My 76 yr old S African brother was diagnosed in Sept 2024 with Stage 3 Chronic Kidney (Renal) Failure. He's Type 2 Diabetic & also on anti-hypertensive medication. Otherwise well but shocked & overwhelmed with information overload by me in Australia where the CKF landscape is quite different. He had never been told of diabetic dietary restrictions nor Glucometers although he's been on Metformin apparently for years. His T1 Diabetic family friend gave him a Glucometer. Now he has to contend with renal failure restrictions as well. I told him the basics of controlling his Blood Sugar Levels ie Low carbs, weight loss & exercise. To preserve kidney function would mean restricting protein, potassium, salt, & phosphorus I believe, with adequate fluid intake.
By Dec 2024 he'd lost 4Kg, HbA1C improved from 9.1 to 6.6%, but sadly his Creatinine increased from 197 to 239umol/L & GFR 30 to 24mls/min. Both his family doctor & the Specialist he saw apparently just advised him to get Medical Aid insurance because he will need Dialysis as kidney failure is irreversible. Metformin was changed but nothing about lifestyle changes. His family doctor did not know of any dietitian to recommend. He found a Dietitian with experience in CKF via Google & she's been helpful in navigating meals. I told him where he could buy Slendier Konjac rice in Cape Town & maybe the wide range of pastas available in Australian Supermarkets. His Dietitian checked the product & gave it the tick of approval. Now I'm looking for a Support Group hopefully in S.Africa who know the ropes there to assist him on this journey.🙃 (Smiley from Down Under)
My mom
Calcific Tendonitis
Depression in dialysis patients 
chronic Kidney failure 4 smoking 
