I am wondering how those at stage 5 are feeling since you aren’t on dialysis.

[KGsrKGsr]

Stage 5 no dialysis yet

[Bassetmommer]

I see you are back asking many, many questions. It is hard to respond to you as no one seems to know where you are coming from. What stage ARE you? In one post you said you had a GFR of 89. That is not stage 5, it is high end stage 2 almost stage one. Now you are saying you are stage 5? I would really and strongly suggest that you speak to your health care team and seek counseling that would be specific to your needs.

[KGsrKGsr in reply to Bassetmommer]

Please don’t feel obligated to reply to me. I was told I could communicate with the group. I am just asking questions I have in reply to other posts. Many people are saying they are stage 5 with no dialysis yet and I wondered how they are feeling and what symptoms they may have. I am just participating.

[Shelbert66 in reply to KGsrKGsr]

My personal experience was; I felt fine. I've always had kidney issues my whole life. I born with just a single kidney. So I've been hyper aware of my health all the time. I worked & carried on with life.I lived many years (20+) on 20% kidney function. I faithfully had my 6 month checkups, for a long time nothing changed. I was (& still am) highly susceptible to getting UTIs. A sinus infection would turn into a UTI, due to the "bad" cells attack the weakest system. I ended up in the hospital on IV antibiotics many times because I tried to tough it out. I finally got a very good GP Doc!!!!!!

He told me to come see him immediately when I started feeling even the slightest symptoms. That was my miracle in disguise. I went a nice long time having a life, a job, etc.

Finally, unfortunately, 8 years ago things changed dramatically. I went to see my Dr. with my usual sinus infection. I'd been feeling weak & tired for a couple weeks, I thought it was simply due to the extra work load because of being short staffed at my job.

As soon as my bloodwork came back, Doc was very upset & told me I need to see a nephrologist RIGHT NOW. He & his nurse got on the phone & got me in the next day!!!!! The nephrologist did all the tests again.

It wasn't good news. My single kidney was worn out & I needed to start dialysis asap.

That process is a whole other story!!

A long rambling answer to a simple question. I felt good, I feel good on dialysis. Some dialysis days are harder than others, once again that's a whole other story.

I should write a book LOL!!!!

[Sophiebun11 in reply to KGsrKGsr]

Since you are NOT stage 5 and have an egfr of between 86 and 68 you've changed it before and say you're stage 5 then when called on it you say you aren't.

There is no need for you to even be in the dialysis forum asking ridiculous questions.

Are you writing a newspaper article or are you having anxiety? If the former you should be transparent, if the later you need counseling.

I am participating too, and I see you for who you are and what you are doing.

[Oceanviewed]

I am late stage 4, GFR 17 and most days I feel fine. Tend to get tired very quickly and have sleeping issues but otherwise OK. Hope that gives you hope for the journey ahead of you

[KGsrKGsr in reply to Oceanviewed]

Are you on dialysis? Are you on meds or special diet?

[Oceanviewed in reply to KGsrKGsr]

Not on dialysis. Follow a mainly renal diet tho I cheat from time to time. Meds for blood pressure and a diuretic for swollen feet and legs. Get a blood draw every month because nephrologist says things can change at any time but so far so good. Keep asking questions. Feeling supported is really important. I also belong to a website called Health Unlocked which I find very supportive.

[mingmiley]

I was throwing up a lot, always had migrain , sleepy a lot until finally I saw things doubled then I went to my nephrologist, he he immediately on that same day put a catheter on my chest and I got my first dialysis treatment.