Some Subject Matter Expert Encouragement

I’m 59 with a GFR of 93 but with some measure of proteinuria…..have some additional (more involved) tests coming up for just how much. I know there are people on this forum that are facing much more challenging scenarios than me so I don’t mean to whine. What I really need to know is can I possibly prevent any progression through diet and exercise? I weigh 185 and my BP was pretty high for a few years (no meds) but through lifestyle and diet my BP is now around 112 over 68. I’d be grateful for your feedback.

[Hidden]

I would ask you first, how do you know you have some proteinuria? That is generally detected in a urine test for an accurate measurement. Maybe you're seeing foam when you pee and assumed it from that. The urine test lab readings will give a result like Trace, +1, +2, etc. Do you eat an excessive amount of meats, fish, eggs, or cheese?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hey, thanks for the reply. Home dipstick but the color thing is hard to decipher…so I scheduled a follow up to my most recent labs which were all normal except they didn’t take any urine. I do have bubbly urine from time to time but it all clears up after a few minutes except sometimes there’s a little spot of micro bubbles about the diameter of a pencil eraser of smaller. I do eat 70-80 grams of protein a day chicken breast and whey mostly. Again, sorry to take up time but was just curious. I know the doc will have the best answer.

[RoxanneKidney in reply to Hidden]

I have same issue. Plant based diet Less salt. Less animal meat. Good start.

[Hidden in reply to RoxanneKidney]

Yep! Thanks!

[jodaer]

Not sure you can prevent any progression, but I would try for the healthiest lifestyle you can manage.

[Hidden]

Thank you. I’m a pretty thin gym rat so keeping that up.

[Herkidney]

It is my understanding that individuals who exercise a lot tend to have some protein in their urine. BUT please double check with your physician. As you already know, you should always seek medical advice from your own physician. Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to Herkidney]

No doubt. I’m going back to the MD week after next. For me though this has been a wake-up. I’ve kinda sorta managed my BP over the years but not to the extent I am now and I’ve shown myself i can do it so I’m not going back.

[seabreezegirl]

Eat less protein in diet and get nutrition teaching on proper foods to eat and what not to eat to slow the disease down.

[Hidden in reply to seabreezegirl]

Thanks. I’m going to see if I can get some time with the renal dietician.

[seabreezegirl in reply to Hidden]

That sounds great !!

[Okiksaints1955]

The way to analyze a problem is to get all the facts, deep dive on facts vs noise , get help from the experts, explore all options, etc.

It is very dangerous to have one or two data points, incomplete info, etc. And go back and forth on what if solutions.

I am 2 years to transplant and every time, I encounter an issue, my medical teams help me find the reason and the right solution.

3 weeks ago, I was having persistent top of my left eye based headache. So far, they have done blood works (my blood is thicker than normal), sinus and allergy tests (none), glocoma exam (some pressure that requires anti glocoma ophthalmic drops)and sleep apnea study (awaiting results).

Extensive for only a headache.

Initial resolutions are:

- 1 phlebotomy and quarterly blood donation

- low dose of antithrombotic agent.

No othermedicines.

Seems to be working and will revisit again in 2 months. My medical teams (one in SG and one in PH) are very thorough.

BTW, early in my CKD journey (+30 years ago), My doctor asked me to stop pumping heavy weights. So shifted to low weight, more reps. More resistance and toned. Run marathons till I was 60. Am now 67 and just doing leisurely 7-8 K at least 4 days a week.

Good luck on your journey. Hope this helps.

[Hidden in reply to Okiksaints1955]

YOU are a great encouragement and I hear you. I’m going to get the doc to do a number of tests. I do low weight high reps, swim, and speed walk (no running —bad knee) but I can speed walk a 15 minute mile for 5-8 miles. Hang in there and keep up the god work!!

[Blackknight1989]

Absolutely diet and exercise matter a lot. I was diagnosed stageIV in 1996 with average creatinine of about 3.1 or so. Maintained until the last couple of years. Finally my poly-osteoarthritis made it nearly impossible to do much of anything. Now creatinine is closer to 4 eGFR averages around 16/18. Just in the last 3/4 years have I been evaluated with eGFR. From ‘96-18 always creatinine and BUN. I completely agree with others, educate yourself to be as smart as your doctors and probably smarter than your primary care doc on CKD. It should be the number one concern in your life and preventing it’s deteriorating into the need for transplant your number one goal. Good luck…gym rat…lol!

[Hidden in reply to Blackknight1989]

Many thanks, Blackknight! That really helped!

[Blackknight1989 in reply to Hidden]

I hope so and thanks for the kind words!

[Hidden]

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