years, but my hospital said they have a recipient who has had their donor kidney for 43 (!!!) years.
I would also say that most of the people getting transplanted at similar times to me were much older. Something I look forward to is the advances in the medical/ transplant community that hopefully can be utilized by people our age or younger in the next 15-20 years. This includes much milder immunosuppressants that can be used with fewer side effects. (Of course, it's not great to be on them for 30-40-50 years, but we have no choice - at least not yet.) But I only take Myfortic and get a Belatacept infusion once a month. I really don't have any side effects - just precautions (avoiding bacteria, not eating raw or undercooked foods, etc.)
Wow lots of valuable information here!!!! Thank you so much!!! I’m really great full for the immune medication information as this is something I’m really over thinking..I will look up the meds you take. Xx
I am living well 20 years post transplant. A living donor transplant from your Mom or Dad "could" last for the rest of your life.
I believe that the trick with a transplant is that you report any problems/issues to your transplant team, no matter how insignificant you think it is. The first year your body is not only getting over the major surgery but also the immunosuppressants you have to take. My meds were adjusted several times that first year due to side effects. That is why it is so important to tell your team what you are experiencing. They can't help if they don't know about the problem.
Post transplant - always take your meds on time, never skip a dose, drink plenty of water, walk everyday, eat a healthy diet and have all of your labs done on time.
Keep us posted. I would be glad to answer any of your question regarding transplantation from my experience.
Wow congratulations on your kidney..that’s fantastic to here!!! This makes me feel so much relief, to know people like your self are still going strong 20years on! Also the fact my moms kidney could lay my lifetime make me and mom so unbelievably happy, the last thing I ever want is to reject moms kidney, so with the prospect it could last a life time is making feel so positive..thank you xx I believe it will all be ok, and I can make this kidney last a life time..my moms a very healthy fitness instructor teaching Pilates and yoga and I’m health mad to and currently study nursing degree..so he both if us are very knowledgeable with health and both willing to eat good and exercise etc this I think will increase my chances of making the transplant kidney last. Thank you fir all the advice xx
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Protein intake after kidney transplant.
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