Suddenly weight lossand dry skin, diabetic nephropathy stage 2 .

[Mwachibwago]

Am 52 years and 6 months old,170cm/1.7m tall,and 74 kg, with diabetic nephropathy stage 2.

From December last year,2021,I was weighing 86kg,but have lost 12 kg in a span of 4 monts,now at 74kg...Besides that,I have dry skin...have restricted myself on animal protein (occasionally I take beans), potassium and sodium, despite all of them being within the normal range..My creatine levels were at 93 during my last clinic visit,on 3/3/2022.My next clinic visit is on 9/5/2022. Am following a renal diet with plenty of eggplants, ladiesfinger, cabbages,( occasionally, spinach,kales-after leaching them.

For the fruits,I take apples,guavas,grapes.Am stressed Abit..

Towards mid March 2022,I contemplated suicide,but after telling my cousin about my situation,he cried alot in front of me..I feel completely letdown.

Am now a walking statute.

Feel like my soul is dead in my body leaving the husk struggling to survive.

Please,need your advice.

Mwachibwago

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

I hope you find a doctor that will support you. I also think you would benefit from a dietician. You obviously are not eating enough. At stage 2, the concern with potassium and protein is usually minimal. Your creatinine is normal and your other labs, you say, are normal. So why are you so restrictive on your diet? Are you diabetic as you say you have diabetic nephropathy? Diabetes can cause dry skin, but I bet you it is because you are not eating enough fats. PLEASE.... find a dietician who will give you a healthy diet for whatever conditions you are trying to help. CKD stage2 does not really require such restrictions as you are doing to yourself. You might also benefit from seeing a mental health counselor. I am not sure why or what you are so overly concerned about. I think you are scared of something that is not there. Please get the help you need.

[Mwachibwago in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thanks a lot Bassetmommer..What makes me overly scared is that, within a span of 3 months,5 people have succumbed to CKD related complications....Have heard people say that diabetic nephropathy is highly progressive,and it's almost impossible to stop or delay progression to end stage renal failure...am eagerly waiting for clarification from members on this information..On the diet side,will try to improve on the potassium and protein area.Already talked to a dietician..she promised to help me on the area of taking fatty, during my last lab visit,for lipid profile tests,the tests results showed that my LDL cholesterol was Abit higher (4.09 against a range of 2.0-3.4)..was given atorvastatin..the other cholesterols (hdl, triglycerides and total cholesterol)were within the normal ranges..Apart from that was given safetelmi for bp, which is normal,treviamet and empiget for diabetes and nefrosave supplements for the kidneys...Am also using cordyceps for the kidneys.

I bet what complicates everything is lack of knowledge on the disease..I believe by joining this group,will learn alot and save myself from the stress and depression associated with this condition.

Once again, thanks for everything.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to Mwachibwago]

Please consider kidneyschool.org to gain better information an CKD Blessings

[Mwachibwago in reply to KidneyCoach]

Thanks kidney coach for your time and concern..Atlong last am getting somewhere.

[RoxanneKidney]

It's good to eat healthy regardless of stages, but what you need is a therapist or a good friend. I crashed about a year after my mom died. I was wearing her cancer clothes because mine were too big. Now I'm at a good weight, but it came back with a better attitude. I am making an effort to do me. Nature walks, learning to sew, spending time with my old dog, just doing me. I would probably consider offing myself if I were in a lot of pain physically but I'm like a boxer and as long as I can keep getting up, I'm staying in this fight and I'm in it to win it. Plenty to be thankful for.

[Mwachibwago in reply to RoxanneKidney]

Thanks a lot Roxannekidney for sharing your experience and thoughts with me..Will step up my efforts on the healthy eating side,and see what will happen.. Actually, with diabetes and CKD,it complicates many things as far as dieting is concerned..Many foods that are good for diabetes may oppress the kidneys..those that are kidney friendly may spike blood sigar...Be blessed and thanks for your time

[RoxanneKidney in reply to Mwachibwago]

See if you can get the new SGLT-2 inhibitors. Sounds like they might be just the thing for you! But diet is the key, that is for sure.

[Sammi_n_Munk]

Hello Mwachibwago. At stage 2 CKD, there is still so much you can do to slow the progression of the disease and have many more years to enjoy your life and time with all the people who love you.

Everything you are doing is taking you in the right direction. Please know that you are never alone, even if sometimes you feel as though you are, you’re not. There are so many of us here that have felt the same way at some point in our journey (including myself), but you need to try and remember that you should never allow yourself to be bullied by people, or even by disease.

There are some other points that you may or may not already know about foods and medications that those of us with CKD need to be aware of.

1.) Keep away from medications that are anti-inflammatory types, such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve and Aspirin. These are bad for the kidneys. For pain relief, it’s better for us to use Tylenol (acetaminophen) unless you’re allergic to it or have liver issues, because this type is processed by the liver, not the kidneys.

2.) Although beans, lentils and chick peas are a healthy form of protein for others, we need to watch our intake of these as well as nuts, seeds, chocolate, because these are high both in potassium and phosphorus.

3.) If you do any heavy weight-lifting, speak to your doctor about how much S/he believes is right for you daily. Weight-lifting can raise creatinine levels. Cardio exercise is best for those of us with CKD (about 20 - 30 minutes of walking, jogging or cycling).

There are many sites you can visit such as kidneyschool.org, DaVita.com and some others you may hear of here in this forum. You certainly came to the right place! You will soon find, as I have, that this is an awesome community. The members here are wise, knowledgeable, kind and very helpful. You are not alone here. Welcome to the community. We are here always to support whenever you need it. Please continue to keep us posted on your progress. All my very best to you! God bless. 😊👍🙏

[Mwachibwago in reply to Sammi_n_Munk]

Thanks Sammi_n_Munk..I think it's in order if I give you a virtual hug..Since joining this site yesterday,I feel am at home..the members here are very supportive..I consider you my immediate family as I start my second journey.the journey of living with CKD...Above all,was prescribed atorvastatin,to lower my LDL cholesterol..which was Abit higher by 0.6-4.09 within a range of 2-3.4.Thanks allot...it's 5:17pm

[Sammi_n_Munk]

Big hugs right back to you!! We really are like family here. We have so much in common with each other. We share and support one another and provide helpful suggestions whenever we can. 😊👍🤗🙏

[Sophiebun11]

Hi,

It seems like your physical health is in fairly good shape. I think you need to find a professional to help you with your mental health.

You are over-worrying and stressing about things that are so far off in the future, or that may never happen, that you are taking the possibility of any day-to-day happiness out of your life.

You are worried about things you read online. Don't take that seriously. You don't even need a Nephrologist at Stage 2. You are in great shape from a kidney standpoint. I'm Stage 4 and am not planning ahead for kidney failure.

It's more likely I'll be hit by a bus or a falling building. Stop your over-reaction and negative thinking and push a reset button.

Learn what you can about your health from professionals, not the internet. See an endocrinologist about your diabetes if it is out of control and as others have suggested see a dietician for a proper Low Glycemic Index Diet for Diabetes and a plant based diet. You need to combine the two which is quite simple and delicious.

You don't need to feel deprived of anything. You are doing that to yourself. Cut out meat but most other things are ok unless you have high potassium or sodium levels.

You have a long way to go before you need to even think about dialysis or a transplant. Enjoy the health you have and don't worry yourself sick.

Best wishes

[Mwachibwago in reply to Sophiebun11]

Thanks a lot for the spot on advice and uplifting advice.. will scale down the worries and have a positive attitude towards the future.

[sparkie88]

I don't mean to be rude but you don't have cancer lung disease heart disease PKD brain tumors liver disease HIV Covid19.... Why do you want to die?

Ok you are in a much better position then all the above mentioned. The truth is you may be able to slow the progression of CKD if and only if you can control your other underlying conditions such as diabetes. You should check with your Endocrinologist to rule out autoimmune disease which may complicate things.

Also seek advise from a dietician don't just follow things you read on the web because it may harm you more even with things such as vegetables and fruits you may develop anemia which can be fatal and worsen the outcome of CKD

Finally if you are in the first 3 stages of CKD you should not stress on the kidney issues but do things that help your heart because it is your body's way of telling you your heart is in trouble soon besides CKD patients die mostly from heart disease and very rarely from kidney disease. So "forget" you have CKD live life freely and with as little stress as possible of course which what you eat move as much as you can and see some sun everyday. Finally get help from health professionals. Be strong some wants to live but they cannot you still can so live well.

Take care

[Mwachibwago in reply to sparkie88]

Thanks a lot Sparkie88 for the insightful thought and...Am due for lab tests to find out if I have any autoimmune disease on 13 /5/2022.Will keep you posted on the outcome and progress of the test results... During my previous visit, for the lipid profile, LDL cholesterol levels were above by 0.6...to 4.09(range 2.0-3.4)..Was given atorvastatin 20mg.

My pleasure to read such informative and inspiring advice very early in the morning..it's a good way to start my day.

It's 8.07am here.

[sparkie88 in reply to Mwachibwago]

All the best and take care .