Overlapping symptoms - new to CKD

[SteveBass]

Hi, FIrst post on here, so hello to you all.

The reason I'm posting on here is that I had blood tests done as a result of being refered for Urgent cancer screening as I have lost nearly 2 stone over 4 months (16st to 14st 4lb) It's a red flag apparently. The kidney function blood results came back with a eGFR of 49 so was flagged as borderline kidney issues.

I originally saw the GP over 2 months ago (first time in 5 years!) about red eye and cloudy vision in the mornings which turned out to be due to high occular pressure. So I'm taking Fixapost eye drops now to manage that. The GP obviously picked up on the weight loss.

I did have some anxiety before I was referred but it really ramped up when he refered me. Since then my main problem has been lack of sleep. I can get off to sleep OK most of the time but now wake up a lot during the night.

To throw another thing into the pot, another blood test showed I have folic acid deficiency. I've been taking tablets for that now for the last week but understand it may take a few weeks for them to kick in.

So to get to the point, I have overlapping symptoms which can be related to anxiety, folic acid deficiency and Stage 3a kidney disease e.g lack of energy, feeling down, sleeping issues but not sure how much of it could be due to CKD?

I appreciate it's early days and I'm hoping that if cancer is ruled out and/or the folic acid tablets kick in, the anxiety will settle down.

In my previous life I have had 3 bouts of anxiety which all turned out to have no physical cause, just life issues and the last one 12 years ago tinnitus. So I know I'm very prone to anxiety which may well be the main cause of sleep problems (and weeing a lot at nightime).

Any thoughts? Anyone relate to this? Do I need to be more patient with the tests? Any suggestions on dealing with the sleep?

BTW, I had another renal function blood test 2 weeks after the first and that showed exactly the same eGFR of 49, so hopefully this is not an acute kidney issue. I'm not sure at which point I'll get refered to a kidney specialist, I have asked the GP that question but it sounds like there is no rush from them!

[nonna70]

Good morning. Many of us on here have multiple chronic health issues-not fun but there it is. You will need at least one more blood test in a month or so to have definite diagnosis of CKD. When first diagnosed or being screened many of us have felt anxious or depressed. Start learning about kidney disease; go to kidney.org and check out diet and many other things. I hope your cancer screening is clear; unfortunately mine is metastatic breast cancer. There are many reputable websites and lots of helpful, encouraging people on here. God bless you.

[SteveBass in reply to nonna70]

Thank you so much for your reply. Yes, it's early days I guess but it's difficult not to fret about it. I have changed my diet a lot over the last couple of months and avoided alcohol (except for the occasional one!). I'm also trying to keep up walking and doing stuff despite not feeling like it.

It's very hard not to get carried away with the what if's and avoid the negative spiral, but yes, there is still hope.

I really feel for those like yourself who have been confirmed with cronic illnesses. Going through the unknown, as it is at the moment, makes me appreciate what others go through much more now. Maybe there is a lesson for me in that.

Love to all reading this and yes, God bless.

[barbara55109]

Be sure to have blood work for anemia. Anemia often comes with CKD, but usually at a later stage. Also, your kidney's may be fine. The eGFR test is just one point in time and could be impacted by how much water you drank before you took the test. It takes repeat tests to diagnose CKD. Tiredness, anxiety, and insomnia are tied to many different conditions including just "life." Best wishes.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to barbara55109]

Good you mentioned anemia. I too have anemia along with CKD, which has stabilized with diet.

[SteveBass in reply to barbara55109]

Thanks Barbara. Well the blood tests did show up a deficiency in folic acid which I understand can lead to anemia. The GP said it might take a few weeks before I see any benefit of the folic acid tablets. My vitamin B12 levels were normal.

[barbara55109 in reply to SteveBass]

It's the hemoglobin and different cell counts I try to watch. I'm anemic and take iron everyday. I can't get rid of the anemia, but it isn't bad enough for transfusions or epo shots. So I'm stuck being tired.

[KajNybom]

Find a nephrologist and get them to put you on a diet and then stick to the diet. Its not as easy as it seems but I went off my diet and my GFR numbers plummeted. I wish you the best.

[SteveBass in reply to KajNybom]

Thanks. It's very early days but I have already been looking at my diet and trying to balance the potassium. We tend to eat fresh unprocessed food so that should keep the sodium down. The GP hasn't got around to addressing my diet, or referal to a nephrologist yet. As mentioned by nonna70 I think they want more repeat tests first.