question if anyone have experience that kidney function only improve for certain period but after that it’s stopped improving. Is that true?

[Savreen1]

question if anyone have experience that kidney function only improve for certain period but after that it’s stopped improving. Is that true?

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Has your CKD level stabilized? My eGFR level can sometimes decline and sometimes increase. Are you on a CKD diet, if so and get off the diet it could cause a decline. There could be other factors.

[Hidden]

The best way for me to explain this is by using myself as an example. I was diagnosed 44 months ago with a GFR of 32. I had never heard of CKD and was shocked. I started to collect previous copies of my lab results and discovered that I had low numbers for over a year and was never informed that I was in the early stages. So far, ever since I was in Stage 2 I've had 42 different labs run that included my GFR. The most recent results were given to me this morning is 58. My average GFR, over this entire period of time is now 52. The highest it has ever been since then has been 65 and another was 62. The 32 was the lowest. A number of those labs had my GFR in the middle of the 30's and all over the mid to upper 40's, but the average of all of the labs, has me at 52.Because GFR fluctuates from lab to lab and can even be different within the same week, it's important to maintain your average and not be stressed by these fluctuations regardless of whether they are higher or lower than the average you have.

I don't know how long my average can be maintained, but I'm prepared for when dialysis comes. Just like I did for CKD, I've learned and studied about the various modalities for dialysis and found the one that will fit my lifestyle with as little disruption as possible. I spoke with my doctors,(nephrologist, cardiologist, and PCP), and all have agreed with my findings that what I chose would be good for me.

There are many folks in this community who have been in all stages for a long time and are doing all they can to hold off dialysis treatments. There are outside factors that impact CKD and your GFR. Exercise, meal plan, underlying health conditions and medications, to name a few. I also have the two leading caused of CKD, hypertension and diabetes. My last A1c, taken Monday, was 4.7. My PCP told me I was the best diabetic patient she had. She told me that if that continued I should eat a candy bar every now and again. While I know she was joking, the point I'm making is that I know that diabetes caused my CKD and I have to be careful every day.

Don't worry too much about any specific GFR result. Whether it's a high one or a low one, stay the course. Stick to your exercise regimen, follow your meal plan, keep any underlying conditions under control, take any medications in a timely manner and always continue the learning. It's the only way to maintain your sanity. There is no magic cure for CKD, no book with a one size fits all diet, and no tea, cream or spice that will restore your kidneys.

If you've put together a solid Care Team of physicians and other medical professionals you trust, follow their advice, make wise choices and don't stress with the fluctuations from lab to lab.

Best of luck.

[Savreen1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much Mr.kidney. I had ckd bcz of preeclampsia so doctor told me in this time how much ur kidney function improved that’s it now it’s might stopped improving so I’m very disappointed. I was happy before to know but now feeling hopeless again. Even I can’t enjoy with my baby girl bcz I’m so worried about her if something happen to me😔

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to Savreen1]

I'm sorry to hear of your struggles. From my limited knowledge and experience pre-eclampsia is not chronic kidney disease, rather acute which is most often resolved although some damage can remain. Worrying about your daughter in worst case scenario won't help. What will help is research, education and PREPARING in any ways possible. Godparents, durable power of attorney, life insurance, trust fund. THEN, spend quality time with her, make memories and live life knowing you have done everything possible. Blessings

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Just curious as to why you think your diabetic with a A1c of 4.7....unlike CKD diabetes can be reversed..Now I understand that Dr's will label you as diabetic, but your not...now if you went back to bad eating habits you would become diabetic again....just like being obese or high blood pressure, once you lose weight or lower your blood pressure, you no long are obese or have high blood pressure.....I understand that if you were diabetic for a long time it probable did do damage to your Kidney ..I'm just curious to your thoughts on being diabetic

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

OK, how about 21 years of dealing with T2D? Two A1c's ago I was at 5.4 and the last one was 5.1. Both my PCP and I were surprised at the 4.7, however diabetes was the cause of my CKD and I've changed nothing with my meal plan, kept up my exercise regimen, and kept current on all of my medications. Except for a short course of a diabetes medication around the time of my gall bladder removal surgery, I haven't taken any diabetes meds since the day I was given the CKD diagnosis. That being said the damage to my kidneys, heart and other organs has been done. Even if future testing shows great A1c's I will continue to follow my diabetic, kidney disease meal plan, exercise, control my hypertension (with medications) and do all that is necessary to stay off dialysis for as long as possible. Calling myself a non-diabetic would be pointless as the damage has already been done. Who knows how much of my life has already been taken from me.

I'm diabetic and hypertensive and also have CKD, AMD (also caused by diabetes), so with the damage already done, I'll continue to practice the same things that got me to a 4.7 A1c, a 58 GFR, (average of 52 for over four years), and stabilized my vision.

[userotc]

Interesting question. It seems logical that improvements must reach a limit with the level reached dependent on everything we know - diet, exercise etc etc.As a personal example which may be relevant(?), my mum's gfr when she had 2 kidneys in 2017 was 60ml/min. After nephrectomy, it reduced to 36 but has since risen to an average of circa 53.

I read somewhere that a single kidney could recover 100% for the lost kidney so 60 may be achievable (actually it hit 61 approx 14mths ago). Gut feeling is that is the limit but I believe/hope she can get higher as her diet etc is much better now than pre-nephrectomy.