diet

[Epril]

Anyone been told protein isn't a concern? My dr. said she ran a study and the results were that limiting protein wasn't really helpful.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

HI Epril,

I would ask your doctor where they got the information from. Everything I have been told, from my nephrologit, PCP and other clinicians and what I personally practice says different. It even matters what type of protein you do consume.

Check to see if this doctor is affiliated with a dialysis center... Are they drumming up business? I am serious on this.

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome to the community.

Do you know what they call the person who graduates last in their class at medical school?

Doctor.

I believe your doctor is a last in the class doctor. Protein is hard for the kidneys to break down and is most definitely something that must be reduced based on your labs. Hopefully, the doctor who told you this is not a nephrologist. Find a good one and get honest answers. You can use healthgrades.com/find-a-doctor to find one in your area.

When you meet with the nephrologist ask for a referral to meet with a Renal Dietitian. When you go to that appointment bring as many copies of your previous lab results and together you and the RD can develop a kidney-friendly meal plan to fit your specific wants and needs. You'll have to monitor protein, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and calcium.

Until you can secure appointments to learn all you can please go to davita.com and register for a free, 90-minute Kidney Smart class. You'll get a lot of accurate information and resources to help you become proactive. If you have the time you can also go to kidneyschool.org and watch their series of learning modules about CKD. Anything you have questions about from the class and modules would be great questions to ask the nephrologist and RD.

While there is no cure for CKD it is possible to slow the progression of CKD by maintaining an appropriate meal plan, a solid exercise regimen, and if possible get the causes of your CKD under control. The two leading causes of CKD are diabetes and hypertension. Also, don't worry about your eGFR with one poor lab result. What your nephrologist will look for is your average GFR over time. I was diagnosed with a 32 about 40 months ago. Since then, I've gotten myself a solid meal plan, I exercise appropriately, control my T2D and HBP and my average GFR is now 53. I intend to hold off dialysis for as long as possible.

You'll find this community a great place to share and get support on this journey. Best of luck.

[Gemcar13 in reply to Hidden]

Gemcar13, mr kidney I have followed ALL your responses an you are on point an so informed . As you mention I watch my Protien, potassium, prosperous, sodium. An drop my A1c from 6.0 to 5.6 in 6moths time, an increase my GFR from 42 to 77, also increase my water in Take drop my Creatinine to 88. With the help of a RD cook book. Bless you for all your kidney info. Gemcar13

[Epril in reply to Hidden]

My dr. also said there is little chance my kidney function will improve. I am in stage 4. Is this true? I feel like why work on it if there's no chance it would make a difference, although I do try to limit salt, exercize, see an endo., drink water, insulin, bp meds.....

[Hidden in reply to Epril]

CKD can be slowed, but it requires a significant effort. As I said I was diagnosed with a GFR of 32. Had I done nothing I would either be on dialysis or dead. I learned what I could and followed my meal plan, exercise program, keep my other health issues under control, and with labs run every two to three months by three different physicians, my average GFR is 53. I plan to hold off dialysis for as long as possible to maintain my preferred lifestyle.

If you monitor your protein, potassium, phosphorus, and sodium you should be able to maintain a GFR that keeps you off dialysis for some time.

To plan ahead after you stabilize your GFR you can then look into the modalities available should dialysis become necessary.

Take control of your life by getting control of your health issues and never give in to the illness.

Best of luck.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Welcome to the forum. Here is a link to information on Protein and Chronic Kidney Disease from NIH published in 2017. Maybe get a second opinion from another Doctor, and take in past eGFR results. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Hi Epril

Welcome to a great community filled with wonderful, knowledgeable and supportive people!

Read your post and am in total agreement with the three great folks who have responded to you; Bassetmommer, Mr._Kidney and Orange City.

I don't know where your doctor ran her study about protein, but it is most definately off the mark for kidney patients.

The goal with CKD or any other kidney issues is to slow down or stop progression as there is no cure.

Many factors make up a medical plan suited to your individual needs based on your labs; which will vary. Each person is different. Blood pressure, creatinine level, GFR, glucose, albumin, calcium, protein spilling, and regular blood counts are so vital.

A diet which limits sodium to 1500- 2000mg, low protein with no red meat, no processed foods as high sodium cold cuts, hot dogs etc, watching dairy, potassium and phosphorous are critical. Adding fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet is imperative. This is a lifestyle change.

I agree with Orange City, I would most certainly seek the counsel of another doctor; be they a PCP, nephrologist or urologist as this person is not providing you with correct information and individualizing your health plan.

If you have access to a renal dietician, or even the dietician who handles kidney patients at your local hospital, that would be great as he/ she will put together a meal plan of food choices which are both appetizing and nutritious. They also should be able to recommend another doctor to you.

Advocating for yourself is so key..we will all be here waiting to hear back from you. Reach out!

Bet

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

If she conducted a study, where exactly are her published findings? If it was just some random study done on her own without intention to produce results or publish then she likely didn't follow scientific guidelines. If the latter then her study is useless and also pointless. The fact she says this imho says she is woefully outdated in reading up on scientific journals and following recommended guidelines, and well lazy in her care for patients. I personally would run to a new one asap. Blessings

[Jennfla]

Hey Epril...my kidney doctor never mentioned diet to me at ALL...after doing my own research and contacting a nutritionist on my own, my labs have improved!! I have been on several forums and I have noticed a lot of people saying their doctors rarely refer them or mention renal diets...crazy!

[ByMyself in reply to Jennfla]

Came across your post. I have been with a specialist for almost a year now. There has been no mention of recommended foods etc from him. Initially just a lot of paperwork on sodium intake. I am now early stage 4 from mid stage 3 a year ago. My BP under control now (polycystic cysts both kidneys) and no diabetic issues. So - I have been trying to find more on the yes and no on various foods on my own. I do intend to seek additional consulting. And not happy I was not told I have been flurting with 4 most of this year. Didn't see that until I got mail for next lab work in Jan. (4 month interval appt to appt). I keep getting told I am "stable". I thought stable meant I was still mid stage 3....not very happy. And feeling discouraged...

[Epril in reply to ByMyself]

It's frustrating when I think the neurologist knows what she is talking about and so I trust her and now see all these posts about how she is wrong. I also had a neurologist tell me that my kidneys weren't that bad..were stable, so since I didn't have health insurance I figured I didn't need to go and waste the money. Now stage 4. Yes very depressing and I'm sorry you are going through this too.

[Epril]

I saw her today and she said the same thing..."If the Cleveland Browns can eat a lot of protein and not have kidney disease, then you don't have to worry about protein, unless you are in renal failure. Does it make the answer different knowing I'm not in renal failure? Even though I am in stage 4. I don't know what to believe, but I will eat less red meat. I try to eat recommended daily portion sizes. The dr. also said that only people in renal failure need to see a renal nutritionist. ???

[Gemcar13 in reply to Epril]

Epril , you need a new Dr .. I was told I have CKD 3 , With Labs of GFR 42, A1c 6.0 , Creatinine. 109 .. I then cut out Red meat, pork, chicken, turkey , cold cuts, dairy’s, I went to a plant Base Diet, got a RD cookbook . In 6 months my Labs all improved...A1c is 5.6, GFR 77,creatinine 88. So it can be done... I also follow MR Kidney who is well informed . It’s helps to be your own advocate, by doing research on your health. As Mr Kidney said every one has to do what works for them... Good Luck you can do it.. Gemcar13

[Hidden in reply to Epril]

That comment by your doctor doesn't make any sense. If someone on the Cleveland Browns had the underlying conditions, like diabetes and/or high blood pressure, they would indeed find out that they had CKD. They may not find out until their career is over and in the time I've been in this community I have seen folks from young teens to octogenarians who just found out they have CKD. You need to find a more informed physician to take care of your health needs.