gfr declined from 61 to 45 within a years time

[Vcr1406]

Last October, my creatinine was 1.02 with gfr of 53…fasting. In December creatinine was 1.12 with gfr of 48…fasting In April of this year creatinine was .99 with gfr of 61…fasting In Oct of this year, creatinine was 1.28 with gfr of 45. The last test score concerns me. I am 72 years old, female, with normal blood pressure. I am not diabetic. However, I do eat a lot of protein and the last gfr reading, I had breakfast before test consisting of turkey bacon and toast. I didn’t know doctor was going to test kidney function. Also, for the past 6 months I have been taking 40 mg daily of pantoprazole for GERD. I have since switched to famotidine and am doing a plant based diet. Doctor wants to recheck in a few months and recommended lots of water daily. I drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water every day. Is there anything else I can do to improve the test scores? Thank you.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Here is a link from National Kidney Foundation on the eGFR. Education is important and also being proactive. Perhaps a CKD diet could be something to discuss with your Doctor.

kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr

[Vcr1406 in reply to orangecity41]

Thank you for responding. I am already proactive and am taking charge of my health. I am already trying to do a plant based diet and controlling sodium.

[userotc in reply to Vcr1406]

Good that you're improving diet (and hopefully lifestyle). The great thing about CKD (!) is that nutrition and lifestyle are much better than drugs (see my answer a few mins ago to april 201954). Your proposed changes should hopefully demonstrate that so may encourage you to do similar for GERD etc, as below.

I presume you switched PPIs because of the likelihood of kidney damage with your 1st one (link below)? Whilst it's replacement appears better, why take the risk? I managed to help my sister's partner recover from GERD with a drug-free, personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan. You may be able to do likewise via a Nutritional Therapist.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Vcr1406 in reply to userotc]

Thank you for your reply. I have significantly reduced my stomach meds but it isn’t just for GERD. I have a significant esophageal stricture and have to be stretched once a year. I eat small meals and portions and stay away from spicy foods and chocolate.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Vcr1406]

I too have an esophageal stricture which have stretched when needed.

[Darlenia in reply to Vcr1406]

Be careful about your sodium, it's an electrolyte needed for proper cardiac function. If sodium is in the normal range, it's best to keep it there. I reduced my sodium to be supportive to my husband who had high blood pressure and kidney disease. I didn't realize I was severely lacking in sodium until I wound up passing out several times in a row in a restaurant. Sodium (and chloride) data is generally listed on lab reports.

[Vcr1406 in reply to Darlenia]

My sodium is normal. As a matter of fact all my labs are normal except for kidney function. I have no protein in my urine. The low gfr seems to coincide with taking pantoprazole which I have now stopped taking. I will have test re run after the first of the year and we will see what happens then. I realize that gfr fluctuates even in people without cold so I am not panicking. My doctor is concerned enough to insist on multiple follow up appointments.

[Vcr1406 in reply to Vcr1406]

oops. Meant ckd not cold. Lol

[Darlenia in reply to Vcr1406]

Good! It seems your doctor is on top of things and hopefully matters will be resolved soon.