Hopey.H

[KKKirkpatrick1]

Hi I'm a 64 Yr old lady and have CKD stage 3 also heart failure and diabetes 2, Mental health diagnosis, but apart from that I'm as fit as a fiddle 🎻. Seriously I'm scared to death and would like to find someone who would help me to manage my CKD better eg diet exercise. I don't have no one to discuss things with GP is hopeless. I am very interested to see how others manage. Thanks Hopey.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

When I was diagnosed with CKD , my Doctor put me on a diet based on blood work for sodium, potassium, phosphorus and protein. The diet has helped me. I also exercise. It has helped my condition.

[MinnadeParis]

as orangecity 41 said get a copy of your lab work. Look at your 3 P’s; for now try to download a kidney diet app to keep track of your food. Stay hydrated……drink water, and take salt out of your diet. Then find the best rated nephrologist in your area and book an appointment. It took me 3 months to get an appointment but I called every other day and asked if there was a cancellation. Don’t be disappointed if he doesn’t refer you to a dietitian, most don’t until later stages. But maybe bc of your diabetes he might. Stay on this site. There is a lot of very helpful information

Good luck.

[userotc]

After a nephrectomy 6.5y ago, my mum started a protocol designed by a qualified Nutritional Therapist including nutrition and lifestyle elements. Her eGFR gradually increased and stabilised at ~60 within 3y - from 36 at the outset. There were other health benefits too (often the case with Nutritional Therapy) including weight loss and ability to wean off BP medication.

Like you, her GP and nephrologist have been hopeless except for arranging monitoring tests (next ones soon 🤞🤞). But that's no big surprise since they are not trained or qualified in nutrition & lifestyle which are generally more useful than drugs for CKD.

[WildIris in reply to userotc]

I had a similar experience as your mum, though I did not use a nutritionist. Same type of lab and health results though.

[userotc in reply to WildIris]

So your results radically improved too but without Nutritional Therapy? If so, please outline how at least for others.

I assume from your brief reply that you also found medics hopeless which Is too common.

[oceansplash]

I'd strongly suggest checking facebook for ckd diet and support groups and you tube to learn more about your condition.

[drmind]

You have to diet to YOUR labs and YOUR medical conditions. Not all renal diet information would be appropriate for you. And, i understand that having both CKD and Diabetes together can complicate things. As one food approved for one should be avoided for the other. If at all possible try consulting with a rental dietitian for help.

[Darlenia]

It's not unusual for diabetes to lead to both heart disease and kidney disease. High glucose leads to the narrowing and stiffening of the blood vessels throughout the body. That's why diabetics can lose their eyesight, limbs, kidneys, heart, etc. Consequently, it's very important to control sugars and carbs (which turn to sugar). Items that produce high glucose are processed foods as well as staples such as flour, potatoes, rice, sugar, etc. Then, because those damaged blood vessels can lead to high cholesterol and more, it's important to also limit red meats and focus more on the white ones. Whenever the renal diet (with it's white bread, rice, and other recommendations) conflicts with the diabetes diet, the diabetes diet takes precedence. As others have said, please take a good look at your labs and see which areas need improvement and take it from there. My hubby, a T2D, was guided by his primary but he implemented the diet changes too late to prevent dialysis. However, he continued on even then and finally managed to rid himself from all diabetes meds and insulin. Later, he received a transplant. I have faith in you - I think you can accomplish great things too. Please find a great doctor (a primary, endocrinologist, nephrologist , dietician or nutritionist - someone who cares about you) for the support you need. Below is a link to the CDC which can help you, too, in finding resources. We care about you.

cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/d....

[Reese4]

When I began a kidney health diet I learned it is indeed not appropriate for other diagnosis like heart failure. Drinking a lot of water and other fluids put me in the hospital where I was found to have diastolic heart failure. Then put on a cardio diet which is pretty much the opposite of the renal diet. Also I was instructed to lower my fluid intake to 1.5L total to keep my heart from straining to pump the excess fluid. It does get confusing while we're forced to choose which organ to protect. I've chosen my heart. 🙃

Oh, I should add my gfr is 58-60 and creatinine is .9-1 so not too bad at this point.

[Miss-guineapig in reply to Reese4]

Sounds like you are so in control, and coping well. . My egfr and creatinine is practically the same as yours. I am only recently diagnosed with stage 3a. Being a retired nurse, even for me its taken a lot of reading to work out what I can eat and amount of fluid. Thank you for your post x