Just reached Stage 3a

[podo]

Having watched my eGFR decrease slowly over 20 years I have now reached CKD stage 3a on my 84th birthday! I have been pre-occupied during this time with other issues, PMR & Rheumatoid Arthritis but now feel that I need to consider all avenues to protect my remaining kidney function. I would be grateful for any information on topics such as: which medications to avoid, diet advice & other lifestyle changes. I also have enlarged prostate which doesn't help. My thanks in advance for any pointers.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

I too am in your age group (I am 81)and have level 3 CKD. My Doctor put me on a CKD diet based on bloodwork for potassium, phosphorus, sodium and protein. Before you place yourself on a diet ask your Doctor for an appropriate diet. The diet has helped me. I also have other medical conditions. Keep us posted.

[Hidden]

Hello podo, my name is Larry. The website kidney.org says that you lose 1% of kidney function every year starting around age 45. At age 45 your GFR should be >= 90 so if you subtract 1% for each year, that should put you in the range of 45-59 which is the range for stage 3a. That is probably normal progression. Avoid taking any NSAID drugs such as Aleve or Motrin. For diet, you can go to the Fresenius or Davita websites and they will have advice on what to eat and what to avoid. Good luck to you and stay healthy. For 84, you're doing OK.

[edrauch]

I took was diagnosed last year with stage 3A at age76. My CFR dropped to 51 after years of being in the high 50s. I stopped all salt intake to the best of my ability, I'm watching saturated fats, and also watching my glucose level. With a stricter diet I was able to get off of blood pressure medicine and half of my cholesterol medicine. Also stop taking any type of pain medicine that I used to take for arthritis. The results are my CFR went back up to 66 within 6 months. I too have prostate problems but I stopped taking the temsolosin although everything I read that does not have anything to do with kidneys.

[RoxanneKidney]

Take care of the enlarge prostate. At your age 3a is normal. Don't eat meat if you want to last longer.