Hi everyone, I have CKD stage 4, from past few months I am noticing that my legs are becoming heavy especially from the calf area and just below the knee area but yesterday both ankles of my legs got swollen… is this mean I am into end stage renal disease???
Kindly spread some light!
Not necessarily the end... just fluid retention. Mention it to your doctor to see if there is something they can do to help with the edema. Make sure your salt intake is limited and that you are walking as much as your can. You can actually get some compression socks that can help with the ankles. When you can, raise you legs up on a stool or recliner. And lastly, have a blood test to see if there has been a change in the kidney function or any other issue.
Thank u so much for quick reply… just got done my test few days ago …. All electrolytes are in normal range but yes I have not been so active as I suppose to be…. Does walking aggravate the swelling on legs??As when I walk, rings on my finger gets tight…
It should help with swelling. If you notice cramps or charlie horses when walking, also relay that info to the Doctor.
Bassettmommer gave you some excellent advice and I'm adding to that with some more detail in the article below.
uptodate.com/contents/edema...
Beyond that you might want to go to kidneyschool.org and view their learning modules as there are explanations there that will let you know what to be on the lookout for with CKD. It should help you develop questions for your nephrologist as well as lessen your anxiety of dealing with a chronic illness.
Best of luck.
I think end stage is 5 beyond which you cannot go. In stage 4 i think Edema is common & is manageable. Ask your doctor about Lasix, & a whole food plant based diet. I put my mom with stage 4 on that diet & it cured her edema without lasix. Check your heart with an echocardiogram. I agree with basset’s teply. . I am also optimistic that diet can improve kidney function.
How many grams of protein did she eat each day on the whole food plant based diet? And, where did she get her protein from? Thanks in advance.
You may need to reduce your fluid in-take a bit too...or change what your a drinking..I have a stationary bike that I ride every day and I think that helps a multitude of symptoms...especially when it's cold or windy out and walking outside is misery
Walking even help people live longer on dialysis. Some centers have gyms/treadmills.
CKD stage 3A
CKD Stage 
eGFR CKD STAGE
CKD Stage 4 now Stage 5
Am I not taking my Stage 4 CKD seriously enough?
