Stage 3b-4 kidney disease

[april201954]

my name is melody. My gfr just dropped to 28 and my creatinine jumped to 1.94ml. This is just from July. I’m a diabetic and never thought it would happen to me. I don’t want to die. My grandchildren just lost their mom, my daughter I don’t want to leave them. I’m so scared! Please help me. I will take care of myself

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Check out kidneyschool.org

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

So sorry for your loss. What was your GFR in July? CKD is diagnosed with multiple tests over time. It is not unheard of to have a low reading one test and it is improved the next. Drink water the day before a test and then some before, but not too much on the day of the test. Being dehydrated makes a big difference.

If you take control of your CKD and diabetes, you will be fine. My recommendations is to see a nutritionist or dietician for support and help. Changing up what you eat will make a big difference. There are nuisances for people with diabetes and CKD that working with a professional who is equipped with knowledge of both can help you with. Have your pharmacist review your medications to make sure all the medications you are on are kidney safe. Take you diabetes drugs and insulin if you are on any. Getting your sugar under control is crucial. If you smoke, stop. If you drink, limit it or stop. Alcohol and diabetes don't mix. If you are taking ibuprofen, stop. Drink water, not soda or lots of caffeinated drinks. Lower you protein consumption.... meat and chicken and fish. Look for whole foods, not processed like canned or premade frozen foods.

It takes work, but it is doable. Talk with a nephrologist who you like and trust. I have been at stage 4/5 for almost five years now. We are here for you so ask questions.

[milo_miller in reply to Bassetmommer]

Hello

I will have blood test tomorrow morning. When and how much water should I drink before the test to have more accurate test results, especially for creatinine?

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

The day before, drink water throughout the day. Before the test, maybe 8 -12 ounces, if it is the am. You don't want to be too hydrated as that will skew the results as well. Skip the coffee as that is a diuretic. Being hydrated also helps the with the blood draw as your veins will be plumber.

Also do not do strenuous exercise the day before as that will raise your creatinine. Strenuous means causing you to sweat a lot.

[milo_miller in reply to Bassetmommer]

thanks a lot!

[Darlenia]

Oh my! I feel deeply for you and what you are going through - you have so much on your plate. My husband is a T2D who lost his kidneys, went into dialysis, and a year later received a transplant at age 71. When he first was told that the situation wasn't good, I assumed he was about to die. But he's here...doing well today! So please set aside the fear and know that science, possibly even a transplant, will be there for you when that need arises even though one may be a senior citizen. Naturally, it's always best to have your very own body working for you! In T2D, it's the glucose that takes out the blood vessels inside kidneys that are important for filtering out toxins, etc. That same problem - glucose attacking the blood vessels - can also put T2Ds at risk for amputations, blindness, heart attacks and more. So it's exceptionally important to send glucose back to the normal range by limiting sugars and carbs (which turn to sugar). Sadly, our society has become casual about diabetes, but it's a very serious problem. Damage to kidneys by diabetes can't be reversed, but it can be stopped from progressing by taking one's diet in hand. (And, of course, drinking adequate amounts of water, not using aspirin based products, and more can help as well.) Unfortunately, my husband waited too long to modify his diet to stave off kidney collapse, but he continued reduce his sugar and carb intake, forced his A1Cs into the normal range, and got off all diabetes meds, including insulin, while on dialysis. You still have time to do this and save your kidneys, so reach out to your nephrologist and/or primary doctor and ask for their direction regarding your glucose levels and your diet, etc. sooner than later. I'm very glad you're interested in turning your situation around. Sending you lots of encouragement for your success!

[Blackknight1989]

Most medical guidelines suggest a decline of about 1% every 10 years so it is very possible you’ll never get to stage 5. Regardless I’ve been stage 4 since 1996 so I’ve lived the majority of my adult life in stage 4. It’s a life-altering diagnosis but NOT life-ending so I would suspect you’ll get to watch your child become an adult. Just get to a nephrologist and be vigilant in working with your doc. I would also recommend becoming as educated as possible about your CKD as most of the physicians are not well educated including the specialists so it would behove you to learn as much as possible about our shared disease to help ensure treatment provided are correct and beneficial. Just my opinion and good luck in your journey with this disease!