Hello

[Heath13]

I was just diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease. I’ve been told it’s in stage 3, or at the moderate level. Feeling overwhelmed as I was born with just one kidney and was also just diagnosed with heart disease.

[S_dillow]

welcome home.you ll find support and information here

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Hi Heath, It can be overwhelming at first. Good news is there is lot to do to help yourself. Ask for a renal dietician referral and get a healthy diet that is loaded with good veggies and no processed food. There is a lot of information out there about the DASH diet which is a good start especially if you have heart disease. Make sure all your medications are safe and protective of the kidneys. There are good BP meds for CKD and then there are ones that are not so good. Do not take any ibuprofen anymore, if you were. And if you smoke, stop. And if you do not exercise, start. I do not want to overwhelm you with too much information so ask questions. The thing about CKD is that you the patient, can do much to slow and even stop the progression and also do good for your heart.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Bassetmommer]

Very true!

[Turtlepad513]

it is overwhelming and a lot of info is thrown at you. Be gentle and patient with yourself. My one recommendation is cut down salt consumption.

[Ziggydoodah]

Its ok to feel overwhelmed. You have a lot going on and it does knock you for six. I remember being quite nonchalant, when I was told my diagnosis. Three days later, I sat crying my eyes out for nearly three hours. I then found this community. I didnt post for months and just read as many posts as I could. Give yourself time to digest the news, lack your wounds and then just take one day at a time. Listen to the advice people on here give you. I find some of them more knowledgeable than my medical team. Also they are going through this journey too and have a better understanding of how you are feeling. You have got this. You are stronger than you think.

[seabreezegirl]

Read up on diet of what and what not to eat .

Go to DeVita website and look at good and bad foods.... .

Cabbage is good ,cherries and berries are good . Broccoli and Calliflower are good .

Chocolate, spinach , kale bananas , tomatoes ,avacodos , potatoes... none or only in very small amounts as very high in Potasium.

No sodas ( except A and W and Brages Root Beer ..once in a while ,)

Eat low salt ,low sugar ,bake and broil instead of frying foods .

I try whenever possable to buy and eat Organic as you kidney( s) do Not need pesticides.

Drink lots of clean filtered water . 💧

[OldTownhammock in reply to seabreezegirl]

Kidney kitchen is a good resource

[drmind]

After you stop being overwhelmed, know that you got this. You'll learn what you can do it to stop the progression of CKD. Stay in touch with this forum and you'll get lots of shared experiences and lots of support.

[seabreezegirl in reply to drmind]

Well not stop it , but slow it way down . CKD is progressive .

[drmind in reply to seabreezegirl]

Yes, sorry

[honeybug]

🙏🕊🤗

[nonna70]

Many of us are at stage 3 and have been there for various amounts of time. Also there are several new drugs that can help with the progression.

[seabreezegirl in reply to nonna70]

Losartan for blood pressure is protective for the kidneys .

[OldTownhammock]

I think You will have to modify your diet. I

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Heath,

As members of the community have told you below, and I agree,

your feelings are very normal.

When someone hears the words kidney disease, it's frightening, overwhelming and shocking of where to begin.

I would ask your nephrologist or PCP for a referral to a renal dietician, who will take a look at your labs and make suggestions which are appetizing, nutritious and kidney-friendly.

Kidney patients eat a low sodium( 1500-2000mg daily) low protein diet avoiding red meats, processed meats such as bacon, cold cuts and sausage. As well as processes foods such as canned soups.

Potassium found in rices, pasta and various vegetables are also key as well as phosphorus which found in dairy; not to be avoided, but modified and different choices made.

So eating cabbage, onions, cauliflower may be better than brussel sprouts which are high in potassium.

Just bear in mind that every patient is different with different dietary and medical needs.

Drinking water and avoiding NASID pain relievers as Advil, Aleve etc. is also important.

Here is a link to give you some direction:

nephcure.org/livingwithkidn...

The intent is to keep the kidneys as healthy as possible and slow down; stabilize progression.

It's a process which takes time to put the pieces together. Go one day at a time and stay as positive as you can.

Please feel free to reach out at anytime, it will all fall into place and you are among friends here.

Bet