Some good news

[drmind]

I thought I posted some good news earlier this week, but I cant find it. So I'm sorry if I'm repeating myself, but I'm happy to report getting good lab results. My GFR went from 23 to 28, Creatinine went from 1.96 to 1.65, BUN went from 37 to 29, and PTH went from 1.94 to 1.65. I see the doctor on Monday and have tons of questions for him. Not looking for miracles but just hoping I can stabilize things. Dealing with some side effects from BP medication changes but otherwise all is well for now. Being very studious in charting my food intake and finding out a lot about different food choices. Hope to begin my walking again soon but the weather has not cooperated. Best to everyone.

[Hidden]

The numbers are going in a positive direction. Keep it up. Get the answers to your questions at your appointment. Stay strong. Isn't being proactive so much better than being reactive?

Continued success!

[drmind in reply to Hidden]

Yes, being proactive is so much better. But, I'm not a non-assertive person [ask my kids] but for some reason, this kidney thing got me out of my comfort zone when all of a sudden my GFR dropped from 40 to 23 in a month or so. I'm trying to get back in control and i know I will after I stop being annoyed that so many doctors dropped the ball. Thanks for all your support and kind words.

[Hidden in reply to drmind]

Welcome to the club. When I found out I had CKD 38 months ago and then checked out my previous labs I found out that I had it for over a year before I was told. There are many of us in the club. Keep up the great work.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to drmind]

drmind,

Fabulous news! So glad that you shared it!

An inspiration to the community.

Just the words kidney issue can be paralyzing and knock you out of your comfort zone! So you are very normal in that respect.

Remember that this is all a process and lifestyle change which takes time.

The control is within - let it radiate through. It's there! 🌹

As far as assertiveness and proactive; take the pressure off yourself.

Print out your labs from your portal before each appointment. Note the results from your previous labs next to the current results. Check off any labs which flag above and under the range listed, and ask your doctor about it as the data and areas to focus on are right there.

You will be looking at the same page as the doctor on their computer.

Take notes next to them and or ask a family member to join you at your appointment with a notebook and scribe for you. It is a second set of ears and a scribe allows you to focus on the discussion with the notes to look back on after and a reference point for your next appointment!

Stay positive and let your natural instincts of curiosity supersede your fears to be assertive.

It will all work! It's advocating and putting your mind at rest.

Your cheering squad is right behind you!

Bet

[drmind in reply to Bet117]

What kind words. Thanks. I have my lab results going back 10 years.that Quest Diagnostics graph for me. I give these to my doctor. I just want to make sure that I have the best medical care that i can have now. A few doctors have dropped the ball for a few years and i guess i let them. i dont want to make that mistake again.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to drmind]

Hi drmind,

Gosh no thanks ever needed; my pleasure.

We have Quest here as well. Still print out a copy of your labs for next week and check off any areas which flag or you would like explained and ask.

Communication between you and your doctor; in simple language, is imperative as well as their willingness to consult with your other doctors; be it a call, email or fax.

My nephrologist and PCP fax lab results and visit summaries to each other after they see me, so no conflict or incompatible meds exist.

Remember that you are the patient and paying for their professional services and expertise.

If they drop the ball, consider finding someone who is communicative and competent.

My PCP and I were fed up with many issues with a nephrology team in a well known metro teaching hospital, of all places. She and I worked together to find my present nephrologist; who is closer to home which is a perk. He is also with a teaching hospital and is great. Once set with him; just called the other office and cancelled. No reason. Clean.

Most importantly that you get the best care possible!

Bring the labs, check off and questions - even in the margin.

My favorite line is " This flagged, would you please explain the test and how it can be improved."

I am sitting next to you there and await your feedback from the experience.

Stay safe and positive!

It will all be good. After- reward yourself! Even if it is an iced tea or a magazine!

Bet

[shpar]

That’s great to hear! I’m glad your labs are doing better! Sometimes it’s these small changes that have the most profound impact on our emotional state. The few times my eGFR went up even a few points felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulder. We’re here in this fight with you!

[drmind in reply to shpar]

Yes...thank goodness for those little lifts.

[WinJ3]

It's such a joy hearing about good news! Everything moving in the right way 😀

[drmind in reply to WinJ3]

Thanks

[Jayhawker]

Thanks for sharing your good news!

Jayhawker

[drmind in reply to Jayhawker]

Thanks

[anniegoony]

Lovely to hear your good news. Take care.

[Ziggydoodah]

Great news. I hope things continue to improve. It's amazing the moral boost you get, when you receive some good results for a change.

[drmind in reply to Ziggydoodah]

Yes....it gives your attempts to diet, exercise, hydrate, etc. A little boost. Thanks for your kind words.

[Love101cats]

It is good to hear your good news. It has encouraged me to share my small success with HbA1c dropping from 52 to 48 in two weeks. Again its going that extra mile with diet and not taking chances. So im not on any medication action for diabetes. However everything to do with kidneys has stalled. Im waiting for a scan and havnt even had a letter from a specialist yet. !ILike many im shocked to discover my GFR is 28 which is stage 4 but why wasn't it ever mentioned before. I was having regular blood tests. I was given my HbA1c results over the phone from another hospital. Why is it so hard to get them locally?

[Helloyall in reply to Love101cats]

Go to kidney foundation.org and Davitas. Com to see recommended diet and limits on protien, potassium, phosphorous and sodium. Its more challenging as some of the food choice recommendations conflict w a diabetic diet but is very doable.

[Darlenia in reply to Helloyall]

Yes, it's so very important to cut back and even eliminate the diabetes, the reason for most kidney failures, including my husband's. A website devoted to exclusively to DKD (Diabetic Kidney Disease) with recipes would be welcomed by many of us.

[drmind in reply to Love101cats]

Just like so many in the group as others have reported we were late in getting news that we had CKD. Wish i would have been tuned in when my GFR was in the 50's and not 30's. Anyway, I'm happy for you that you had some good news about your A1c.

I agree that diet is important and im struggling with it. I have no problem with finding the items I like to eat. I just fall back on wanting to cook them in the "old" way. Its all about habit, but im making progress.

About lab results: Ive gone to Quest Diagnostics for all my tests for years. They email me the results about 2 to 3 days after the test. And, whats great is when i pull up the results, I can get a graph of that item over time going back about 10 years . Its amazing. I print up the whole report with the information graphs on all the items. Because of this feature, I won't go to any other lab center even though doctors have written the referrals to another center.

Also, You have a right to set up a patient account with the lab you went to and get all the report results emailed to you. They're your records. Its usual, however. that they have to send the report to your doctor first.

Do you really have 101 cats? I have one orange tabby and he rules the roost. Best to you.

[Helloyall]

Small changes are good. Keep doing what you are doing with the diet and be strict about it. It can help a lot. You are not on H2O restriction yet unless told otherwise so keep 'em flushed out.

[drmind in reply to Helloyall]

Thanks. Amazing how diet is so important

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

It's a vast part of the process and preventing progression.

[Darlenia]

So glad you're proactive! Keep on keeping on! Your good news has certainly brightened my day.

[drmind in reply to Darlenia]

Thanks